Organising a careers forum or company forum is a valuable opportunity to bring together companies, professionals and candidates (students, job seekers, employees). This event encourages exchange, networking and the sharing of experience. To ensure its success, it is crucial to structure the event properly and anticipate every stage.
Here are the main stages in designing an effective and impactful forum.
Summary
1. Define the forum’s objectives
Before you start organising, it’s important to clarify your objectives. Is it to help students find their bearings, to promote a professional sector or to help with recruitment? This definition will directly influence the format and communication strategy. The objectives of your forum may include:
- Facilitating professional integration: Presenting job opportunities and helping to better understand the job market and the different career paths
- Enhancing the image of companies: enabling employers to make themselves more attractive to talented people and future trainees
- Encourage exchanges and networking: create a structured framework for meetings between recruiters, teachers and candidates
- Providing educational content: offering conferences and workshops on careers, in-demand skills and the best strategies for positioning yourself on the job market.
2. Choose the right format and date
The format of the forum must match the expectations of the audience. A face-to-face event facilitates direct, immersive interaction, while an online forum broadens the audience and simplifies the planning of meetings between students and recruiters. A hybrid format can combine the two approaches to maximise the effect you’re looking for.
As for the choice of date, it is essential to avoid periods of high academic activity or holidays. Also, make sure it doesn’t coincide with other similar events to maximise participation and participant satisfaction.
3. Choose a venue or a digital solution
If the forum is a face-to-face event, choose a central, accessible space with sufficient facilities to accommodate participants, stands and conferences. The layout should be designed to encourage interaction and make it easy to get around.
For an online forum, it is essential to choose a fluid and interactive platform, offering tools such as live chat, webinars and business appointment management to create an effective connection between the players present. However, it is important to have a good quality WiFi network to avoid connection problems that could affect the satisfaction of participants.
4. Get companies and stakeholders involved
The involvement of companies and experts is a key factor in the success of your forum. To attract the right partners, highlight the benefits of their participation: increased visibility, recruitment opportunities and direct interaction with students and young talent. Here are a few strategies for engaging your forum’s stakeholders.
- Target relevant stakeholders: Large companies, start-ups, training organisations and schools.
- Offer a variety of formats: Conferences, job demonstrations, coaching sessions and testimonials from teachers.
- Anticipate their participation: Contact them in advance and help them prepare for the event with a fact sheet explaining their expectations.
5. Design an attractive programme
A good programme captures the attention and maintains the interest of participants by offering a balance of practical information, case studies and interactive discussion. It should be dynamically structured to keep participants engaged. There can be many activities. Here are a few examples:
- Conferences and round tables: Deciphering market trends and promising sectors.
- Interactive workshops: CVs, interview preparation, career advice, etc.
- Networking areas: Facilitating connections between students and recruiters
- Company pitches: Presentation of values and recruitment opportunities
6. Manage registration and logistics
Smooth management of registrations and logistics is essential to ensure that everything runs smoothly on D-day. Anticipate material requirements, organise access and optimise space allocation to avoid confusion and ensure a secure environment. To achieve this, there are a few measures to put in place.
- Online registration platform: Simplify the collection of information and manage confirmations
- Badges and physical supports: Quickly identify participants and speakers
- Optimised traffic plan: Make it easier to get around the event site
7. Communicate effectively about the event
Well-targeted communication is essential to attract participants and partners. Use a combination of media to maximise visibility and generate interest before, during and after the event. Here are a few communication tools to help you do just that:
- Dedicated website: Practical information, programme and registration
- Social networks: Announcements, speaker interviews, video teasers
- Emailing: Follow-ups and personalised invitations
8. Ensure a smooth experience for participants
On the big day, everything must be done to ensure that visitors have a smooth and enjoyable experience. A good framework helps to avoid friction points and ensure intuitive navigation in the space. Here are our best practices to help you do just that:
- Clear signage: Indicate the different areas and conferences
- A warm welcome: A team available to guide you and answer your questions
- Technical assistance: Rapid help in the event of digital or logistical problems
By following this practical guide, you can organise a darts tournament without forgetting anything. Whether you are an individual or an association, the key to success lies in anticipation.
Weezevent offers organisers of job fairs a complete solution including secure access control, intuitive online ticketing to manage registrations, advanced CRM tools to optimise the experience of participants and the management of your staff and accreditations.
