If you’ve ever stood at a career fair table watching potential candidates walk by, or worse, grab your job fair swag only to abandon it later on, you’ll be relieved to hear that giveaways for career fairs can actually be the thing that makes top talent stop, chat and remember your small business long after the event. Candidates want to connect with companies that get them—and your choice of career fair swag is a great way to show them you do while creating a lasting impression. We’ve compiled a list of 22 recruiting swag ideas so you can be sure to select the best job fair promotional items for your business.
- Design and create giveaways for job fairs that express your brand identity and show candidates what your company is really like to work for.
- The best career fair promotional items keep doing their job months after the event, reminding top candidates what your company stands for and why they should work for you.
- Instead of handing out basic swag to everyone at the career fair, save your best giveaway items for the candidates who you really connect with.
- Environmentally-friendly and innovative job fair giveaways show candidates your company is eco-minded and forward-thinking.
- Make your giveaways conversation starters—when candidates are genuinely excited about your job fair swag, meaningful connections are made.
Benefits of career fair swag
When people love your job fair goodies, they’re more likely to stop and learn what your company is about. Promotional products create a lasting impression and keep building brand awareness long after the recruitment event ends. That water bottle you handed out? It’s catching eyes at the gym. The power bank? It’s saving someone’s day. The branded travel mug? People are clocking your logo at the local coffee shop. Every time your branded swag is used, the recipient remembers the conversation they had with your team—and might even apply for a job with you.
22 top career fair giveaway ideas
Tech items and accessories
Let’s get real—technology rules our world. Want to make your mark and show potential employees that you’re a modern company? Try these career fair swag ideas.
1. Power banks
Power banks save the day when phones die mid-networking, keeping your connections alive. When you print your logo on a power bank, your brand will be associated with keeping the recipient’s day on track.
Source: Branded power bank via VistaPrint
2. Wireless chargers
Show candidates your business is ahead of the curve with branded wireless chargers as giveaway items.
Source: Branded technology via VistaPrint
3. USB drives
Hand out USB drives with your logo on to promising candidates. You can even load the memory stick with branded materials, letting them know what your company is all about.
4. Phone accessories
Phone accessories, including straps, grips, cases and wallets, make great giveaways for career fairs because the recipient will carry your branding with them wherever they go.
Source: Branded smartphone wallet via VistaPrint
5. Headphones
Print your logo on headphones for quality career fair swag that’s guaranteed to turn the right heads.
Save high-end tech items like portable chargers and headphones for standout candidates. It’s a subtle way to show extra appreciation and keep your company top-of-mind with your top picks.
6. Mouse mats
Mouse pads with your company slogan printed on brings your brand to their workspace—ideally your office!
Source: Mouse mat design by Muhammad Umar! via 99designs by Vista
Professional tools
Professional tools, like pens, notebooks and business card holders, help align your brand with professionalism.
7. Pens
Custom pens with your business name printed on are useful giveaways for career fairs that everyone will grab.
Source: Branded pens via VistaPrint
8. Notebooks
Give away branded notebooks, pads or journals with well-designed covers that people will be proud to pull out in meetings.
Source: Branded padfolio notebook via VistaPrint
9. Business card holders
Business card holders with your branding will help associate your brand with making meaningful connections, while making networking less awkward.
10. Desk accessories
Desk accessories help brighten up Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, or really, any time in the office.
Invest in the good stuff. One premium item that candidates love beats a dozen cheap ones they’ll throw away.
Eco-friendly giveaway ideas
Show you care about more than just profits by giving away eco-friendly items at the next recruitment event.
11. Water bottles
Hand out branded water bottles that prospective employees can reuse and carry with them wherever they go.
Source: Branded water bottle via VistaPrint
12. Office supplies
Environmentally-friendly office supplies like this eco notebook made using recycled cardboard let everyone at the career fair know what your brand values are.
13. Travel coffee mugs
Travel mugs make great branded giveaway items because your logo will be seen wherever the mug travels.
Source: Branded travel mug via VistaPrint
14. Desktop plant kits
Give grow kits to promising candidates so they can grow desk plants that flourish alongside their careers.
Pick items people actually fight to keep (professionally, of course). Think useful AND impressive. When your giveaway becomes someone’s everyday essential, your brand gets daily exposure.
Fun giveaways for job fairs
Because who said professional has to mean boring? These giveaway items will make your stand the most popular at the career fair.
15. Caps
Print your logo or tagline onto custom caps for corporate swag job seekers and students will actually wear.
Source: Branded cap via VistaPrint
16. T-shirts
Print your logo on T-shirts for another example of wearable swag that job fair attendees will love.
Source: Branded T-shirts via VistaPrint
Our guides to T-shirt design and how to print on T-shirts will help to create unforgettable giveaways for job fairs.
17. Hoodies
Give out high-quality custom hoodies in your brand colors with your logo printed on to promising candidates.
Source: Branded hoodie via VistaPrint
18. Calendars
Print custom calendars to give away at career fairs to showcase your brand personality and highlight important company events and milestones.
19. Can coolers
Can coolers for Friday afternoon team building can bring an element of fun to your brand.
Practical giveaway items
Making sure your job fair giveaway items are useful means that prospective employees are more likely to keep them and you’re more likely to hire quality candidates.
20. Mugs
Give away custom mugs with your logo printed on to help new hires conquer Monday mornings.
Source: Branded mug via VistaPrint
21. Gym towels
Hand out gym towels with motivational messages that communicate your brand values, helping recipients spread brand awareness while they work out.
22. Tote bags
High-quality branded tote bags can be used for everything from grocery shopping to the daily commute.
Source: Tote bag by green in blue via 99designs by Vista
Make your career fair swag stand out
How to add your branding to recruitment swag
Step 1: Use brand colors
Transform basic items into attention-grabbing swag with your signature branding colors. Think notepads, gym towels and hoodies that catch the eye from across the career fair. Stick to 2-3 core colors for maximum impact.
Step 2: Place your logo
Position your logo where it naturally draws attention—centered on flat items or wrapped elegantly around mugs and water bottles. Remember that subtle branding often makes a better impression than oversized logos.
Step 3: Use quality materials
Choose high-quality items with durable materials. Order samples or prototypes to ensure the products you choose reflect your brand’s standards—cheap pens that leak won’t win any new talent!
How to distribute job fair swag
- Start conversations: Design items that prompt discussions and help create meaningful connections.
- Personalized follow-up: Send tailored notes within 48 hours referencing specific discussion points. This will resonate more than a generic “Thanks!” You could even include a photo of their chosen giveaway to jog their memory.
- Measure impact: Document which giveaway items generate the most meaningful conversations, interviews and hires. Then calculate cost-per-quality-conversation to optimize future job fair budgets!
Ready to attract top talent at your next career fair?
Creating buzz at career fairs isn’t about having the most impressive giveaways—it’s about choosing items that tell your brand story and creating genuine connections that could lead to hiring your first employee or growing your team.
Career fair giveaways FAQs
What are the best giveaways for career fairs to attract the best talent?
Tech gadgets and accessories that make daily life easier and sustainable items that show you care about more than just profits. Think power banks that rescue dying phones during interviews or eco-friendly water bottles. The key is choosing items that spark conversations, create connections and keep promoting your business long after the job fair ends.
How can I choose job fair swag that aligns with my brand?
Start by asking yourself what makes your company different. Are you all about innovation? Then it makes sense to go tech-heavy with your promotional items. If your business is big on sustainability, stock up on eco-friendly job fair swag. The trick is picking items that align with your brand identity and values.
How effective are budget-friendly giveaways for job fairs?
Instead of blowing your budget on expensive items for everyone who visits your stand, use a tiered approach. Have promotional materials like stickers, postcards, flyers and eye-catching business cards for general distribution, keeping premium items for the more promising conversations. It’s about making every item count and deliver on its intended goal, whether that’s increasing brand recognition or hiring top talent.
What are some unique giveaway ideas that stand out?
Tech organizers like desk organizers or laptop stands that make hybrid work life easier or custom posters that show off your company culture can work as conversation starters. The best items communicate what it’s like to work for your business. Bonus points if they’re both practical and unexpected.
How much should I budget for job fair swag as a small business?
Budget $500-1500 for giveaways per career fair. Create a smart mix: a few premium items for those “When can you start?” conversations, mid-range goodies for engaged chats and clever but cost-effective items for general giveaways. Remember, it’s not just about what you spend, but how strategically you use each item.
