How to conduct and present yourself at a recruiting event
If you are planning to attend a recruiting event, here a few tips that will help your experience become a success!
Booth Etiquette: How to Conduct Yourself at a Recruiting Event (full-size PDF for download)
Do this:
- Arrive early.
It is distracting to your recruiting colleagues and disrespectful to your applicants if you are not prepared to start on time. - Be aware of your booth space.
Be courteous to your recruiting neighbors by planning your displays appropriately and sharing resources, such as power cords and outlets. - Understand the traffic patterns for your booth.
Be sure to keep you line of applicants within your booth space so you don't infringe upon another organization's space. - Meet your neighboring recruiters and understand what type of candidates they are recruiting.
You might be able to send candidates who are not a good fit for your organization to another recruiters' table. Hopefully, he/she will reciprocate! Win-win! - Be professional.
You are "on stage" the moment you drive up to the event. Make sure you are kind, welcoming, and approachable.
Don't do this:
- Chew gum or eat in the booth.
Hide food and beverages out of sight. - Leave early.
It is disheartening to potential applicants to see your booth empty during event hours. - Be derogatory about any other organization, recruiter, or candidate.
You need to be genuine about why your organization is a wonderful fit for your candidate, but never bash the competition. You never know when they may become your collaborator! - Forget to say 'thank you' to the event sponsor.
This event is an opportunity for you to recruit fabulous talent; show appreciation for the planners that facilitate the event by saying 'thank you' and completing their post-event survey.