EAB’s Virtual Employer Engagement Playbook helps career services leaders think through various virtual employer engagement considerations with tools, best practice tactics, and examples from other higher education institutions.
This time last year, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers were gearing up for another fall recruiting season of jet setting across the country to meet students and represent their organizations at on campus recruitment events. This academic year, with the pandemic forcing higher education and employers alike to eliminate or severely restrict their in-person activities, student and employer interaction will look very different way.
To help connect students and employers, career services leaders must migrate offerings to a virtual environment. While this past spring and summer served as a trial period for virtual offerings, employers and students expect career services leaders to offer high quality virtual experiences this fall. To meet this expectation, career services leaders must create a curated suite of employer engagement offerings and prepare students and employers for successful virtual interactions. Additionally, career services leaders must demonstrate a commitment to accessible and equitable virtual offerings to ensure all students and employers can fully participate in and benefit from virtual career services activities.
Rethink employer engagement offerings in a virtual spaceWhile many colleges and universities have a tried-and-true playbook for in person career fairs, career services leaders must rethink how career fairs will look different in a virtual environment. Career services leaders must rethink aspects such as the size and organization of fairs, participation fees, and sponsorship opportunities.
Outside of recruiting, employers are hungry to interact with students and build relationships. Even if an employer is not hiring, they still recognize…