Students and grads want a variety of ways to connect with potential employers.

But out of all the options available, networking events reign supreme. In fact, 78% of our student panel picked this type of event over others like information sessions and career fairs. It makes sense why this would be the case: if you’re trying to get hired, getting face time with a recruiter can be invaluable. Additionally, even if you don’t land the gig, establishing that relationship might open other doors down the road.

But it’s not only students and new grads who benefit from these kinds of events! Networking enables recruiters to ask the thoughtful questions that allow you to get to know potential candidates on a deeper level; something that is not always possible at more high-volume engagements.

However, if you really want to stand out to your talent pool, try attending or hosting one of the following events!

Breakfast Session

Most networking events are in the evening, so why not flip this idea on its head by hosting a breakfast session? Instead of trying to muster up the energy to chit chat after a long day of work, you can get cracking on making those connections first thing in the morning. And if you’re not a morning person, I’m sure the promise of yummy croissants and fresh fruit might convince you that early risers are the new night owls.

Reverse Career Fair

We wrote a whole article on why recruiters should embrace the reverse career fair so needless to say, we’re big fans of the concept. Not only do you get access to top students and get to see what they can do, the more open and relaxed environment helps put your talent pool at ease, leading to more productive conversations. In short, it’s a great way to meet a variety of high-quality candidates, and build your brand on campus at the same time.

Career Workshops

Essentially, these are interactive presentations where you get to share your expertise with your talent pool. Unlike your typical information session, the topics for these are a little less specific to your company and more related to the general information young job seekers crave, such as job hunting tips, interview skills, resume and cover letter advice, and more! However, you can still promote your company in whatever way you choose.

You might be thinking, “What’s the purpose of hosting a workshop that is not specifically related to my company?” Well, students and new grads are attracted to employers that want to invest in their career development. Taking the time to help them and nurture their growth will help the talent come to you, rather than the other way around. It will also help your own career by establishing yourself as not just a recruiter, but an authority in the field. Additionally, post-workshop Q&As are a great way to connect with the most engaged students one-one-one.

Meet-ups

If time and resources allow, invite students and new grads into your office space for an informal chat about the company. A big benefit of events like this is employer branding – there is no better way to experience a company culture than to see it first-hand. If your company offers a fun and modern work environment, this is the perfect opportunity to show it off.

On the flip side, your talent pool will love the uniqueness of the opportunity. After all, it’s not everyday you get a sneak peek at your dream job. Plus, it gives them the chance to assess cultural fit before they even apply. For instance, if an office space is very open and noisy, a potential candidate can decide long before they apply whether they could adapt to the environment, or be better suited for something different.

TalentEgg Office Hours

If you love the idea of the Reverse Career Fair but don’t have the time to attend another in-person event, considering hosting a TalentEgg Office Hours session. These online hour-long live chats connect experienced recruiters like yourselves with engaged and career oriented students and grads. Students also benefit from the convenience of a virtual event. Additionally, an online session is more inclusive to quieter candidates who may be intimidated to approach a campus recruiter at a busy event.

While there will always be a place for the typical types of recruitment events, it’s always a good idea to try something new once in awhile. You never know – some of these might just become your new go-tos!

Discussion: Which types of campus recruitment networking events do you find most effective?

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