Weeks in weeks out, I intend to display my ideas for new businesses since I believe NDAs are just crap (see my post here).
About 3 weeks ago, I attended my university’s career fair. Great organization, interesting companies, some guys I knew here and there, baggy girls suddenly dressing like executives,…Lots of fun. However, speaking to 30 HR people in 2 days made me go crazy: I felt like cattle. Here’s a typical dialogue:
Me: “Hello, my name is Jeremy Fain, I study computer science, telecommunications & project management @ Centrale Paris although I’ll obtain my Master in Management Science from HEC Paris next June. I went to your website and saw this great job opportunity that grabbed all my intention, hence the fact that you see me here, blablablablablabla“
The HR person: “Did you bring a résumé?“
I sure did…as if I had a tennis racket in my attaché case. But COME ONE, WHY CAN’T YOU SPEAK WITH SOMEONE WITHOUT HANDING OUT YOUR RESUME? It happened once or twice, and I love it. I was so surprised that I actually asked after a few minutes: “I brought a CV. Would you like to see it?”. The best answers I get are: no thanks. This kind of people focuses on what counts: human interaction, body language, and the skills they can detect on the spot – not degrees and awards. This is the sort of guys you want to work with/for/compete against.
To go back to the actual business idea, I believe a lot could be automatized in both career and trade fairs. A way implement such a change would be to organize Virtual Fairs. I know it already exists, but I’m not sure it’s been 100% satisfying yet. There’s in my humble opinion a market for a well-architectured virtual fair software allowing fair organizers to market their event, companies to register and attend virtually, and candidates/customers to attend..no less virtually.
How do you think such an idea may be implemented? Does it already exist somewhere? Feel free to elaborate, I have to say I haven’t thought too much yet on the matter.
Jeremy, you make some great points. As a HR person who attends university career fairs, the experience is not exactly efficient from an employer’s perspective either. While career fairs are a great way to promote an organisation and have some good conversations about career opportunities with students, they are very time consuming and resource intensive. You tend to get asked the same questions over and over again and a lot depends on how well the university has organised the event. I had my first experience of promoting my organisation at a virtual career fair this week, and I can see huge potential for designing better software that creates a good experience for both the employer and student. I am keen to hear if anyone has any recommendations about existing software.
Comment by Neville Henderson — March 23, 2007 @ 21:43
Had an extremely interesting lesson at HEC on marketing luxury through the web.
Our teacher, an approved entrepreneur, is about to create a virtual shopping experience. This software will enable customers to walk on the most famous shopping streets worldwide (Champs Elysees & co.) online.
The users will be able to enter virtual shops and buy goods online.
Comment by rupertschiessl — March 23, 2007 @ 23:47