Looking at a current study by Trendence (2018) shows that the current Generation Y is particularly interested in recruiting events. From several thousand interviewed young professionals and students:
- almost 60% have already attended a recruiting event
- 30% are considering attending a recruiting event
- 10% are unsure or reject such events
Use recruiting events as feedback
Of course, the advantages of such recruiting events are that you stand out from the crowd, get to know the employer better and maybe even secure points of sympathy for yourself.
However, I see another useful advantage. Even if you are active in the job, you should attend recruiting events for two reasons:
Reason 1: expand your personal network
On the one hand, you often meet decision-makers and important company employees at the events. My tip: talk to employees in a relaxed atmosphere and then network (e.g. Xing). Such contacts are often worth their weight in gold. You will also receive internal information such as which customers the company has and what are the following plans. So you build up internal knowledge of the industry. In conversations with other companies, you will quickly be seen as a real insider in the industry. Important: Never give company names and be careful with internal information. I often ask if I can pass this information on. The companies are often proud of their successes.
Reason 2: sharpen your profile and get feedback
Another important point is that you can ask: Which skills do you need and which experiences do you value? This information can be used specifically to sharpen your own profile.
example : If you are at 3 events that talk about Big Data or Kubernetes, then it certainly makes sense if you read up on knowledge about this area. You can then take the new knowledge with you directly to your job and benefit from it there or position yourself for the future.
Reading tip: Build up the T-shape profile
Concrete example 1: For example, you work in the public sector and are an industry expert there, for example as an internal employee. At recruiting events with, for example, IT service providers, you will find out that your industry experience is very valuable. The company tells them: with a little IT skills, you could become an IT consultant for the public sector and join directly as a senior consultant. You can read the skills in a few weeks and the company will train you for the rest. The new job will bring you more salary and opportunities.
Concrete example 2: You are currently a developer and now want to become an IT architect. At events like this, you can find out which additional skills are required so that you would get the job and whether there might be a chance at the company and you as a “talent” are already getting into this position as an assistant architect.
Conclusion
Recruiting events are also useful if you do not want to change, as you can evaluate your profile and learn about new skills and market trends. You get out of your company and collect new impressions from the outside. It can definitely make sense, also in the context of your own job security. You can evaluate: Am I still attractive for the job market? I recommend always using this opportunity and ultimately expanding your personal network.
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