While walking around the show, I was noticing the various carrier recruiting booths. They were pretty much all the same "popup tradeshow booths" with information about the carrier and the current pay pack.
One carrier, however, stood out. Adco Logistics, who happened to be right next to our booth, had one of the coolest setups I've seen for recruiting. They had two overstuffed reclining chairs, a large, ornate coffee table, and two wooden elephants. It turns out that Adco, in addition to hauling auto parts for the big 3 automakers, also imports handmade Indian furniture.
What I found really cool about this setup was that it looked so relaxing. Walking into that booth felt more like walking into someone's rec room than a job interview. They had literature about their pay package and owner-op requirements like the other carriers, but it still felt very inviting and distinctly different from all the other recruiters at the show.
The booth itself sent a message about the company - they didn't have to say what kind of environment they were trying to create, or how they treated employees, or any of that kind of stuff. The booth said it for them.
I think this is a great example of letting your values speak for you. If a picture is worth a thousand words, capturing the sense of an environment has to be worth ten thousand.
It's also a great example of standing out by being different. After walking through 5 halls of vendor exhibits, it gets hard to remember exactly who was who. However, everyone remembers "the guy with the comfy chairs". That kind of edge can go a long way.
If you're planning a recruiting event in the next little while, what can you do to be different and stand out? What can you do that demonstrates why your company is a great place to work? It could be the difference between a so-so event and a roaring success.
I know I'm looking forward to seeing Adco at the next show - my aching feet demand no less!
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