The first virtual recruitment fair was organized and held this week (April 22-24) in Italy. The manifestation was hosted by a local organization called BIP (Borsa Internationale del Placement, or International Placement Market), and attracted more than 85 companies, 70 universities and 15,000 candidates.

Seems too obvious, but in fact it was just like a real fair. Stands, information desks and real interviews organized through video chat. Thus not only a repository for job offers and CVs, but a real meeting where people could exchange and get to know each other. And if you need a proof that it was a success, take a glance at the list of participating companies : IBM, Microsoft, Accenture, P&G, L'Oreal, and many other really big ones (big like… PricewaterhouseCoopers or Pirelli). And how many universities can there be in Italy? 70 were present!

The organizer, BIP, organizes also a "real" Forum with the same objectives. After having gathered some experience (not very much, to be completely honest) in this job, they just thought that virtualizing the whole shebang makes sense. And they couldn't be more right!

[ via Sassuolo 2000 ]