What is a virtual career fair?

A virtual career fair is an online event where employers and job seekers connect in real time through digital platforms. Much like traditional in-person job fairs, these events allow businesses to promote open roles, meet potential candidates, and screen applicants—but entirely over the internet.

For small business owners, virtual career fairs offer a cost-effective, efficient way to attract talent, especially when you’re hiring multiple positions or expanding into new locations. With Homebase, you can streamline job postings, track applicants, and get hiring-ready before and after a virtual event—without needing a large HR team.

How virtual career fairs work

Virtual career fairs are typically hosted on specialized platforms or as part of community or industry partnerships. They include a combination of employer booths, chatrooms, webinars, and one-on-one messaging tools that allow businesses and job seekers to interact.

Employers typically:

• Set up a digital booth or company profile
• Share open roles and job descriptions
• Upload brochures, videos, or FAQs
• Chat live with attendees
• Schedule or conduct virtual interviews
• Collect resumes and follow up post-event

Job seekers can browse booths, drop their resumes, and ask questions—all from their computer or phone. This format makes it easy for small businesses to cast a wide net without the expense of travel, printed materials, or staff time spent on physical setup.

Benefits of virtual career fairs for small businesses

Virtual career fairs can be especially valuable for small employers who want to reach more candidates without straining their resources.

1. Wider reach

Unlike in-person fairs that attract a local audience, virtual events can bring in applicants from across your region—or even nationwide. This is ideal for businesses hiring remote roles or for multiple locations.

2. Lower cost

There are no venue fees, travel expenses, or printed materials. Most platforms offer affordable access for small businesses and often partner with local chambers of commerce, workforce boards, or schools.

3. Faster hiring process

You can screen and connect with candidates instantly via live chat or video. This reduces the lag between job application and first contact.

4. Improved employer branding

A well-designed digital booth lets you showcase your company culture, benefits, and values—even if you’re a small business that doesn’t yet have a big online presence.

5. Flexible participation

You can join from your laptop, adjust your availability during the event, and loop in other managers or team members without coordinating travel or logistics.

What to prepare before attending a virtual career fair

Preparation is key to standing out during a virtual event. Here’s what to have ready:

• Job postings: Clear, skills-based descriptions with pay ranges, locations, and shifts
• Company overview: A short, compelling summary of your mission, values, and team culture
• FAQs: Anticipate common questions about schedules, benefits, growth opportunities, and training
• Branding assets: Upload your logo, team photos, or a short video message from a manager or owner
• Interview availability: Block off time to speak with candidates or schedule follow-ups immediately

Homebase can help streamline this process by organizing your hiring materials, applicant tracking, and team communication in one place.

During the event: Best practices

To get the most value out of your virtual career fair experience:

• Be responsive: Greet candidates quickly in the chat and let them know you're available
• Use pre-screening questions: Ask about availability, experience, or certifications upfront
• Show your human side: Share real stories from your team and let your company’s personality come through
• Track candidates by interest: Note who would be a good fit for current or future roles
• Be clear about next steps: Let applicants know if and when you’ll follow up, and how

Virtual doesn’t mean impersonal—candidates want transparency and engagement just like they would in person.

After the event: How to follow up

Following up is critical, especially since candidates may attend multiple virtual fairs in a short time. Be sure to:

• Send thank-you emails or messages to strong prospects
• Schedule interviews quickly for candidates you want to move forward
• Upload resumes and notes into your applicant tracking system
• Assess your hiring needs and update your job postings accordingly

Staying organized helps you capitalize on the momentum of the event and prevents good candidates from slipping through the cracks.

How Homebase helps you get the most out of virtual recruiting

Homebase supports small businesses with everything they need to manage hiring—before, during, and after a virtual career fair. From creating job posts to managing applicants to onboarding new team members, Homebase makes your process faster, simpler, and more organized.

With Homebase, you can:

• Post jobs to top online boards in one click
• Track candidates and move them through hiring stages
• Manage communications and interview scheduling
• Digitally onboard new hires with tax forms and training tools
• Connect hiring with scheduling, time tracking, and payroll

Explore Homebase Hiring and Onboarding to build a hiring system that works for virtual events, local outreach, and everything in between.