Claire Angus, Head of Recruitment Gateway at Cambridge Network said:
“Lockdown forced us to change the format of our recruitment events, from face-to-face to a succession of virtual jobs & careers fairs. These virtual events were instrumental in keeping companies and potential employees connected when they couldn't meet in person. This year we decided that it was about time that we took the plunge and brought people back together again.
This jobs fair was the first step back into a physical space for this type of event. Although our virtual events are here to stay too, given the ease at which people can tune in and attend from anywhere in the world! But we also believe that you can't beat a face-to-face connection when hiring.”
The event took place at the Postdoc Centre, Eddington, Cambridge, and was attended by over 150 job seekers along with exhibiting companies including ARU, Owlstone Medical, Redgate Software, SPT Labtech, Collabora, Wonde, Multimatic, Cambrionix, Kameo Recruitment, ECM and SoCode.
Exhibiting stands were busy all day with some companies struggling to stop for lunch! Cambridge Network was over the moon to see so many people in attendance, and to hear the buzz of connections being made.
Feedback the team received following the event has been extremely positive, with at least three job seekers that we know of having been offered interviews on the spot!
Zena Hockley, Recruitment Manager at ARU said:
“The Cambridge Network recruitment fair was a valuable opportunity to promote ARU as a local employer. Our recruitment team benefited from engaging conversations and building connections with people interested in a career with us. There was a continuous influx of visitors throughout the day. At one point, people were patiently queuing to speak with us!”
A job seeker, Ian Whitehead said:
“I’ve recently been made redundant after 16 years and attending the jobs fair was recommended. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I need not have worried, the Post Doc Centre was a positive space, with various eye-catching stands and people engaging and sharing ideas. It possessed an energy that felt mutually supportive. I soon discovered how beneficial these face-to-face conversations were. I was given several valuable leads I intend to follow up on. The Cambridge Network Jobs and Careers Fair popped up at just the right time, attending the event sparked many fruitful conversations.”
There are more Cambridge Network recruitment events planned later this year, including a virtual jobs fair on the 15th of September 2023 and a face-to-face candidate evening on the 17th of November 2023.