Virtual Career Fairs – The Future of Hiring

Career, Jobs — By 88DB Knowledge on July 31, 2012 11:43 am

With the online world closing the gap between time, places and people, it’s no wonder then that employers in MNCs are looking to jump on the digital bandwagon for manpower. Globalisation is a reality and several companies look beyond their shores for talent and expansion.

What is a virtual career fair?

A virtual career fair (or online job fair) is basically an online platform of a traditional job fair. However, thanks to technology, it allows organisations to be able to tap into foreign markets without needing a physical presence there first. It also allows the job fair to “travel” and target different markets internationally at little cost.

Virtial Career Fairs

How does it work?

The rules of the game are the same as any other job fair, with the exception of a requiring a physical booth. The timings for talks and Q&A sessions will vary too, depending on which side of the world you’re on.

Basically, a company that is hiring will set up a “virtual booth” where candidates can sign up to get more information and participate in talks or programs online at a specific time set. These booths will generally be set up on a targeted platform. For example, if you’re in the accounting and finance industry, you can sign up at ICPAS (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore) and peruse their e-Careers exhibition. Institutes of Higher Learning such as NTU (National Technological University of Singapore) also offer platforms to connect their graduates with future employers.

Some companies also opt to use the virtual platform to support their booths at traditional career fairs as well. Representatives on the ground will provide more information and direct traffic to the online forums or talks being conducted where suitable candidates can have an in depth discussion with employers and other movers and shakers within the organisation. Candidates can also opt to sit-in on lectures or demonstrations being conducted virtually while projected onto a big screen.

What does it mean for the future of employment?

While it may not be the end of traditional job-fairs and job-searches anytime in the near future, it does mean exciting times ahead for both candidates and employers as it opens up the pool of talent and job opportunities. So if you’re looking for a job, be it here or offshore, then you might want to take your search online in more ways than one.

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