This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
Every year at our industry’s major trade shows, the floor is buzzing with new tech, exciting partnerships, and networking events. It is the busiest time of the year, and there is so much to accomplish, but something that many people may have never realized is all of the job interviews that are taking place there as well.
When it comes to hiring, it requires momentum. Shutting down interviewing for a week or two during tradeshow season just is not an option in this market. Even a five-minute check-in meeting or a text to attempt to meet up during the show goes a long way to a prospective candidate.
Trade shows are a great way to button up an interview process, and if done efficiently, it can actually make the interview process seem shorter and more streamlined – making you and your company look organized and efficient.
While some companies cannot be bothered during these activity-packed weeks to take their eyes off the prize, every year at ISC West and GSX, my team has candidates out on interview meeting up privately and sealing the deal. Your company can too.
You might be wondering with all those eyes and ears how it can be possible to have a confidential conversation. Honestly, some methods are easier than others, but here are four ideas:
1. Private Suite: Many companies have opted for private suites off the show floor that provide a secluded, quiet area for hiring managers to meet up and get eyes on a prospective candidate. This is the simplest way to maintain confidentiality as it provides a separate space. Unfortunately, not every company has the luxury of a private suite, but there are alternatives.
2. Quick Meetups: Sometimes, candidates will meet with companies for lunch, while they are on break, or somewhere else off the show floor to meet briefly to say a quick hello if the interview process is closer to the finish line. This is a great way for hiring officials to get eyes on a candidate and build a level of comfort in an otherwise virtual world. If the interview process has been via phone or zoom prior this is a great final closing step.
3. At Industry Events: Keynote speaker engagements, breakfasts, and other events present a great opportunity for quick meetings as well. Candidates and managers will sync up to listen to a panel one of them is presenting on, or to watch a demo and make a quick introduction.
4. Booth Visit: This method of meeting is more overt; thus, for comfort on both sides, they must be agreed upon in advance. Hiring managers and candidates will sometimes arrange for a low-key meeting at the booth so the manager can witness a candidate’s product demo to see how well the candidate is able to present the product or even listen to them speak on a panel that they are involved in. On the other hand, inviting a candidate to your booth to demo products, meet some other team members or even just to shake a hand is a great way to welcome a new member of the team.
Clearly there are many effective ways to show interest in a candidate while at a trade show. The most important piece to remember is to arrange it ahead of time, and by gauging the logical next step in the interview process, you will find that one of the above methods should help to keep the interview process rolling smoothly.
Ryan Joseph is an Executive Recruiter for Recruit Group (https://recruitgrp.com), with a focus on security industry operations, sales, and sales leadership. For help with your security recruiting efforts, contact her at [email protected] or call (954) 278-8286.
