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Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Best Virtual Career Fair Software Platforms (Q1 2024)

The best career fair platforms for virtual and hybrid events, with expert insights into their key features, screenshots, prices, free trials, and best use cases.

Anh Nguyen
Written by
Anh Nguyen
No ads, just real software reviews. An independent writer and a bad BUT wholeheartedly enthusiastic dancer
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Last Updated: Feb 28, 2024
TOP
Flat rate for unlimited virtual job fairs per license
Premier Virtual
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Flat rate for unlimited virtual job fairs per license
Premier Virtual
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Online career fair platform with great automation features
Paradox
4.6
Popularity Score
4.8
User Score
4.9
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Online career fair platform with great automation features
Paradox
4.6
Popularity Score
4.8
User Score
4.9
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
One platform for onsite, virtual, and hybrid events
vFairs
4.2
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
One platform for onsite, virtual, and hybrid events
vFairs
4.2
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Virtual career fair platforms enable employers to host hiring events and connect with top talent in a virtual space. The recent shift toward remote and hybrid work means these platforms have become indispensable to many talent acquisition teams.

Our in-house HR tech experts have rounded up the best virtual career fair software options below. We’ve made sure to cover all the aspects that matter for these platforms, from customization and customer service to analytics and accessibility.

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Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Premier Virtual

: Flat rate for unlimited virtual job fairs per license

Paradox

: Online career fair platform with great automation features

vFairs

: One platform for onsite, virtual, and hybrid events

Adfire Health

: Affordable virtual career fair platform

Communique

: Highly flexible virtual hiring events platform

Eightfold

: AI-based virtual careers fair platform

VidCruiter

: Virtual career fair tool from a video interview leader

Radancy

: Virtual career fair platform with excellent customer service

GR8 People

: Virtual career fair platform with built-in CRM

Hopin

: All-in-one virtual career fair platform

Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

When choosing the best virtual career fair platforms, we’ve looked for ones that offer optimum user experience, candidate management and analytics, customization, and dedicated customer support. We sat through dozens of demos, conducted our own tests, listened to user feedback, and spoke to several industry experts before finalizing our recommendations.

  • User experience: Ease of use is vital for any virtual career fair platform. Recruiters should be able to effortlessly access candidate information, review CVs, and schedule interviews while candidates navigate the virtual career fair, audio, video, or text chat with recruiters, and explore relevant booths—using their preferred devices with ease.
  • Customization: We shortlisted platforms that enable you to showcase your company's branding in your hiring events. This includes the ability to feature your company logo and brand colors at events as well as customize exhibit layouts, messaging, and more.
  • Candidate management and analytics: We looked for platforms that allow you to track candidate attendance, their interactions with exhibitors, their interest in specific jobs, as well as score leads based on how they’ve engaged with your event, and gain insights on the performance of your event.
  • Dedicated customer support: There are a lot of moving parts and people involved in a virtual career event, and if it is your first one, you will need all the help you can get. That is why we chose platforms that offer dedicated support teams to tackle any technical challenges. They're there to assist you every step of the way, from designing and launching your first virtual career fair to troubleshooting issues as they come up.

For more details on our HR software vetting methods, check out this article.

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Compare the Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score

Premier Virtual

Most Popular
4.1
4.7
4.4

Paradox

Most Popular
4.6
Custom Pricing
No
1,300+ companies
4.8
4.9

vFairs

Most Popular
4.2
4.7
4.6

Adfire Health

Most Popular
4.1
3.6
4.1

Communique

Most Popular
4.0
4.8
4.2

Eightfold

Most Popular
4.1
Custom Pricing
Yes
800+ companies
4.4
4.1

VidCruiter

Most Popular
4.6
Custom Pricing
No
100,000+ users
4.7
4.8

Radancy

Most Popular
4.3
Custom Pricing
No
90+ companies
3.9
4.4

GR8 People

Most Popular
4.0
4.2
4.1

Hopin

Most Popular
4.5
4.5
4.7
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

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Detailed Reviews of the Best Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Premier Virtual

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Premier Virtual
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Premier Virtual

Premier Virtual's support is top-notch. It not only offers thorough training through docs and videos but a dedicated team to guide you from platform implementation to post-event. Premier Virtual is also one of the few solutions that provides native pre-recorded and live video interview features, a scheduler, and real-time event data.

PROS

  • Dedicated client success manager provides ongoing support and post-event calls for event evaluations.
  • Native screening tools include chat, 1:1, group video, and pre-recorded video interviews.
  • Option to make changes in real-time during the event.
  • 100+ booth design options.
  • Newly added Hiring Metric Tool allows users to automate follow-ups with candidates after events.
  • No limit to the number of events hosts can run simultaneously.
  • Extensive downloadable reports post-event.
  • Has a free trial.
  • ADA/508 compliant.

  • According to users, Premier Virtual's support team is extremely helpful and professional.
  • Customers especially like the flexibility that the product provides. You can easily set up different booths and customize them to reflect your brand, chat 1:1 with attendees, and make changes in real-time during the event. 
  • Premier Virtual's analytics dashboard provides users with valuable real-time feedback on how their booth is performing, the number of attendees, interactions, resumes received, and more.

CONS

  • No pre-screening knockout questions.
  • Supports English language only.
  • No native HR tool integration. Offers open API instead.

  • The platform does not allow employers to filter attendees and job seekers by parameters like skills, current role, and location. 
  • According to a few users, the user interface can be confusing to navigate and could use some improvement.
Premier-virtual-career-fair-platform-screenshot

Premier Virtual Review

Premier Virtual’s website might not boast the most modern look, but we’re pleased with how well the virtual career fair platform has been designed—it’s a clean and professional layout catering to both employers and event attendees.

We particularly appreciate the Training section it offers users on the dashboard. Accessing it provides all the necessary instructions, be it user guide docs, video tutorials, FAQs, or direct chats with Premier Virtual’s tech support. With this level of customer service, we can imagine hosting job fairs through the platform becomes second nature after a few tries. And let's not forget the booth design templates: You can now find over 100 of them, including some really good 3D backgrounds and avatars.

Unlike Radancy, Premier Virtual doesn’t have knockout questions that automate the pre-screening round for recruiters once attendees enter events. Nevertheless, the platform’s attention to its interviewing technology makes up for this. From chat and private video interviews to group calls, pre-recorded video interviews (only Premier Virtual and VidCruiter have this in-house), and scheduling, they strike just the right balance between simplicity and usefulness.

Premier Virtual’s reporting capabilities are impressive. The data is real-time, tracking everything from attendee numbers to booth visits, chats, and submitted resumes. Moreover, we loved how easy it was to download these statistics and review them with our assigned client success manager post-event. Spoiler alert: We think you’ll enjoy your meetings with them just as we did. They addressed every question we had and their insights into how we could improve our next events were truly spot on.

However, for Premier Virtual to be on par with solutions like vFairs or VidCruiter, it needs to support languages other than English.

Just like Communique, this vendor also lets us down by offering just one integration option: open API. Thankfully, with its newly launched Hiring Metric Tool (allowing users to track registered candidate employment status) and its handy report download options, tracking and syncing data on who got hired from events should not be much of a problem.

Premier Virtual Customers

Virginia Career Works, Catalyst Career Group, U.S Army, MassHire, FAU, Comfort Systems, CareerSource FL, and Nashville Technology Council.

Premier Virtual Pricing

Premier Virtual charges $2,500-$5,750 per event and around $15,500 for an annual license. Enterprise customers can request a custom quote. They also offer a free 30-day trial.

Best For

Premier Virtual is best suited for remote and hybrid businesses that frequently host virtual career fairs and online hiring events.

Premier Virtual in action
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Paradox

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Paradox
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Popularity Score
4.6 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.9 / 5

Why we picked Paradox

Paradox is mobile-first and lets users create virtual events within minutes. The AI acts as a sound event specialist that can assist with large-scale recruitment fairs, from event registrations to sending reminders and introducing job seekers to live recruiters.

PROS

  • Easy event registration via quick text conversation.
  • Native video interview tools, no additional software downloads needed.
  • Supports both one-time and recurring hiring events.
  • The AI responds to candidates in a personalized manner.
  • Available in 30+ languages for users and 100+ for job seekers.

  • Their implementation and customer service is very efficient and accessible. You will not only get a Customer Success Manager to help you with every step during your implementation phase but your issues will also likely be resolved within the same day. Unlike many vendors, you can contact their support team via phone and explain your issue in real-time. 
  • It’s very time-saving and cuts down on back-and-forth communication between job candidates and recruiters. As Derek B, Head of Recruitment at a large-sized enterprise puts it, “Olivia helped us shave our response time from 7 days to under 24 hours. This time saving ensured that the applicants we chose to interview were the best of the bunch.”
  • Olivia, their AI chatbot is programmed to respond to candidates in a way that feels personal, as if a real person is responding. What’s even better is that despite complete automation, you can see all chats and manually override them if need be.

CONS

  • Human involvement is required for nuanced answers in conversations.
  • Hyper-focused on conversation, lacks in-person event experience features.
  • Pricing is not transparent; no free trials either.

  • Although you can get some data and feedback about your company and its processes, analytics is not very robust in Paradox. If you’re looking for advanced features that let you slice and dice your data in various ways, you’ll have to look for other applications. 
  • Their AI assistant is intelligent and has a human touch but at the end of the day, Olivia is still AI. At times when you want nuanced answers in conversations, you’ll have to manually operate the chat.

Paradox Review

Paradox has built a virtual recruiting platform that allows companies to quickly create, market, and run hiring events. Olivia, the platform’s AI assistant, can take registrations, reminders, and prompt assistance to help attendees navigate through the event. Better yet, the AI can conduct pre-screens and answer candidate questions while they wait to talk to a recruiter.

Further, Olivia can answer questions in over 100 languages, which can be a huge plus for teams hiring globally who aim to deliver a good candidate experience. To add, the platform is quite generous when allowing businesses to run events without any restrictions on seats or users.

We also appreciate that the software has a dedicated support team to help out in the implementation process and that the workflow can be customized to the way customers want.

However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. While Paradox nails the conversational aspect of events with Olivia handling management and communications, there's a bit of a trade-off. The platform might not offer as much room for employers to design events that truly mimic in-person event experiences.

And as fantastic as Olivia is, it's best not to rely on her for every interaction with candidates. While the AI is thorough and can understand an array of languages, some nuances are best handled by humans, especially in highly specialized and niched job scenarios.

Paradox Customers

Houston Methodist, Regis Corporation, and McDonald's are some of Paradox’s customers.

Paradox Pricing

Paradox doesn’t disclose its pricing, so you need to book a demo with them for a custom quote.

Best For

Paradox conversational hiring events are best suited for large enterprises and global teams seeking 24/7 registration, automated mass interview scheduling, and a conversational approach to enhance their hiring events.

Paradox in action
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vFairs

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vFairs
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.6 / 5

Why we picked vFairs

With vFairs, you can host a career fair that’s easy to navigate with familiar life-like spaces. The platform is loved for its customization options, mobile compatibility, and highly-praised dedicated support that’s available 24/7 for employers and in-event troubleshooting for candidates.

PROS

  • Hosts engaging 3D virtual events with robust customization options.
  • Provides a user-friendly interface with mobile compatibility.
  • AI features for event marketing and content generation.
  • Live job board for advertising open positions.
  • Resume collection and candidate search at login.
  • Auto-matchmaking for quicker connections.
  • Built-in scheduling tool.
  • 24/7 dedicated support for employers and in-event troubleshooting for candidates.
  • Hosts large-scale virtual, onsite, and hybrid events.
  • Extensive customization options, including event venues, booths, and avatars.
  • Branded event mobile app available for various event-related activities.
  • vFairs' team offers hands-on assistance from onboarding to event conclusion, with product training and guidance.
  • Every vFairs event includes a dedicated customer service representative and project manager known for their responsiveness.
  • Positive participant feedback on event experience.
  • AI-powered event marketing tools for quickstart content generation.
  • Great integration capabilities.

CONS

  • Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is only shared in demos.
  • Learning curve due to the platform's feature-rich nature.
  • Users wish to have more control over the event setup and customization.
  • Integration with CRM and custom-branded domain costs extra.
  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • May take time to get the hang of all of vFairs’ features.
  • Event setup may be time-consuming, and some users prefer more independence in configuration.
  • Integration with CRM and custom-branded domain, while robust, will cost extra.

vFairs Review

vFairs has hosted 459 career fairs to date and steadily refined their offerings over time. The platform supports all event types: virtual, hybrid, and in-person—through the same backend. Better yet, they provide a mobile app that works offline.

One standout feature is the level of customization vFairs offers. You have the freedom to create a virtual corporate building with a stunning 3D lobby, create tailored booths for different departments, and fashion unique landing pages to attract more registrations.

vFairs places a strong emphasis on boosting employer visibility. They provide ad space through live job boards, and you can utilize social media walls and user-generated content to spread the word about your event.

To further assist employers, vFairs collects resumes during login. Their auto-matchmaking feature helps you meet interested candidates faster, and you can schedule interviews in advance right in the app. Interactive exhibit booths provide quick access to application details, while a dedicated project management team and 24/7 customer service ensure prompt support.

vFairs takes user experience seriously. Participants can add resources to their virtual swag bag and actively engage in live Q&A sessions and polls. The platform adds an element of excitement to your event with scavenger hunts, leaderboards, and games. To keep attendees well-informed, they provide email alerts and in-event troubleshooting for any issues or queries that may arise.

However, comes with vFairs' feature-rich nature and their constant product updates are a learning curve. They don't provide transparent pricing online, and there's no trial option. While their customization capabilities are impressive, you might need dedicated support for certain changes, and custom-branded domains and integration with CRM will cost extra.

vFairs Customers

vFairs caters to various industries, with a strong presence in non-profits, education, and events services. Notable clients include Water Unite, Vets Now, and FAIR Institute.

vFairs Pricing

vFairs' pricing is customized to your event. Contact their sales team for a quote.

Best For

vFairs' customer base is primarily made up of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States and the United Kingdom, although they also serve companies of various sizes and industries.

vFairs in action
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Adfire Health

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Adfire Health
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
3.6 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Adfire Health

Adfire Health’s virtual recruitment event platform is designed exclusively for Healthcare. It’s also one of a few vendors that offers built-in marketing tools for event promotion.

PROS

  • User-friendly for both employers and attendees.
  • Competitive starting price ($349/month plans).
  • Robust marketing tools (email, social, search engine, live calls, direct mail).
  • Quick event setup with Event Builder (under 6 minutes).
  • Features include scheduling, chat, call, video, and text.
  • Dedicated account management team for ongoing support.
  • Unlimited events on all plans.

  • The base price is lower (plans start at $349/month for unlimited events) than the vast majority of competitor platforms. 
  • Live Recruit isn't just a recruitment event solution, it offers omnichannel marketing via email marketing, paid social, search engine marketing, live calls, direct mail, etc. to promote your events. 
  • The Event Builder feature is very easy to use, as it allows non-tech users to build events in under 6 minutes by using page templates where you just need to fill data in. 
  • Unlike some other similar solutions, Live Recruit allows you to video chat with candidates on the platform without relying on third-party integrations.

CONS

  • Manual data export needed for ATS data transfers at certain plans.
  • Additional fees for extra recruiter seats.
  • Limited advanced design features for realistic event experiences.
  • Lack of self-service assistance via a knowledge base.

  • The starter and professional plan do not offer ATS integrations. This means you'll have to use the manual approach to export data to your preferred ATS. 
  • Live Recruit offers 1 to 3 recruiter seats out-the-box. If you want more you have to pay for additional permissions per event. So for companies with several recruiters, the costs will add up. 
  • The solution doesn't offer a support knowledge base to further simplify user navigation. If you need help finding anything you'd have to contact support.

Adfire Health Review

If you worry you may not get along fast enough with Adfire Health without any prior experience with virtual career fair platforms, worry not. Adfire Health has a very straightforward event builder tool and the landing page templates don’t disappoint. They look good and there are numerous custom field options. You add your company’s logo, choose your brand’s colors, and you’re all set. We tested this tool and couldn’t be happier with how things turned out: A really simple yet cool event was ready to go in just six minutes.

However, it’s the event promotion tools that are Adfire Health’s signature. Our experience with these tools reminded us of our good times working with professional in-person event marketing agencies. We were equipped with email campaigns for passive candidate targeting, automated direct emails for engaged clinic talent, and SEM and paid socials to maximize our event reach. Our favorite part? The vendor didn’t leave us to our own devices. They connected us with their in-house creative team, so we could collaborate on content strategy and event marketing materials that align with our employer branding and resonate with healthcare professionals.

Adfire Health’s engagement features are just as good as what we’ve seen in Radancy and VidCruiter. Users can engage with candidates through chat, call, video, or text—all in-app so no need to spend money on third-party tools. Once candidates have left the required info, you can manage their profiles and take the next steps like rating them, taking notes, connecting shortlists to hiring managers, and scheduling post-event interviews.

However, Adfire Health falls far behind brands like Radancy and vFairs for lacking advanced features for a realistic event experience. 3D environments, external entrance, lobby, and animated avatars—you won’t find any of them here. You can expect 2D virtual hiring events that look pretty much like career pages: they’re nice, but not impressive.

Adfire Health Customers

Adfire Health no longer publishes its pricing online. However, per our research, the platform is quite affordable and could start at around $349/month (less with an annual subscription).

Adfire Health Pricing

Live Recruit provides three pricing plans:

  • Starter: $349/month with 1 recruiter seat ($295 with annual subscription).
  • Professional: $899/month with 3 recruiter seats ($765 with annual subscription).
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing, 3 recruiter seats, and additional features.

Best For

Adfire Health is best for in-house recruiters, recruitment firms, and temporary staffing agencies in the United States looking to build healthcare teams.

Adfire Health in action
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Communique

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Communique
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.8 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Communique

Communique’s customization is wonderful. You can tweak the 3D environment for your virtual career fairs and make it look like the actual college campus. You can also tailor several branding elements and have your event reflect your company’s corporate identity.

PROS

  • Dozens of existing design templates available for easy customization.
  • Fully custom virtual career fair environment with your brand, corporate colors, and people.
  • Candidate engagement options include private text, 1:1, and small group video meetings.
  • Attendees can participate in live Q&A and search and bookmark content.
  • Resource center for cultural information and Q&A sessions.
  • Browser and mobile device compatibility.
  • Custom scheduling tool for recruiters.
  • 24/7/365 support: dedicated project manager, phone, and email support.
  • Compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).

  • When creating events, you'll have the option to choose from existing templates or design a fully custom virtual career fair environment with your brand, corporate colors, and people.
  • You can maximize your candidate reach with Communique as it can be accessed from any location, on any modern browser or mobile device.
  • The team at Communique is quite hands-on. They’ll assist you with product implementation, and guide you in designing and launching your first event.

CONS

  • Outdated user interface.
  • Supports mobile event app only for Android, not iOS.
  • Lack of automated candidate pre-assessment.
  • No free trial, undisclosed pricing.
  • Limited native integrations, API integration available.
  • No product updates since June 2022.
  • English is the only language support available.

  • Communique’s UI looks a little outdated and isn’t not the easiest to navigate, especially for new users.
  • The platform doesn’t offer free trial and pricing isn’t publically shared. You’ll need to contact their Sales’ team for a quote. 
  • Third-party integrations are quite limited at this time, with very little options to connect HR software solutions. 

Communique Review

It’s hard not to be impressed by Communique’s welcome lobby. The 3D environment made it feel like attending an in-person virtual career fair. A video greeted us as we entered the lobby, and we could access pre-made FAQs about the employer at the nearby resource center.

Good news for employers: Building these lobbies isn’t too complicated. While we think Communique’s UI is quite bland, navigating the tool and designing the virtual career fairs posed no major challenges. In fact, the existing design templates were pretty handy, and there were plenty of them. It took us only a few minutes to customize one to match our office building.

We can imagine candidates would also appreciate the easy-to-access booth support, as they just need to head to their interested booth and there will be either live chat support or actual department representatives ready to assist them. Kudos to the system for alerting the reps whenever a visitor enters a booth to reduce the chances of missing candidates’ queries. But, from the employer’s perspective, we couldn’t help but wonder: Where were the knockout questions? Unlike Radancy, Communique lacks this feature, which means recruiters will likely be more busy and occupied during events to vet candidates.

When we tried booking a call with the reps (there’s also an option to chat with recruiters), Communique provided us with the recruiter’s availability. We’ve got no complaints about this and it was easy to pick a suitable time.

We headed to the Theater while waiting for the call and had a generally good experience. The level of development was just as good as what we found in vFairs, with live and on-demand webinar presentations, live Q&As, searchable and bookmarkable content, and breakouts—all available here.

Communique’s Networking Lounge is also a nice touch. We loved that the lounge was divided into smaller forums based on topics—it had made it easier to find ones that best matched our interests. It was also convenient to connect with other candidates: We could use text chat, video chat, or moderated chat for guided discussion to engage with fellow job seekers.

However, we expected more user-friendly integration capabilities from Communique, considering other options generally provide a few native integrations (Communique only provides an open API. Not every team is technically savvy enough to handle API integration on their own.

The fact that the virtual career fair platform hasn’t rolled out any new feature since June 2022 also gave us some cause for concern about its competitiveness going forward. If this delay in product updates continues, sorry Communique, but we may just have to consider taking you down from this buyer guide.

Communique Customers

Communique is used by companies all over the world. Some of the biggest names on their client list are Disney, GE, Mastercard, Sony, EY, and Salesforce.

Communique Pricing

The pricing of Communique’s solutions isn’t disclosed upfront. Contact their sales team to get a quote.

Best For

Communique can be used by companies of all sizes, but do note that the majority of their customers are growing companies, educational institutions, and enterprises.

Communique in action
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Eightfold

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Eightfold
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Eightfold

Eightfold helps you cast a wider net with online events and virtual career fairs with the help of its powerful AI. The platform also does a great job of identifying suitable candidates from its talent pool that you can later invite to your virtual events.

PROS

  • AI analyzes job postings and resumes for personalized job suggestions.
  • Data-driven application dashboard that shows candidates how fit they are for a job.
  • Native assessment forms for easier candidate assessments during events.
  • Options for group or 1:1 meetings with candidates.
  • Custom communication campaigns for pre- and post-events.
  • You can filter candidate searches by experience level or salary range.
  • Candidate data auto-syncs from events to the built-in talent CRM.

  • Eightfold uses AI technology to analyze your job postings and find the best fitting candidates. It can also rank those candidates based on their skills, experience and potential.
  • You can filter candidate searches by experience level or salary range so that you only see candidates that fit your hiring criteria.
  • The platform encourages diversity hiring and enables you to eliminate hiring bias through anonymous screening, aka profile masking
  • It improves overall employee experience by providing tailored training and development opportunities based on their skill sets and interests.
  • It has a built-in CRM to store and manage HR data about potential candidates, current employees, and previous employees.

CONS

  • No native video interview tools; relies on integrations.
  • Lacks 3D environment, interactive booths, and engaging features (quizzes, games, polls).
  • Pricing is not transparent; no free trial available.

  • There isn’t a way for hiring managers and recruiters to leave notes on candidates profiles within the system which is rather inconvenient.
  • Eightfold has a mobile app that employees can access for skills development but doesn’t currently have one for hiring managers and recruiters to manage their pipeline and perform other actions relating to the hiring process.
  • Several users reported that the tool does not search for candidates outside its database.
  • The platform’s pricing isn’t transparent and there is no free trial at this time.
Eightfold-virtual-career-fair-platform-dashboard

Eightfold Review

The best part about Eightfold’s virtual hiring event tool is its AI. The algorithm not only matches job postings with resumes but provides job seekers with personalized dashboards. Here, candidates can see available jobs that click their profile, along with detailed reasons for the match. The AI even goes the extra mile by offering insights into matching skills, relevant experience, and similarities to previously hired candidates.

Another cool feature of the career fair platform is its native candidate assessment forms. As hiring managers or recruiters, you can customize these forms for each role and use them during interviews at events—a simple yet effective way to ensure a consistent and structured assessment process.

Additionally, Eightfold offers built-in candidate communication campaigns, both before and after events, and a built-in talent CRM that automatically auto-stores candidate data, safe and sound, once events conclude.

However, as is the case with VidCruiter, Eightfold doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you'd find in platforms hyper-focused on the virtual career fair category. No 3D environments, interactive booths, or engaging features like quizzes and games, for example. It supports both group interviews and 1:1s, but for video, you'll need to integrate with platforms like Zoom and Google Meet as there's no native video interview tool. Eightfold unfortunately does not offer a free trial nor publicize its pricing data.

Eightfold Customers

Eightfold’s customers include Conagra Brands, LG, and Tata Communications.

Eightfold Pricing

Eightfold's pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact their sales team to discuss your specific needs.

Best For

If you're not just looking for a virtual hiring event solution but a talent management suite that possesses a powerful AI-driven experience for both candidates and your recruitment teams, Eightfold might just be what you need.

Eightfold in action
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VidCruiter

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VidCruiter
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.6 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.8 / 5

Why we picked VidCruiter

VidCruiter's virtual career fair platform is tailored for medium to large organizations with substantial annual hiring needs, particularly those exceeding a hundred hires. It stands out as an all-in-one solution that houses virtual career fairs, ATS, video interviews, and scheduling under a single roof.

PROS

  • All-in-one solution for virtual career fairs, pre-recorded and live interviews, and scheduling.
  • Offers candidates the flexibility in choosing interview methods and times.
  • Easy-apply forms and highly customizable landing pages.
  • No downloads or logins needed for interviews.
  • Automatic export of candidate data to integrated ATS.
  • ATS and job board integration with custom options.
  • Browser-based, works across devices without app installations.
  • Ad campaigns for boosting event attendance.
  • Available in eight languages for recruiters, supporting job seekers in dozens more.
  • Real-time campaign metrics.
  • 24/7 live agent support, assigned account manager, and on-demand training.

  • Scalable and customizable — users pay for what they need and can purchase more features as they grow.
  • Robust pre-recorded and live video interviewing with advanced automation.
  • Browser-based, so it works across devices without installing apps.
  • Available for recruiters in eight languages and supports job seekers in dozens more.
  • 24/7 live agent support, assigned account manager, and on-demand training.

CONS

  • Job openings are advertised via landing pages rather than virtual booths.
  • Lacks 3D environments and interactive features (booth reps, Q&A, quizzes) for attendee engagement.
  • No AI-powered chatbot for event navigation assistance.
  • Extensive features and customization require a time-consuming implementation process.
  • Undisclosed pricing; no free or trial version available.

  • Because the product is feature-rich and highly customizable, the implementation phase can be time-consuming.
  • Advanced search and technical skills testing features within the assessment module leave room for improvement.
  • No free or trial version.
  • Undisclosed pricing.

VidCruiter Review

Flexibility is a key highlight of VidCruiter’s virtual career fair offering: Candidates get to pick how they want to do their interviews—whether it's face-to-face, over the phone, live video, or pre-recorded. On the employer side, VidCruiter offers highly customizable landing pages and workflows, along with ad campaigns to boost event attendance. The platform even handles the  export of candidate data to an integrated ATS for seamless post-event follow-up.

Another huge plus of the platform is its user-friendly nature. Despite its high level of flexibility, the setup is straightforward. VidCruiter’s events run straight from the browser, so job seekers can jump in from any device without messing with extra downloads. We particularly love how the application process is set up. You get to lay out your opening roles and share what it’s like to be a part of your team through not only words but also images and videos, then the landing page provides interested job seekers with easy-apply forms that integrate with popular platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn so they can apply directly while on these sites. This leaves no room for frustration.

Recruiters have praised VidCruiter's dedicated support—phone, live chat, email, and training, all available in eight languages. Job seekers get help in even more languages, plus tech support and troubleshooting before virtual interviews.

However, VidCruiter does fall short in certain aspects. The platform gives employers landing pages, not virtual booths for job ads. They're customizable but miss out on 3D environments and engaging features like booth reps, Q&A, or quizzes. The absence of an AI-powered chatbot for job seeker assistance during event navigation is another letdown. Additionally, VidCruiter doesn't provide details on costs, and there's no free trial for you to dip your toes in before diving in.

VidCruiter Customers

100,000+ TAs and recruiters at companies like Global Affairs Canada, Paymentsense, and Blue Cross.

VidCruiter Pricing

VidCruiter doesn’t publicize their pricing and plans. You need to get on a demo with them for more details.

Best For

VidCruiter's virtual career fair platform is a powerful tool for larger organizations with substantial hiring needs, offering flexibility, ease of use, and comprehensive integrations. The vendor also has a proven track record of serving government, education, and healthcare orgs.

VidCruiter in action
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Radancy

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Radancy
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Radancy

Radancy is a user-friendly virtual career fair platform that has been in this space for over a decade and never ceases to amaze us with its frequent user-driven feature updates. Mid-sized companies and universities rely on Radancy to offer host events that cover all sorts of recruitment needs including text-based assessments, 1:1 & group videos, audios, and even in-person career fairs.

PROS

  • Responsive customer support via chat, implementation guidance, and regular meetings.
  • Mobile-friendly without the need for an app.
  • Various chat options, including text, live video, 1:1, and group video.
  • Detailed analytics throughout events and pre/post-event insights.
  • Frequent user-driven updates for enhanced features.
  • Text-based chat with stored snippets for common queries.
  • Real-time closed captions for presentations using Google Slides or Microsoft Powerpoint.
  • Knockout Questions for pre-screening and QuickChat for multitasking in conversations.
  • Accessible History with transcripts, candidate details, and conversation notes.
  • Aligns with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA (WCAG 2.1 AA).

  • Their customer support is great, especially the chat support. When it comes to creating online events, their team would give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process. Every month, their team arranges a monthly call between their customers and their appointed account representative to make sure everything is working fine. Their response time for customer queries is also fairly quick and you will usually hear back from them within the same day.
  • Radancy makes networking easier. There are multiple networking booths for events where attendees can talk to employers via text, voice, or chat. Attendees can also easily switch between different booths.
  • Before, after, and during each event, you’re provided with detailed analytics and data about signups, candidates, attendance, and other such metrics.
  • Their team comes up with updates on a frequent basis and not only asks for client feedback but also takes end-user feedback into mind when rolling out new features.

CONS

  • Manual effort required for candidate data syncing to other HR systems.
  • Restrictive auto-generated event emails limit brand expression.
  • Occasional glitches in audio and video tools.
  • Initial setup requires trials and errors.
  • Lack of transparent pricing and no free trials.

  • Customizations are limited. For instance, emails for the events are system automated and that can limit you from displaying your voice and brand.
  • Compared to other popular video conferencing tools, Radancy’s built-in audio and video tool is not as stable and there can be occasional bugs.
  • Initial setup can be a little confusing and it takes some trial and error to figure out a structure that helps you make the most out of your virtual events.
  • The pricing of the platform isn’t transparent and self-signup free trials aren’t available at this time.
Radancy-virtual-career-fair-platform-screenshot

Radancy Review

Radancy supports text-based conversation, live video broadcasts, 1:1 video and audio chat, and group video with up to a total of nine people at a time, which is typically more than enough to pre-assess, private interview, and group interview with applicants.

Let’s begin with Radancy’s Knockout Questions. While they are only two-response questions, they are pretty helpful for knocking out unqualified candidates in a fast and professional way. Candidates providing all the desired responses are connected, while those who do not receive a customizable “sorry” message.

Radancy’s QuickChat allows users to chat with more than one candidate simultaneously, take notes about the candidate, view their knockout question answers, and job requirements details. We really liked the fact that after the chat ended, its transcript, candidate resumes if uploaded, our chosen next step for them, and any added notes, were stored safe and sound in History.

Radancy’s History—it didn’t freeze once but smoothly delivered when we tried different filterings for candidate sorting: the next step, chat date, or candidate name. However, to add this candidate data to your ATS or CRM, you have to export a .CSV with the same information. Currently, Radancy doesn’t support auto-sync.

We’ve encountered many virtual career fair platforms over the years, but Radancy is seriously a top contender when it comes to customer support. When we created our first online event, the team gave us a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process. The email support replied the same day we sent them our question.

Our favorite part was the monthly calls with their team: they’re super productive. We talked about our past events. We discussed how to make better use of Radancy’s system. We got asked about how the vendor could do better, and if we have any additional requirements in mind they could provide in the future.

However, Radancy’s level of customization is unfortunately limited. We had no choice but to keep the event emails as they were set up, as these emails are auto-generated. Yes! Very generic and lacks a touch of branding.

Radancy’s audio and video interview tools aren’t bad, but they could really use some work so they are more stable and less buggy. We’d say the same goes for the initial setup needed when optimizing your first virtual career fairs. The consolation is these trials and errors were quickly resolved by the vendor’s customer support.

Pro tip: Ensure you end the chat with a potential candidate on QuickChat before closing the window. Otherwise, the conversation transcript will not be stored in your History. We learned this the hard way!

Radancy Customers

CVS Health, Lincoln Financial Group, and Temple University are some of Radancy's customers.

Radancy Pricing

Radancy’s pricing is undisclosed. You need to fill out their form to get a custom quote.

Best For

Radancy is best suited for large teams, universities, and companies with frequent and high-volume hiring needs.

Radancy in action
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GR8 People

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GR8 People
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked GR8 People

With GR8 People you can create, manage, and measure the effectiveness of your virtual recruiting events. The platform comes with a built-in talent CRM to help you manage leads and turn them into hires using automated campaigns and screening processes.

PROS

  • Responsive ongoing support team.
  • Information sessions for sharing essential information with prospective candidates.
  • Ability to host exclusive virtual events for employees.
  • Templates for email engagement and landing pages.
  • User-friendly navigation.
  • Built-in event CRM for post-event talent nurturing.
  • Native self-scheduling and pre-screening.
  • Available in German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, and Chinese.
  • Frequently rolls out new features.

  • According to users, Gr8 People’s support team is quite responsive and is known to resolve issues quickly.
  • The GR8 People app makes the hiring process easier by automating tasks like sending email notifications and changing hiring statuses.
  • The GR8 People application process is easy to navigate once you learn how it works. Candidates love how quickly they can apply for jobs, and hiring managers appreciate how fast it is to move candidates to the next step and keep track of where they are in the process.

CONS

  • No native video interviewing tools.
  • Undisclosed pricing. Lacks a free trial.
  • Virtual recruiting events aren’t sold as a standalone product.
  • May require custom API building for custom reports.

  • The system has restrictions on sorting certain lists. For example, it would be nice if companies could sort their requisitions by a number of different criteria, such as hiring manager's name and department.
  • While the tool's landing page feature is great, users still wish there were more customization options. For example, they would like to be able to change text and pictures. The system does not allow for much customization when working through different workflows either.
  • It's easy to integrate with other products, but it would be great if they allowed integration with email. This would be useful for users who want to submit forms and information directly from Gmail accounts, or any other email provider.
  • There’s no free tier for job posting or applicant management – if you want to use the platform, you’ll need to pay for all features one way or another.
GR8 People virtual career fair platform screenshot

GR8 People Review

When we tested GR8 People, it lived up to its claim of 48-hour turnkey implementation. Following product implementation and training, the customer success team co-built our first event to get us familiar with the platform. We were impressed by how quickly our virtual event was up and running—everything was all set within two mornings.

GR8 People’s level of customization isn’t exactly the best we’ve seen, but it’s not bad either. For example, we couldn’t find 3D environments and gamification as in vFairs and, this tool also doesn’t offer Q&A sessions as Radancy does. However, it covers all the essentials: mobile responsiveness, branding, and templates for faster event designs.

More importantly, the virtual career fair platform doesn’t lack knockout pre-screening questions (unlike Communique). As soon as an attendee shows interest in a particular position and clicks on “chat with recruiters,” it triggers a series of questions they need to answer. Only those who qualify are automatically invited to self-schedule a screening interview.

But the most compelling reason that makes us feel safe recommending GR8 People as a solid pick for hosting virtual recruitment fairs is its native CRM—something even hyper-focused event management platforms like Premier Virtual or Radancy lack.

This means you don’t have to spend your money on buying additional tools to track and nurture candidates you have interacted with in your hosted hiring events. With the new AI and automation features built-in, GR8 People’s CRM didn’t disappoint when it comes to automating and personalizing engagement campaigns at scale.

However, while you save money by not having to make a recruiting CRM purchase, you’ll likely need to spend on a video interview platform: Unlike others offering native interview capabilities, GR8 People relies on integration with third-party tools.

We also didn’t expect that GR8 People’s reporting capability would be this weak. The pre-built stats were pretty basic and we sensed that it would take considerable effort to generate the reports we wanted. On the same note, one of GR8 People’s customers we spoke with complained about having to build APIs for custom data.

It’s also worth noting that GR8 People is leaning towards its recruiting CRM and direct sourcing aspects. The virtual career fair tool is more of an addition to its talent acquisition products and is not available as a standalone tool.

GR8 People Customers

300+ customers, including John Hopkins Medicine, Informatica, and Teradata.

GR8 People Pricing

GR8 People doesn’t have fixed pricing plans. You can contact their sales team for a demo as well as custom pricing details.

Best For

GR8 People is suitable for growing businesses that want not only a virtual career fair solution but also features to help them track and nurture candidates post-event.

GR8 People in action
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Hopin

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Hopin
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Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.7 / 5

Why we picked Hopin

You get to plan, market, execute your virtual career fairs, and even follow up with attendees after the event within Hopin, no platform hopping is required. Hopin is also one of the rare few in this space that is upfront about how much it’ll charge you for its event offerings.

PROS

  • Intuitive for both employer users and job seekers.
  • Users get support from real event professionals.
  • Attendees log in using a magic link without creating an account.
  • Pre-made templates make it easy to put together a good event design.
  • 45+ native integrations, including engagement apps like Kahoot and Slido. Open API also available.
  • Regular new feature and improvement announcements.
  • Supports 15+ languages, including German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.
  • Compliant with Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA recommendations.

  • With Hopin Events, you can get the support of real event professionals who will help you every step of the way to make your virtual event a success.
  • Your attendees don’t need to create an account, they can just log in using a magic link when invited to an event.
  • The platform provides many integrations, which make it easy to manage and enhance your events. The platform also offers an integration option for professional studios like StreamYard to build their own studio on the Hopin platform.

CONS

  • No control over participant entry timing.
  • Bugs and glitches in iOS and Android apps.
  • Customer support is less responsive compared to Radancy or Premier Virtual.
  • Inconvenient two-step verification for users using Hopin's magic links.
  • Native video conferencing tool lacks user-friendliness.
  • It would be great if Hopin offered some kind of "backstage" area where participants can prepare for their sessions without being in front of an audience. This would allow them time to set up their tools and get comfortable without being watched by others who are waiting for their turn to present.
  • If you want more control over when participants are allowed to enter the event, then Hopin might not be the best option for you. You also cannot see who is attending the meeting and who is not.
  • The ticket registration system is a three-step authentication process that can be taxing, especially for first-time users.

Hopin Review

Hopin acts as a one-stop shop for hosting virtual career fairs. This virtual event platform lets you live events for small communities all the way up to 100,000 attendees. We loved the new event theme rolled out in July 2023: It’s beautiful and was super easy to work with!

The best part about Hopin is that it's not just used for hosting events but also allows you to create an online community where attendees can connect with group video networking and 1:1s. We also appreciate its honesty: The platform admitted that background blur took them long enough to implement but, finally! You now can blur your backgrounds, and so can your attendees with one click.

It is a shame that Hopin’s free plan which allowed users to host unlimited events with up to 100 registrations per event, up to 2 hours in event length, and email and chat support, is gone. Hopin has increased its pricing, causing some SMBs to leave the platform. Thankfully, a Starter plan was brought back soon after, and the arrival of the Single Event Package helped Hopin win back some love from organizations demanding advanced features without having to purchase an annual plan.

We wish Hopin’s customer service were more responsive and helpful. Compared with Radancy’s and Premier Virtual’s, the platform’s tech support left us feeling a bit frustrated for its slow response time and, at times, lack of product knowledge.

And audio issues! These still have not been resolved months after we first encountered them. All three times we tested, Hopin didn’t automatically adjust audio settings when we switched from headphones to our Bluetooth devices and vice versa. We always had to F5 the page and manually reselect the sound output.

A consolation is that up to now, Hopin has worked hard to constantly improve its platform—it usually rolls out new features throughout the year and hasn’t stopped this habit even after being acquired for around $15-50M—a disappointing number for a unicorn that once raised $1B.

We used to complain about how Hopin didn’t keep users posted on its feature updates, which sometimes resulted in steep learning curves for users to catch up with the changes. So it’s nice to see it seems the platform has listened! We now see a page on its website for newly released product updates which we can subscribe to to get notified of the latest features or improvements.

Hopin Customers

Hopin serves acclaimed organizations like Slack, TechCrunch, Twitch, The Atlantic, Workato, Glassdoor, the United Nations, and more.

Hopin Pricing

Hopin pricing starts at $750 per license per year. No free trial is available.

Best For

Hopin is best for educational institutions, SMBs, and non-profit organizations to host career fairs, whether they are virtual, onsite, or hybrid events. However, if you usually find yourself hosting many events with over a hundred attendees per event, Hopin can be slightly expensive.

Hopin in action
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Features of Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Virtual career fair platforms offer a host of features, including:

  • Virtual booths: Companies can set up virtual booths to showcase their brand, culture, and job opportunities. These booths may include company videos, brochures, and employee testimonials so job seekers can explore them just like they would at an in-person event.
  • Live chat and messaging: Job seekers can interact with recruiters through live chat or messaging to ask questions, submit resumes, or discuss job openings.
  • Event tutorial: Candidates can get a quick primer on how to use the platform to make the most of their experience and cut down on tech difficulties.
  • Video interviews: Employers and job seekers can engage in video chats that mimic the in-person interview experience and allow for immediate interaction and evaluation.
  • Customizable branding: Employers can personalize their virtual booths with their company's branding, logos, and colors to ensure a consistent and recognizable presence at the career fair.
  • Resume upload and matching: Job seekers can upload their resumes, which are then automatically matched with relevant job openings. Employers can review resumes in advance or during the event to identify potential candidates.
  • Information sessions and webinars: Employers or career experts can host live or pre-recorded informational sessions and webinars on various topics, such as industry trends, resume building, or company culture.
  • Data analytics and reporting: Career fair organizers can track and analyze attendee engagement, booth traffic, and interactions. This data helps them evaluate the event's success and make improvements for future fairs.
  • AI-powered chatbots: Chatbots can assist job seekers with event navigation, answer frequently asked questions, and provide information about participating companies, among other things to streamline communication between employers and candidates.
  • Mobile accessibility: Virtual career fair platforms often have mobile apps so candidates and employers can easily participate and engage on the go.
  • Networking lounges: Job seekers can connect with employers and fellow attendees to expand their professional network, while employers can maintain a database of potential candidates for future job openings.
  • Scheduling tools: Job seekers can schedule one-on-one appointments with employers or attend sessions at specific times. This feature ensures that everyone can plan their participation effectively.
  • Resource library: Some career fair platforms may offer a resource library with job search tips, resume templates, interview guidance, and other materials to assist job seekers in their search.
  • Accessibility and inclusivity features: The platform may offer features like closed captioning and screen reader compatibility to make the event accessible to individuals with disabilities.
  • Secure environment: The platform provides a secure environment for the exchange of personal information and data, ensuring privacy and data protection for all users.
  • Post-event resources: After the virtual career fair ends, job seekers can access resources like recorded webinars, company profiles, and job postings for an extended period.
  • Integrations: Virtual career fair platforms often offer integrations with other tools, such as ATS systems for candidate data transfer, scheduling tools for interview appointments, or video interview platforms for conducting live interviews and webinars directly within the virtual career fair environment.

Pro Tips on Virtual Career Fair Platforms

Virtual Career Fair Platforms Best Use Cases

We’ve done a lot of research into the kind of organizations that use virtual career fair platforms to boost hiring. Large recruitment firms, educational institutions, niche industries, and employment agencies are among the most successful users of these tools.

  • Large corporations: These platforms are ideal for large corporations with frequent hiring demands and a diverse array of job openings, as they enable companies to host large-scale, branded online events that attract a wide range of candidates. Hiring managers can conduct live video interviews and pre-screen resumes. This cuts costs related to in-person events and broadens the talent pool, often on a global scale.
  • Universities and educational institutions: For educational institutions, virtual career fairs serve as an accessible and effective means to enhance students' career prospects and broaden their job opportunities. For example, these platforms can facilitate the organization of career events for students and alumni. Students receive guidance from career advisors, and institutions can host webinars covering essential job market trends, resume-building, and interview techniques, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the job market.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Virtual career fair software allows SMEs to create virtual booths to showcase their brand and job openings. They can engage with potential employees and conduct interviews without incurring the expenses associated with traditional recruiting methods, making it easier for them to compete with larger organizations for talent.
  • Industry-specific recruitment: Industry-specific groups or associations can utilize these platforms to host events specifically designed for their members. Job seekers within these niches can explore opportunities and gain valuable insights via networking with industry peers. This helps to create a highly targeted and efficient recruitment process.
  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives: These platforms allow companies to host events focused on diverse hiring. This creates opportunities for dialogue, recruitment, and mentorship, promoting workplace inclusion.
  • Employment agencies: Similar to traditional in-person events, online career fairs offer recruiters one-on-one time with candidates to evaluate qualifications, personality, and career goals, but with much fewer staff resources. This enables a rapid and efficient vetting process, which allows suitable candidates to be presented to clients promptly.

Pitfalls to Avoid When Using Virtual Career Fair Platforms

While virtual career fairs can be a great way for organizations to engage job seekers, slow booth reps' responses, overloading booths with information, and no networking opportunities are some of the ways to screw up the whole thing. Here are more details about common mistakes to watch out for.

  • Unresponsive booth representatives: When candidates attend a virtual career fair, they expect real-time interactions. If booth representatives are unresponsive or take too long to reply, it can lead to missed connections and lost opportunities. According to Indeed, 83% of job seekers say that a lack of response from employers would make them less likely to apply to that company again. To avoid this, ensure your reps are well-trained, available, and equipped to engage with candidates promptly.
  • Overloading booths with information: Ever go to a trade show and there are hundreds of booths? It's cool to share info about your organization, but don't overwhelm candidates with a data dump. To keep candidates engaged and informed, present essential information concisely and offer additional resources or materials for those seeking more in-depth insights.
  • Limited networking opportunities: People attend career fairs not only to connect with potential employers but also to network with peers, so don't forget to create a space for this. Set up virtual hangout spots or chat rooms so attendees can connect and make meaningful connections.
  • Ignoring mobile accessibility: Almost 70% of 2021 job applications were made from mobile devices, so make sure your platform works on mobile devices. If it doesn't, you might lose out on talented individuals who can't navigate your fair on their smartphones.
  • No clear call to action: After engaging with your organization, job seekers need to know what to do next. Give them a clear path to follow, whether it’s applying for jobs, scheduling interviews, or joining webinars.
  • Failing to showcase company culture: Candidates seek not only job opportunities but also workplaces that vibe with their values. What’s it like to work with you? Utilize virtual booths, videos, and testimonials to show it.
  • Ineffective use of video interviews: Video interviews can be tricky if you don't have clear guidelines and trained interviewers. The right candidates are spotted from a fair and square assessment process, so make sure your interviews are conducted with structure and consistency. Better yet, integrate your virtual career fair platforms with robust video interview tech.
  • No accessibility features: Neglecting to provide features like closed captioning, screen reader compatibility, and other accessibility options can not only result in legal issues but also harm your organization's reputation. Work with vendors and your recruitment teams to make sure the entire process is designed with accessibility in mind.

Virtual Career Fair Platforms Pricing

Pricing for virtual career fair platforms comes in various flavors, depending on what you need. Here's the lowdown on the most common pricing models:

  • Flat fee: You pay a fixed, one-time fee for hosting your virtual career fairs. It's great if you have a large number of hiring fairs to host and want to know exactly how much it'll cost. Premier Virtual is among the virtual recruiting event providers that use this model.
  • Per-event pricing: In this model, you pay for each virtual career fair event separately. So, if you're not hosting them very frequently, this can be cost-effective. Eventbrite, for instance, offers a plan called Flex where it's $9.99 per event for up to 100 tickets.
  • Tiered plans: Here, you've got different pricing levels with various features. The more you pay, the more features and services you get. Symplicity Recruit does this: Their pricing options range from basic to enterprise plans, with varying features and pricing.
  • Pay-per-attendee: You're charged based on the number of people who show up to your virtual career fair. If you have events with varying attendance, this model makes sense. Sched is one of the vendors using this approach.
  • Subscription-based: You pay a regular (e.g. monthly or annual)  fee to use the platform for your career fairs. This works for companies that have ongoing hiring needs. Hopin offers this for its event platform, which can handle career fairs too.
  • Custom pricing: For large enterprises or those with unique requirements, some vendors offer custom pricing. They'll tailor the cost to your specific needs. vFairs, Easy Virtual Fair, and Handshake are among those that do this.
  • Freemium model: In this setup, you can use a basic version of the platform for free. If you want extra features or services, you'll pay for them. It's a nice choice for smaller organizations dipping their toes into the virtual career fair waters. Swapcard is one of many that offer a freemium model.
  • Hybrid model: Some platforms mix and match different pricing approaches. They might have options for per-event pricing, tiered plans, and custom pricing to cater to different clients. WorkCast is one such vendor that takes this hybrid approach.

How Career Fair Platforms Have Evolved

Since the pandemic, virtual career fair platforms have come a long way. They’ve gone from being basic online job listings to much more sophisticated, interactive ecosystems.

  • From text listings to multimedia presentations: Initially, these platforms were all about plain text job listings. Now, you can find multimedia presentations that include videos, images, and interactive content. This helps job seekers get a real feel for the companies they're interested in.
  • From basic chat to real-time engagement: Early platforms featured basic chat interfaces for communication. But let's face it, who wants to wait around for answers? Now, we have live chat, video calls, and even chatbots that make it feel like you're really talking to someone in person.
  • From static booths to customizable virtual spaces: Older platforms provided static virtual booths with limited customization options. Today, virtual career fair platforms give companies more flexibility to create branded, engaging virtual environments that mirror their physical presence at career fairs. You can create fully customizable virtual booths that let them bring your brand to life. You can also add videos, interactive content, and even games to grab candidates' attention.
  • From single-day events to ongoing access: Traditional virtual career fairs were often limited to single-day events. Many platforms now offer extended access to virtual career fairs, sometimes spanning weeks or even months. This gives job seekers more time to research and connect with employers and attend webinars or presentations on their own schedules.
  • From limited data analytics to advanced insights: Early platforms didn't give much insight into what was happening. But today, we have in-depth data analytics. These platforms track things like how long candidates spend in booths, who are interacting, and much more. This helps organizations fine-tune their strategies and see if they're getting a good return on their investment.
  • From isolated events to integration with HR software: In the past, virtual career fairs often operated as standalone events. Many platforms now offer integration with ATS, video interview software, and other HR tools. Data collected during virtual fairs can be seamlessly incorporated into the hiring pipeline.
  • From general job listings to niche and specialized fairs: Early platforms primarily focused on general job listings. Today, virtual career fair platforms offer specialized events catering to specific industries or diversity initiatives. This enables more targeted recruiting and networking opportunities for both job seekers and employers.

What to Ask When Demoing with Virtual Career Fair Providers

Asking the right questions during product demos with virtual career fair platform vendors could help a lot in narrowing down the right option for your recruitment team. These questions are organized into different categories to help you get the full picture of what the platform can do for you:

Usability and Customization:

  • How easy is it to set up and customize? You want a platform that is user-friendly and can be tailored to match your branding and requirements without excessive technical challenges.
  • Can you walk us through a mock event? This allows you to see the platform in action and evaluate its usability.
  • Is mobile accessibility supported? Ensure that the platform is mobile-friendly for a seamless event experience.

Engagement and Interaction:

  • What engagement tools are available? Explore features like live chat, video conferencing, and gamification to keep participants engaged during the event.
  • Is on-demand content available? Like, can people watch videos or webinars later when it suits them?

Integration and Compatibility:

  • How do you handle data export and integration capabilities? Inquire about the ability to export event data and integrate it with other systems, like ATS, recruiting CRMs, and other recruiting platforms. You absolutely don’t want a system that's a loner.

Data and Analytics:

  • What analytics and reporting features do you provide? Learn about the data and analytics capabilities for tracking the success of your virtual career fairs and making data-driven decisions.
  • Can you provide insights on participant behavior tracking? Understand how the platform tracks participant behavior and engagement for optimizing event strategies.

Support and Service:

  • What kind of customer support is available? Understand the level of customer support provided, such as 24/7 assistance, onboarding training, and technical support.
  • How do you ensure a smooth candidate experience for participants with disabilities? Inquire about accessibility features, such as closed captioning, screen reader compatibility, and accommodations for users with disabilities.
  • What is the average turnaround time for technical support requests? Determine how long it will take to hear back from their support when you encounter a tech issue.

Security and Privacy:

  • What security measures are in place? Assess the platform's security features, including data protection and privacy protocols.
  • What are the data ownership and privacy policies? Ensure that you understand who owns the data collected during the event and what the platform's privacy policies entail.

Scalability and Performance:

  • How scalable is the platform? Determine if the platform can accommodate your organization's growth and handle larger or more frequent events.
  • How do you handle peak traffic during events? If applicable, inquire about the platform's capacity to handle high traffic loads during peak event times to ensure a smooth experience for participants.

Cost and Pricing:

  • What's the cost structure? Get a clear understanding of the pricing model, including costs for features like customization, additional services, or data storage.
  • Are there any ongoing costs besides the initial pricing? Clarify if there are any hidden or ongoing costs beyond the initial pricing, such as maintenance fees, custom integrations, or additional user charges.

Training and Onboarding:

  • Do you offer training or onboarding services? Inquire about training and onboarding support to ensure your team can quickly get up to speed with the platform.
  • Do training and onboarding cost extra? You absolutely don’t want any surprise bills.

Unique Features and Updates:

  • Can you provide a list of features unique to your platform? Can you show me how to use them in action? Knowing the software’s key features and seeing how they work could really help in comparing options to determine your best bet.
  • Can you share any recent platform updates or upcoming features? Inquire about recent updates or upcoming features to assess the platform's commitment to continuous improvement.

References and Success Stories:

  • Can we test the platform before committing? Ask if there's a trial period or a way to test the platform's functionality and features before making a commitment.
  • Can you provide references or contact information for current clients? Speaking with existing users can offer valuable insights into their experiences with the platform.
  • Can you provide references from organizations similar to ours? Request references from organizations with similar needs or industries to get insights into their experiences with the platform.

Backup and Recovery:

  • How do you handle backup and recovery for event data? Understand the vendor's backup and data recovery protocols in case of data loss or system failures.
  • What measures are in place to prevent and address platform downtime? Inquire about the platform's strategies for preventing downtime and handling it effectively if it occurs.

Implementing a Virtual Career Fair Solution

Setting up a virtual career fair can indeed be relatively quick and easy from a technical standpoint, but ensuring a successful implementation goes beyond just getting the event page up. To make sure your virtual career fair is a hit, consider the following:

  • Plan with purpose: Events for school campus hiring, networking, and returnship recruitment—while having some overlaps, each carries its own purpose and therefore, requires bespoke plans to execute effectively.
  • Detailed event design: Don’t underestimate the importance of a well-designed event. Your landing pages should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and informative. Consider creating a welcoming environment that reflects your company’s branding and culture.
  • Effective marketing: People won't come if they don't know about your event. Use multiple channels, including email, social media, your company website, and job boards to promote it.
  • Keep people interested: You want your event to be helpful and engaging. Use live webinars, videos, Q&A sessions, and gamification to make the event enjoyable and informative.
  • Get early birds: Encouraging people to sign up early helps you know how many to expect and plan accordingly. Offer incentives like early access to content or exclusive sessions like resume workshops, interview tips, or industry insights to attract registrants.
  • Test the technology: Before the big day, check if everything works well. Make sure the sound, video, chat features, and any interactive elements run smoothly.
  • Training and support: Make sure your team and the booth staff know what to do. They should understand how the platform works and how to help attendees. Consider offering live chat support during the event to back your humans up.
  • Listen to feedback: Collect feedback from participants and your team on what worked well, and what can be improved. Use this feedback to fine-tune future virtual career fairs.
  • Accessibility and inclusivity: Ensure that the virtual career fair platform is accessible to all, including those with disabilities.
  • Networking opportunities: Create industry-specific sessions or breakout forums for meaningful networking events.
  • Track and analyze data: Use the analytics and reporting features of the platform to track participant behavior and engagement. It helps you figure out what's working and what's not.
  • Follow up: After the event, don't let the connections go cold. Follow up with attendees and provide information about the next steps, whether it’s applying for jobs, scheduling interviews, or accessing recorded content.
  • Post-event evaluation: After the event, evaluate its success. Did you achieve your goals? What could be done differently next time?
  • Budget and costs: Keep track of your budget, including marketing and platform costs.
  • Keep improving: Use the lessons learned from each event to continuously improve your virtual career fairs. Experiment with different features and strategies to see what resonates with your audience best.

Virtual Career Fair FAQs

What is a virtual job fair?

A virtual job fair, or virtual career fair, is a networking event where job seekers can engage with companies online instead of in person.

What is a virtual career fair platform?

A virtual career fair platform is an online software solution that hosts digital job fairs and recruiting events, enabling employers and job seekers to engage and explore job opportunities in a virtual environment.

These platforms offer features like virtual booths, live chat, video conferencing, and interactive content, replicating the experience of in-person career fairs while providing accessibility and convenience in an online setting.

Are virtual career fairs useful?

Yes, virtual career fairs have proven to be effective tools for recruitment, networking, and career development. Employers can connect with a wider talent pool, reduce costs associated with physical events, and efficiently showcase their brand and job openings.

Job seekers can explore opportunities, engage with employers, and access valuable resources from the comfort of their own space. According to Radancy, 83% of job seekers prefer virtual career fairs over traditional in-person events.

How does a virtual career fair work?

A virtual career fair works by creating a digital platform where employers and job seekers can interact online.

Employers set up virtual booths to showcase their company, job openings, and culture. Job seekers access the fair through a web browser or a mobile app, and they can explore booths, chat with recruiters, attend webinars, and submit resumes or applications.

Communication happens through chatbots, booth reps, online resources, and in-app notifications, while employers determine qualified candidates using AI-driven candidate matchmaking and video interview tools either within the app or via integrations.

How can a virtual career fair platform help my recruiting process?

A virtual career fair platform can improve your recruiting process by making it simpler, faster, and more accessible.

It allows you to connect with job seekers from all over the world without the need for in-person events. You can talk to candidates in real-time through chat and video, pre-screen them, and showcase your company and job openings. Plus, it provides data and analytics to help you measure the success of your recruiting efforts.

Are there any free virtual career fair platforms?

Yes, there are platforms that let you host virtual career fairs for free, although they may have limitations compared to paid options.

Examples of free virtual career fair platforms include Hopin (free for up to 100 registrations per event), Webex Events (free to host one in-person, hybrid, or virtual event with up to 100 attendees), and Airmeet (free for up to 50 attendees per event).

What type of events can I host with virtual career fair platforms?

With virtual career fair platforms, there's a variety of event formats to help employers and job seekers connect and interact. Here's a breakdown of the types of events you can host using these platforms:

  • Webinars: Use webinars to showcase your company culture, values, and job opportunities. For instance, the New York Virtual Career Fair offers webinars where job seekers can learn about available jobs, company culture, and the importance of workplace diversity.
  • University and college recruiting: These events connect companies with students and recent graduates while helping educational institutions bridge the gap between academia and the job market. Many colleges, like Penn State, organize both virtual and in-person career events for their students.
  • Virtual internship fairs: Match companies with students seeking internship opportunities. Rutgers, for instance, hosts virtual career and internship fairs each fall.
  • Networking and panel discussions: Host sessions and webinars to enable job seekers to interact with industry professionals and stay updated on job market trends. Organizations like Women in Tech frequently arrange networking events with tips to help women advance their careers in the tech industry.
  • Onboarding and orientation: Use virtual career fair platforms to welcome and train new employees, particularly those working remotely.
  • Open houses: Showcase your company's culture and values to attract candidates who resonate with your organization. Events like the New York Film Academy Online Open House allow attendees to learn about programs, admissions requirements, financial aid, and scholarships.
  • Skill development workshops: Offer workshops and training sessions, such as interview prep, resume building, and tips to enhance job seekers’ chances of getting hired.

Virtual Career Fair Software Platforms: Last Words

You might have noticed that general event management systems often offer free plans, which can be tempting. But here's the thing: Virtual career fair platforms, designed specifically for hiring purposes, have unique features that you won't find in those general systems.

These features include talent matchmaking automation, where job seekers get matched with jobs that suit their skills, and integrations with HR tools for streamlined sourcing, assessments, and data transfer. So, if you're serious about recruiting, it's worth keeping that in mind.

One more handy tip for your virtual career fair platform search: don't be hesitant to ask vendors for a free trial, even if they don't advertise it openly on their websites. Some of them are willing to offer it if you just ask. After all, there's no better way to know if a tool is the perfect fit for you than to give it a test drive.

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