Are you juggling ambitious hiring goals with limited time and budget, and still expected to make every career fair a win? You’re not alone.
Many recruiters report that balancing hybrid events, Gen Z’s demand for quick interactions, and the need for measurable results can be overwhelming. With the appropriate technology, you can streamline these processes and focus on what matters: building genuine connections.
But here’s the encouraging part: Technology continues to advance, offering tools that transform these hurdles into advantages. The 2024-25 Career Services Benchmarks Report from NACE shows that hybrid fairs have become the standard, with the majority of career centers blending in-person and virtual formats to maximize reach and efficiency out of 551 NACE respondents:
As your trusted partner in the campus recruitment fair at Rakuna, we are here to guide you through the top three technologies transforming these events. These are practical, data-backed solutions to ease your workload and boost outcomes.
AI-powered career recruitment fair platforms are intelligent systems that leverage machine learning to automate resume screening, candidate matching, and personalized interactions at events. They integrate with apps or virtual booths, providing real-time insights like skill-based recommendations or chatbot responses to queries.
The appeal lies in tackling the overload of leads—manual sorting often means missing top talent amid the event chaos.
Gartner’s 2025 survey of 3,000 job candidates found that only 26% trust AI to evaluate them fairly, yet organizations using AI in talent acquisition see improvements in efficiency, with 37% of the workforce expected to be impacted by generative AI in the next 2-5 years.
For Gen Z, who prioritize quick, but clear digital engagement (with NACE reporting hybrid and in-person formats aligning with their job preferences), these platforms are a right step toward a high-speed but still high-impact recruitment process
To implement AI effectively, integrate it with a CRM like Rakuna’s for smooth data flow. Our clients use this to flag top candidates mid-event, saving over five hours on reviews. Customize the AI to your job criteria; for example, at a fair, it scans profiles for skills like coding and prompts immediate chats. Audit regularly for bias following SHRM guidelines to ensure fairness, and pre-test chatbots. Handshake’s optimized features have boosted qualified leads by 25%.
Mobile-first fair apps are smartphone-optimized tools for on-the-spot data capture, like resume scans and scheduling. At the same time, CRM integration unifies this with automated nurturing across channels such as SMS or LinkedIn.
They address the frustration of disorganized leads, paper trails lead to lost opportunities, and wasted time. SHRM’s 2025 recruiting benchmarking report notes that 69% of organizations face difficulties recruiting for full-time positions. CRM integrations can automate workflows to ease this, with SMS open rates reaching 98% for quick outreach. Gen Z, with NACE highlighting their preference for flexible modalities in entry-level jobs, benefits from this tech, turning brief visits into nurtured relationships.
💡For best results, select apps with OCR AI, such as Rakuna’s, for QR scans that sync to CRM, envisage capturing 50 leads in hours, with auto-texts maintaining momentum.
Trigger multi-channel follow-ups; EZ Texting’s 2025 report shows SMS open rates at 98%, ideal for Gen Z. Monitor real-time metrics via dashboards to adjust on the fly, and prioritize privacy compliance (e.g., GDPR) to foster trust, as recommended by SHRM. The seamless process converts casual visits into loyal talent pools
Immersive technology leverages augmented reality, provides digital overlays (interactive demos), and VR creates simulated tours; gamified quizzes and challenges assess skills and boost candidate engagement.
It overcomes flat presentations at recruitment fairs where culture feels abstract, leaving candidates disengaged. The VR market is projected to grow from $15.9 billion in 2024 to $89.5 billion by 2033, with recruitment applications enhancing engagement. Deutsche Bahn’s AR previews appealed to Gen Z (NACE notes their interest in hybrid work and entrepreneurial paths), boosting interest, while Lloyds Bank’s VR made hiring more transparent and inclusive.
💡To use effectively, begin with VR tours linked to CRM. Rakuna tracks interactions for data-driven follow-ups, converting interest to applications. Add AR gamification for skill tests; IDC’s 2025 report on AR/VR headsets shows market rebound with 18.1% growth, ideal for Gen Z. Analyze with tools per Fortune Business Insights, and offer alternatives for accessibility, aligning with SHRM’s inclusive practices. This creates standout, memorable experiences that attract and retain diverse talent.
Navigating career recruitment fairs means blending empathy for your challenges with smart tech to deliver results. Whether it’s AI screening to save time, mobile-CRM for seamless nurturing, or immersive experiences to captivate Gen Z.
💡 These tools position your organization as a forward-thinking recruiter. Rakuna is committed to integrating these solutions, transforming career fairs into efficient, measurable talent pipelines.
Here’s a quick look at the tech shaping modern career fairs and how Rakuna gives you an edge:
AI-Powered Platforms: While AI helps automate screening in general, Rakuna’s AI ranks candidates for you on the spot, fitting right into your workflow.
Mobile-First Apps & CRM: These are key for boosting response rates. Our app seamlessly scans and syncs candidate data, letting you track leads from the fair all the way to a hire.
Immersive Tech (AR/VR): This tech creates amazing, engaging experiences. Rakuna captures that interaction data in our CRM, so your team can send smarter, personalized follow-ups.
📘 Want to dive deeper? Download our free ebook “The Recruiter’s Guide to Tech-Powered Campus Events” for step-by-step strategies and real case studies.
👉 And if you’re ready to see how Rakuna can transform your next recruitment fair, book a free demo today – let’s chat about your specific needs.
