On March 4 and 5, the University of Navarra held its virtual fair employment, Virtual Career Forum, with the goal aim of multiplying job opportunities for its students and graduates and responding to the hiring needs of companies.

Despite the status caused by COVID-19, 83 companies, associations and NGOs from various sectors opted to seek talent at the University of Navarra, including Amazon, Attendis, Banco Santander, Caja Rural de Navarra, Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Navarra, National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA), Business Confederation of Navarra (CEN), Danone, El Corte Inglés, Florette and Iberdrola. A total of 833 students and 240 graduates of different profiles were registered at the fair.

"In these times of crisis, with 40% unemployment among those under 25 years of age, the University of Navarra has once again committed to promoting employment rate and connecting the university and business world through the online format," says Roberto Cabezas, director of Career Services at the University of Navarra.

Participants were able to apply to 255 offers published by the companies and made a total of 1,739 applications. Mamen Ferrer Ortiz is studying 4th year of the Degree in Economics + Leadership and Governance Program and is already in a selection process which she accessed through the fair: "This gives us a privileged view on the selection processes and on the functioning of business and its culture, which is also very useful to clarify doubts about how your profile fits in different companies. It is a tool that can give you a competitive advantage".

Marta G. Tudela Toledo was another of the students who did not miss the fair. This 4th year student of the Degree in Marketing + Corporate Communication Program considers that "it is a great opportunity to find out what companies are asking for, learn about their offers at employment for recent graduates and contact recruiters. As many of them are working remotely, I think this option is the most appropriate".

Business and academia connected

"We provide companies with the best university talent, with a quality academic and humanistic training . The transfer of this talent to society drives us to continue innovating," says Roberto Cabezas. Ana San Agustín, Recruiter Manager EMEA of Amazon Spain, one of the participating companies, agrees with this, who assures that "the University of Navarra is always a great talent source . The candidates have very complete profiles and are very well prepared".

The virtual fair at employment facilitates networking opportunities. This year, as a novelty, the companies organized online presentations and communicated via video chat with the participants. Joaquín Eugui, student of the 4th year of Degree in Technology Engineering at the School of Engineering (Tecnun), emphasizes that "the proximity so characteristic of the face-to-face format of other years has been maintained".

Recruiters also highlight this proximity to students and graduates despite being on the other side of the screen. Alex Mendoza García, from department de Selección de Caja Rural de Navarra, comments that "the flexibility and accessibility provided by the online format offers a very interesting alternative; it is possible to create the same link through digital channels". "It was necessary, especially in this context, to develop new bridges to connect students with companies," adds Alex Mendoza.

Through a web seminar prior to the fair, participating students and graduates learned how to network effectively. The participating companies emphasize that the initiative is core topic to be successful in these meetings, as Fatima Garcia Costoya, from department of People of CEU Colleges, points out: "Several students wrote to us via chat or e-mail asking for an interview to get to know us better. We have perceived a great desire to work and a lot of interest in getting to know the background of our project".

Marta Gil Latorre, director of management of People at the National Center for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA), also values positively the attitude of the participating students and graduates: "The entire CNTA team is very grateful for having participated and for having met such interested and committed students."

The virtual fair of employment also means giving visibility to companies so that students and graduates can discover more professional alternatives. "We have found all subject of facilities to show our project educational , and there is grade the illusion to undertake challenges in this field among the students of the University", assures Mario Serrano Vicente, manager of training and teaching of department of Education and development staff of Attendis.

The University of Navarra held the first edition of its virtual fair of employment general in February 2020, and a second sectorial fair of Banking and consultancy service in October of the same year. In addition to online activities, Career Services organizes face-to-face meetings with the business world in accordance with the security measures established by the health authorities.

Participating companies (2021)

3p Biopharmaceuticals, Abante Asesores, ABB Niessen, Aciturri, Adventure Volunteer, Alcampo, Altran (part of Capgemini), Amazon, Aon, Atrevia, Attendis, Ayesa, Banco Santander, BBVA, Bosonit, Bostnan, Caja Rural de Navarra, Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Navarra, CEN business Navarra, CNTA, Colegios CEU, Congelados de Navarra, Ctic quotation, Danone, Decathlon, Deloitte, El Corte Inglés, Elecnor, Enagás, EULEN, EY, Florette, Gi Group, GKN Driveline, group Antolin, group Bimbo, group Riberebro, Huawei, Iberdrola, Ibermática, Ikos Consulting Iberia, Indaux, Inserta employment de Fundación Once, Iruñampleo, Job and Talent, Kemet Corner, KPMG España, Kreab Iberia, Laboratorios Normon, LINQcase Industrial Solutions, LLYC, Maier Navarra, Management Solutions, Manutención y Manipulacion ERAMAN, Matz Erreka, Medicsen, Mondelez International, Nfq Advisory Services, Philips, Prodigioso Volcán, Pulsa average Consulting, PwC, RDT Ingenieros, SALTO Systems, Santalucía Seguros, Sarralle, SENER, Siemens Healthineers, Simon Kucher & Partners, SKF Española, Smart Residences, Suscrip, Tecnalia, Telefónica, Thermo Fisher, University of Navarra, Vicomtech, Vidorreta Design, Vitae Professionals, Wavegarden, West Telco Europa, Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC) and Zardoya Otis.