African American Job Seeker with a backpack and notebook

Virtual Candidate Engagement

By: Christina Van Dewater

There is abundant evidence that employers have benefitted from the time and cost savings of virtual events, but how can you make the experience better for candidates? Candidates are seeking virtual experiences that are humanized, transparent, and authentic. Candidates want to be engaged and have a unique experience they cannot get elsewhere when attending virtual events.

CareerEco recommends the following best practices for providing engaging experiences for candidates.

Personalize Event Specific Content

Take the time to create an organization profile geared towards your target candidates. Include pictures, videos, testimonials, and other information about recent hires and/or alumni to demonstrate organization culture and showcase what it is like to be an employee. Provide a point of contact, career website, and social media links. Encourage all recruiters to upload profile pictures and include their position titles.

Create a unique Room Name and Greeting to pique candidates’ interest in your organization. Include links on how candidates can learn more about your openings and apply directly. Upload documents candidates can download within your Room on event day.

Post current job or internship opportunities or offer links to career application websites.

Pre-schedule one-on-one Virtual Candidate Meetings

Organization Representatives can set up pre-scheduled meetings with registered Candidates, permitting scheduled one-on-one engagement throughout the virtual event. This added feature allows for Representatives to connect with Candidates who meet specific criteria of the recruiting Representative, in an interview-like format.

Representatives can easily create available time slots ahead of the event, and pre-schedule meetings with Candidates of interest. Within the scheduled meeting sessions, Representatives can utilize the Audio or Video tools, to engage directly with scheduled Candidates, in real-time.

The pre-scheduled one-on-one meeting feature offers a solution to Representatives who are interested in connecting with Candidates that meet their specific recruiting needs, in an effective and efficient format.  

Test the Virtual Platform Ahead of the Event

Organizations are strongly encouraged to practice on the platform prior to event day. The experience will be much smoother if you are familiar with the functions and features. Being well-prepared shows the candidates you are invested in learning about them!

Engage with Candidates on Event Day

Develop, promote, and present engaging content that is not available on the company website. Candidates expect to learn something they don’t already know (or can easily access online).

CareerEco offers video and audio tools for private one-on-one meetings, giving you the face-to-face interaction needed to have meaningful interactions. Organizations can also host a panel discussion or conduct a presentation in the main room for all candidates.

Connect with Candidates (Personal Outreach is Key!)

Target students of interest, and reach out in an authentic way that references specific interest in them as a potential candidate. Candidates are more likely to respond to personalized messages and dismiss mass generic forms of outreach.

CareerEco allows you to export all of the candidate information from the event according to keyword search criteria so you can continue engaging with candidates any time post-event. Before, during, and after an event, organizations can view a candidate’s resume, profile information, credentials, and other uploaded files.

Follow these tips to help you and your candidates have a more productive virtual experience.

Please reach out to events@careereco.com for additional assistance with preparing for a virtual event.