While there are platforms built specifically for hosting virtual career fairs, organizations may already have a powerful tool at their disposal: their Learning Management System (LMS). With the right setup, an LMS can serve as an effective and engaging virtual career fair environment for both job seekers and employers.

In this blog, we’ll explore how virtual career fairs work, the benefits of hosting them within an LMS, and the steps involved in organizing a successful event.

How Virtual Career Fairs Work

Virtual career fairs function much like their in-person counterparts. Job seekers “enter” the event—hosted within an LMS—and browse through participating employers’ virtual booths. Each booth allows job seekers to learn more about the organization, available positions, and next steps.

Within an LMS-based career fair, job seekers can:

• Watch employer videos or review presentations
• Explore open positions and role-specific information
• Upload resumes and supporting documents
• Submit questions to employers
• Register for live Q&A sessions or informational meetings
• Schedule interviews or follow-up conversations

The result is an experience that mirrors the flow of a traditional career fair—without geographic or scheduling limitations.

Steps to Organize a Virtual Career Fair Using an LMS

Successfully organizing a virtual career fair requires thoughtful planning—just like an in-person event. Below are key steps and best practices to guide the process:

1. Lead the effort

Identify the organization or group responsible for coordinating the event—whether that’s a workforce board, college, employer, or consortium. Clearly define the value of the event and ensure consistent messaging for employers and job seekers.

2. Select the platform

If you already use an LMS, evaluate whether it supports the features needed for a virtual career fair. If not, compare available options. (Canvas remains a strong LMS option for flexibility and user experience.)

3. Set a budget and define goals

Consider LMS licensing, user limits, and administrative costs. As Jeffrey Harris, E-Learning Development Specialist at EDSI, notes:

“When setting a budget, it’s important to establish the total number of user accounts you’re willing to support. With API integrations, it’s possible to cap participation so costs remain controlled.”

Clarify event goals early:

• Number of employers and job seekers
• Types of positions and industries
• Information employers want to share
• Desired outcomes (applications, interviews, hires)

4. Decide on live components

Determine whether employers will host live Q&A sessions or information sessions. Live components can increase engagement but require additional coordination and clear communication.

5. Build the fair within the LMS

Key components typically include:

• Participant account setup
• Event welcome page
• Employer virtual booths

Each booth may feature:

• Employer overview pages (text, images, videos)
• Pages for open positions
• Resume upload functionality
• Question submission forms (text or video)
• Links to live sessions
• Interview scheduling options
• Resume review tools for employers

6. Market the event

Effective promotion is critical. Highlight ease of access, participating employers, and key benefits. Social media, partner outreach, email campaigns, and visually engaging graphics can all help drive participation.