Virtual Employer Engagement Playbook

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 space

While 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 the importance to building relationships and their brand to support the development of their future talent pipeline. Simultaneously, students are eager to engage with employers in more meaningful settings that help them build their network and develop professionally. Career services can meet these needs through employer engagement offerings such as virtual career treks, employer office hours with students, and employer panels.

When creating virtual offerings for employers and students, career services must consider the new barriers a virtual environment presents. Career services leaders must create accessible events and ensure fair practices with employer and vendor partners. The shift to a virtual environment also represents an opportunity to offer more events centered around topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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Prepare employers and students to set them up for success in a virtual environment

Career services leaders must over-prepare students and employers for successful interactions in a virtual environment. Career services leaders should prepare employers by helping them get to know students ahead of time, providing guidance on how to engage students, and facilitating opportunities to follow up with students. Students need guidance on how to prepare their environment for virtual engagement, how to interact with employers virtually, and how to research employers in advance of the interaction.

The success of your virtual employer engagement hinges on how ready both employers and students are to engage in a virtual environment.

Career services offices also must provide students and employers with extensive technology guidance. They must ensure both parties can request accommodations, access technology guidance ahead of time, and conduct a practice session, if desired. During the event, career services should make sure students and employers know who they can contact for troubleshooting support.

Set Employers Up For Success

Download the Playbook