Virtual Job Fairs Gain Momentum

ON24 Customer Examples Illustrate Benefits to Both Employers and Job Seekers

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—March 9, 2012— According to ON24, the global leader in webcasting and virtual event solutions, one of the fastest growing applications for virtual event technologies is the virtual career fair. The total number of virtual job fairs produced on the ON24 platform doubled in 2011 over 2010 totals. In addition, the virtual job fairs attracted the largest audiences.

“While the top application for ON24’s virtual event platform remains marketing and demand generation, the growing acceptance of the virtual career fair alternative has been dramatic,” said ON24 CMO Denise Persson. She attributes this to economic factors and the inefficiencies of traditional recruiting methods.

Despite the improving economy, unemployment remains an issue for most companies, she explained. “But even companies that are hiring have trouble finding qualified candidates. Traditional techniques aren’t effective or efficient in a global economy, yet their costs are high. Employers need a larger talent pool from which to draw and assistance matching open positions with available candidates. The solution is the virtual job fair.”

Benefits of virtual job fairs include cost-effective, faster recruiting and greater reach. Employers can also offer downloadable materials and conduct “mini-interviews” on the spot within the ON24 environment. Here is an example:

• SAE International Virtual Career Fair
  SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE uses the ON24 platform for its virtual career fairs, online events that successfully, efficiently and affordably connect hundreds of job seekers with hiring companies in the mobility industry.

There are many benefits for job seekers as well. A virtual career fair can shorten the time needed to find a job and also provide instant access to thousands of open positions. “This sort of experience just can’t be duplicated at a traditional job fair,” Persson said. Other benefits for candidates include:

• Apply and interview for hundreds, or even thousands, of jobs, without travel
• Access with ease—all that is needed to participate is a PC, laptop or mobile device

Virtual career fairs provide both candidates and employers with a convenient way to connect – reducing the time and costs associated with traditional career events. Job seekers also have opportunities to quickly and efficiently interact with professional recruiters from multiple hiring companies in the online venue. “Both job seekers and hiring companies find that the virtual environment provided by ON24 is a great place to meet, connect and communicate. It is a fast and engaging process that saves everyone time and money,” Persson explained.

About ON24

ON24, the virtual communications platform for the global enterprise, provides interactive, impactful cloud-based solutions that drive outstanding results. ON24 offers a broad and innovative product portfolio, including webcasting, virtual events and virtual environments, accessible from any device and supported by robust reporting and analytics. Applications for the ON24 communication platform include demand generation, partner enablement, training, product launches, company town hall meetings and user conferences. More than 700 organizations, including IBM, CA Technologies, Merck, Unilever, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Credit Suisse, Ernst & Young, Amazon and New York Life, rely on ON24. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices throughout the world. For more information, visit www.ON24.com.