Virtual Hiring Event: What Is It & How to Host in 2024

The past few years have witnessed a significant shift in the way companies recruit talent. The rise of remote work and the global pandemic have accelerated the adoption of virtual hiring events as a safe, efficient, and cost-effective way to connect with qualified candidates.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide, exploring the virtual hiring event meaning, including what they are, how they work, and the different types available. We’ll also delve into the key steps involved in hosting a virtual hiring event and introduce Meetaverse as the ideal platform for your needs.

What is a Virtual Hiring Event?

A virtual hiring event is an online platform that mimics the experience of a traditional job fair or career fair. It allows companies to showcase their brand, connect with potential candidates, conduct interviews, and collect resumes – all within a virtual environment. These events leverage various technologies like video conferencing, chat rooms, and interactive booths to facilitate communication and engagement between employers and job seekers.

​​How Does a Virtual Hiring Event Work?

Virtual hiring events seamlessly blend technology, purpose-built platforms, and specific functionalities to replicate and enhance the traditional recruitment process. To understand how do virtual hiring events work, it’s essential to break down the process:

1. Technology integration: Virtual hiring events leverage advanced technology to facilitate interactions between recruiters and candidates. Integrating video conferencing, AI-driven matchmaking, and interactive features creates a dynamic online environment.
2. Dedicated platforms: Specialized virtual hiring event platforms, such as Meetaverse, are the backbone of virtual hiring events. These platforms provide a digital space where recruiters can set up booths, conduct interviews, and engage with potential candidates. 
3. AI-driven matchmaking: Artificial intelligence analyzes candidate profiles and job requirements to create tailored connections. This matchmaking process enhances efficiency by presenting recruiters with a curated pool of candidates, saving time and ensuring better matches.
4. Video interviewing: Virtual hiring events incorporate live video interviews, allowing recruiters to connect with candidates in real-time. This feature mirrors traditional face-to-face interactions, providing a personal touch to the hiring process while overcoming geographical constraints.
5. Interactive features: To foster engagement, platforms include interactive elements such as live chat, Q&A sessions, and virtual networking opportunities. Recruiters can engage with candidates in real-time, answering queries and providing insights into company culture.

Virtual Hiring Events vs Traditional In-person Recruiting

While both methods aim to connect companies with potential hires, virtual hiring events offer several key differences compared to traditional in-person recruiting:

Types of Virtual Hiring Events

Types of virtual hiring events showcase the diverse applications of this innovative recruitment approach. Let’s explore some virtual hiring event examples:

1. Virtual career fair: A large-scale online event featuring numerous companies from diverse industries. This format allows candidates to explore a wide range of career opportunities in a single platform, maximizing their exposure to potential employers. On the other hand, companies benefit from reaching a vast pool of talent from across the globe and showcasing their brand to a wider audience. For example, National Virtual Career Fair hosted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) connects students and graduates with top employers across various industries.
2. Virtual recruitment events: Focused online events designed to attract and connect with candidates for specific companies or industries. These events offer a more targeted approach than large-scale career fairs, allowing companies to tailor their messaging and attract a more relevant audience. 
3. Virtual onboarding: An online program designed to welcome and integrate new hires into the company culture and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in their roles. Virtual onboarding can be conducted on a remote onboarding platform before, during, and after the first day of employment, offering a flexible and convenient approach to acclimating new hires. To ensure the successful integration of your new hires, it’s imperative to follow the remote onboarding process diligently. By adhering to the structured approach, you can effectively orientate your employees to their roles, foster a sense of belonging within the company, and equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in their new positions.
4. Virtual information sessions: Online presentations conducted by company representatives to provide potential candidates with in-depth information about the organization, career opportunities, and company culture. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity for candidates to learn more about the company and ask questions directly. Many companies, like EY, host virtual information sessions to provide insights into their organization and career opportunities for students and graduates.
5. Workshops and webinars: Educational sessions delivered online, focusing on specific topics relevant to the industry, company, or job roles. These sessions can be used to assess candidate skills, provide training and development opportunities, and generate interest in potential hiring opportunities. 

Hubspot, a marketing and sales software company, frequently hosts virtual workshops on various topics relevant to their industry. These interactive workshops involve presentations, live demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, allowing participants to develop practical skills and gain valuable knowledge. For instance, Amazon Web Services (AWS) frequently hosts webinars on various topics related to cloud computing. These webinars typically involve presentations from AWS experts, followed by Q&A sessions, allowing participants to gain valuable knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in cloud technology. 

How to Host a Virtual Hiring Event

Planning and executing a successful virtual hiring event requires careful consideration and preparation. Here’s a detailed step-by-step virtual hiring event guide to help you navigate the process, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for both you and your potential candidates:

1. Define your goals and objectives

Before diving in, clearly define what you hope to achieve with this virtual event. Are you aiming to:

• Fill specific job openings: Identify and connect with qualified candidates who possess the skills and experience necessary to excel in your open positions.
• Generate a talent pool for future opportunities: Build a network of potential hires interested in your company and future positions, allowing you to tap into a pre-vetted pool of candidates when new roles arise.
• Increase brand awareness: Showcase your company culture, mission, career paths, and employer brand to a broader audience, attracting top talent and fostering positive perceptions of your organization.
• Engage with industry professionals: Connect with relevant individuals for networking or potential partnerships, expanding your professional network and fostering valuable connections within your industry.

Once your goals are established, use them to guide every aspect of your planning and execution. This includes tailoring your content, selecting appropriate marketing channels, and determining key metrics to measure the success of your event based on your specific objectives.

2. Choose the Right Virtual Event Platform

Select a virtual hiring event platform that caters to your specific needs and offers functionalities that support your goals. Look for features like:

• Interactive features: Video conferencing,virtual breakout rooms, chat functionalities, file sharing, live polling, and gamification in recruitment capabilities to keep attendees engaged and make the experience interactive.
• Scalability: The platform should be able to handle the expected number of attendees and interactions without encountering technical difficulties, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved.
• User-friendliness: Ensure the platform is intuitive and easy to navigate for both attendees and organizers. A user-friendly interface streamlines the registration process, participation, and overall event management.
• Cost: Choose a platform that aligns with your budget and offers various pricing options if available. Consider factors like the number of expected attendees, event duration, and desired features when evaluating pricing models.

Meetaverse: Elevate Your Virtual Hiring Events

Meetaverse stands out as a powerful virtual event platform specifically designed to provide a seamless and engaging experience for both organizers and attendees of virtual hiring events. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including:

• Customizable virtual booths: Showcase your company and job openings in interactive booths you can personalize with branding elements, videos, downloadable materials, and even live chat functionalities for real-time engagement with attendees. This allows you to create a visually appealing and informative space that reflects your company’s unique brand identity.
• Immersive video conferencing: Conduct live interviews and connect with candidates face-to-face within the platform. This fosters a more personal and engaging experience compared to traditional video conferencing tools, allowing you to build rapport with candidates and assess their soft skills more effectively.
• Dynamic breakout rooms: Facilitate smaller group discussions, networking sessions, or targeted presentations for specific candidate groups within the virtual environment. This allows you to tailor the experience to different candidate segments and create opportunities for more focused interactions.

Explore the full potential of Meetaverse’s features by scheduling a personalized demo. Witness firsthand how our platform can elevate your virtual hiring events, providing unparalleled engagement and efficiency. 

3. Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy

Once you’ve chosen your platform and defined your goals, it’s time to create a buzz around your event. Promote your virtual hiring event through various channels, including:

• Social media: Share engaging content about your company, the event, and the available positions on your company’s social media platforms. Utilize relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and attract potential candidates actively searching for jobs on social media.
• Career website: Create a dedicated landing page on your careers website with event details, registration information, links to relevant resources, and clear instructions on how to participate. This serves as a central hub for all event-related information and streamlines the registration process for attendees.
• Job boards: List your event on relevant job boards, targeting boards specific to your industry or location to reach candidates actively seeking opportunities in your field.
• Targeted email marketing: Send targeted email campaigns to your company network, talent pool, alumni groups, and relevant professional communities. This allows you to reach out to a pre-qualified audience and leverage existing relationships to attract potential candidates.
• Industry publications: Consider advertising your event in industry publications or online communities frequented by your target audience. This can help you reach a wider audience within your specific industry and attract individuals who may not be actively searching for jobs but are open to new opportunities.

4. Plan engaging event content and format

Customize your virtual hiring event format to best achieve your goals and engage your target audience. Consider incorporating elements such as:

• Compelling company presentations: Showcase your company culture, mission, values, and unique selling points in a captivating manner. Highlight what sets your company apart and why candidates should be interested in working with you. Consider incorporating video testimonials from employees or short, engaging stories that illustrate your company culture and values in action.
• Live Q&A sessions: Allow attendees to ask questions directly to company representatives and hiring managers in real-time. This fosters transparency, allows candidates to gain valuable insights, and provides an opportunity for you to address any concerns or clarify information.
• Pre-recorded video content: Share pre-recorded interviews with company leaders, employee testimonials, or videos showcasing your company culture and work environment. This allows you to offer valuable information asynchronously, catering to attendees who may not be able to attend the entire live event.
• Interactive activities: Include interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or gamified activities to keep attendees engaged, gather valuable data about their interests and skills, and make the event more memorable.

5. Pre-event preparations

• Ensure technical readiness: Thoroughly test your chosen platform to guarantee everything functions smoothly. This includes testing video conferencing, chat functionalities, breakout rooms, and any other features you plan to utilize during the event.
• Prepare necessary materials: Gather and prepare all materials you’ll need for the event, such as presentations, handouts, FAQs, and downloadable resources for attendees. Ensure the materials are visually appealing, informative, and aligned with your event goals and target audience.
• Train your team: Train your team members who will be participating in the event, including company representatives, recruiters, and any personnel assisting with technical aspects. Provide them with training on the platform, how to answer common candidate questions, and their specific roles and responsibilities during the event.
• Communicate effectively: Develop a well-defined communication plan for attendees. Send pre-event emails with clear instructions on registering, logging in, and using the platform, along with the event agenda, Q&A guidelines, and any other relevant information.

6. Host and manage your virtual hiring event effectively

• Be present and engaged: Actively participate in the event and be present throughout to engage with attendees and answer their questions. This demonstrates your commitment to the event and creates a welcoming atmosphere for participants.
• Monitor and respond: Monitor chat rooms, breakout sessions, and Q&A sessions, addressing any questions or concerns promptly and ensuring all participants have opportunities to participate and receive the information they need.
• Moderate discussions: Moderate Q&A sessions and discussions effectively, ensuring everyone has a chance to voice their questions or opinions while maintaining a respectful and professional environment.
• Collect information: Utilize the platform’s functionalities to collect resumes, contact information, and feedback from interested candidates. This information is crucial for following up with potential hires and improving future events.

7. Post-event follow-up

• Express gratitude: Send a personalized thank-you email to all attendees for their participation and engagement in the event. This shows your appreciation for their time and interest in your company.
• Engage with potential hires: Follow up with potential candidates who expressed interest in your company or specific positions. Schedule individual interviews, provide additional information, or invite them to connect with your team on relevant professional platforms.
• Gather feedback: Collect feedback from attendees and organizers through surveys or questionnaires. This valuable data allows you to assess the effectiveness of your event, identify areas for improvement, and tailor future virtual hiring events for even greater success.

The landscape of recruitment is rapidly evolving, and virtual hiring events have emerged as a powerful tool for connecting with top talent in a flexible, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Ready to experience the potential of successful virtual hiring events firsthand? Explore Meetaverse today by scheduling a personalized demo and discover how our platform can transform your recruitment strategy. Unleash the possibilities of virtual hiring and connect with the talent you need to thrive in the dynamic business world.