Summer is the perfect time for small businesses to bring on seasonal help—and hosting a job fair is one of the most effective ways to find the right candidates quickly. Whether you need retail associates, food service staff, or extra hands for special projects, a well-run job fair can connect you with motivated applicants while strengthening your brand in the local community.
At TLitrich Solutions, we help small businesses streamline their HR processes, and hosting a job fair is one smart, proactive strategy for your summer hiring needs. Here’s how to plan, promote, and execute a summer job fair that delivers real results.
1. Who Needs Summer Staff?
Many small businesses experience a spike in demand during the summer months and need to ramp up staffing to keep up. Hosting a job fair is especially useful if your business falls into one of these seasonal categories:
Common Businesses That Hire Extra Help in Summer:
- Retail stores – especially in tourist-heavy areas or near beaches and attractions
- Restaurants, cafes, and food trucks – more outdoor dining and travel means higher traffic
- Landscaping and lawn care services – peak time for yard work, cleanups, and installations
- Summer camps and childcare providers – high demand when school is out
- Hospitality and tourism businesses – hotels, resorts, and guided tour companies need more staff
- Event venues and caterers – weddings, reunions, and festivals are in full swing
- Pools, waterparks, and recreation centers – lifeguards, attendants, and maintenance staff needed
- Theme parks and amusement centers – ride operators, food vendors, and guest services
- Museums and cultural attractions – educational programs and guided tours increase in summer
- Ice cream shops, concessions, and roadside stands – extra workers for long lines and warm weather demand
- Construction and home improvement companies – more projects and longer workdays
If your business operates in any of these areas, a summer job fair is a smart and efficient way to meet your hiring goals.
2. Plan With Purpose
Start by defining what success looks like. Are you trying to fill a few part-time positions, build a candidate pool for future needs, or simply boost community awareness? Once your goals are clear, you can build your event around them.
Key Planning Steps:
- Pick a date and time that works for your target candidates (e.g., weekday afternoons or weekends when students are free).
- Choose a venue—your business location, a local community center, or even a shared outdoor space like a park or farmers market.
- List job openings clearly, including job descriptions, required availability, and application instructions.
- Set up stations for interviews, applications, and Q&A with team members.
3. Promote Strategically
The best job fair won’t do any good without attendees. A targeted promotion plan will ensure you reach the right candidates—those looking for summer work and available to start soon.
Promotion Tips:
- Create a simple event page on your website or a platform like Eventbrite.
- Post to local job boards (Indeed, Craigslist, local university and high school career sites).
- Leverage social media. Share countdown posts, setup previews, and testimonials from past employees.
- Email past applicants or seasonal workers and invite them to reapply or refer friends.
- Hang flyers in libraries, gyms, coffee shops, ice cream stands, and community bulletin boards.
4. Run the Fair Efficiently
Make your event feel organized, upbeat, and welcoming. Candidates should be able to arrive, learn about open roles, and interview on the spot if possible.
Day-of Checklist:
- Welcome table with sign-in sheet and info packets
- Labeled stations by job type or department
- On-site application forms (paper or tablets)
- Water, snacks, and upbeat music for atmosphere
- Staff on hand to answer questions and guide attendees
- A designated area for on-the-spot interviews
5. Find the Right Fit
Focus not only on resumes, but on personalities and work ethic. For many seasonal roles, attitude and flexibility matter more than experience.
Best Practices for Screening:
- Ask situational questions like, “How would you handle a rush of customers?”
- Consider availability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, or holidays.
- Observe how candidates interact with your team and other attendees.
- Use a simple rating sheet to track impressions and follow-up needs.
6. Follow Up Fast
After the event, send out thank-you emails to all attendees and let them know when to expect next steps. Be sure to follow up quickly with top candidates before they accept other offers.
Post-Event Actions:
- Email or call selected candidates for second interviews or job offers.
- Keep strong candidates in a file for future openings.
- Share event highlights on social media to show your community involvement.
Ready to Host Your Own Summer Job Fair?
If you need help organizing, promoting, or hiring from your summer job fair, TLitrich Solutions is here to support you. From crafting job descriptions to screening candidates and onboarding new hires, our HR consultants help small businesses grow with confidence.
Contact us today to make this summer your most productive—and profitable—yet.
✅ SUMMER JOB FAIR CHECKLIST for SMALL BUSINESSES
✔️ 1. Pre-Event Planning
- ☐ Choose a date, time, and location (consider afternoons or weekends)
- ☐ Identify job openings and write clear descriptions
- ☐ Assign team members to handle interviews, check-in, and Q&A
- ☐ Gather materials (applications, signage, company info, pens, tables, chairs)
✔️ 2. Promote the Fair
- ☐ Post on your website and social media
- ☐ Share on local job boards and school career centers
- ☐ Email former employees and applicants
- ☐ Hang flyers at coffee shops, ice cream stands, community centers
- ☐ Partner with local organizations to help spread the word
✔️ 3. Event Day Setup
- ☐ Welcome table with sign-in sheet
- ☐ Labeled stations for each role or department
- ☐ Printed job descriptions and applications
- ☐ Tablets or laptops for digital applications (optional)
- ☐ Water, snacks, upbeat music
- ☐ Space for on-the-spot interviews
✔️ 4. Interview and Screen
- ☐ Ask about availability, flexibility, and interest in summer work
- ☐ Use situational questions to assess fit
- ☐ Watch for positive attitude and communication skills
- ☐ Keep a simple scorecard for easy follow-up
✔️ 5. After the Fair
- ☐ Send thank-you emails to all attendees
- ☐ Follow up with top candidates within 48 hours
- ☐ Share photos or highlights online to boost brand visibility
- ☐ Store strong applicants for future hiring needs