Job Dating Like Never Before: Employers and Job Seekers Team Up for Sporting Events

Pamiers Hosts Unique Job Dating Event with a Sporting Twist

On Friday, June 23, the Pôle Emploi agency in Pamiers organized a job dating event like no other. In a first for Ariège, job seekers and employers came together for a day of sporting events, providing a unique opportunity to discover each other without the formalities of a professional interview and CV.

The Balussou stadium, more accustomed to sports competitions, was transformed into a venue for meetings and exchanges between job seekers and employers. While job dating has become an important asset for recruiters, this atypical event marked a first for Ariège. The event was organized by the Pôle Emploi de Pamiers center in partnership with the city, the French Athletics Federation, the Occitanie Athletics League, and the Pamiers Basse Arièges Athletic Stadium. This innovative approach to recruitment allowed companies to focus on the candidates’ know-how, which was highlighted through collective sports activities.

Throughout the morning, around sixty job seekers teamed up with thirteen recruiters from various sectors, including industry, construction, personal services, hotels, and restaurants. The event aimed to provide a different perspective on recruitment, allowing both recruiters and job seekers to discover each other through sport before approaching formal interviews.

The initiative, known as “From Stadium to Employment,” was first initiated in 2019 in the Hauts-de-France region by Pôle emploi and the Athletics League. Since 2020, it has been deployed at a national level. In 2022, nearly 600 companies expressed interest in the initiative, and 3,300 job seekers were prepared and supported through the program. Impressively, 65% of participating job seekers eventually received a job offer. The format has gained popularity, and this year, Pôle Emploi is organizing 300 similar events across France, with the Pamiers event being the first in Ariège.

The event emphasized the importance of anonymity, with employers and job seekers dressed in shorts, sneakers, and caps, making it impossible to distinguish between the two groups. This added an element of intrigue to the event, as participants were gathered into eight mixed teams and competed in quizzes, endurance challenges, throwing events, and sprints. The team spirit was evident, with participants supporting each other and almost forgetting the primary purpose of the event. The activities were designed to highlight professional qualities, as well as human and relational qualities such as teamwork, listening skills, mobilization, rigor, and anticipation.

The afternoon was dedicated to job dating, organized by Pôle emploi. By fostering a close relationship through sports practice, recruiters from various companies, including AEC, Bistro régent, Yes intérim, La buanderie, Randstad, Promaid, Le Rital, Vandemoortele, Macdo, Absis, 1er RCP, Manpower, and Recaero, were able to approach the interviews with a better understanding of the candidates’ skills observed throughout the day.

The event was a resounding success, with all participants expressing enthusiasm and suggesting the possibility of future editions. This unique approach to job dating provided a refreshing and engaging experience for both job seekers and employers, paving the way for potential new ways of connecting talent with opportunities in the future.

How did the job dating event in Pamiers promote agility, teamwork, and adaptability among job seekers?

Gue of the region. The success of the event led to its expansion to other regions, including Pamiers. The goal of the initiative is to create a more dynamic and interactive approach to recruitment, promoting agility, teamwork, and adaptability, all of which are highly valued skills in today’s job market.

During the event, job seekers and recruiters participated in various sporting activities, such as relay races, obstacle courses, and team building exercises. These activities allowed both parties to observe each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and problem-solving skills in action.

In addition to the sporting activities, job seekers had the opportunity to meet with recruiters for informal discussions and networking. This informal setting provided a more relaxed atmosphere where both parties could engage in conversation and get to know each other on a more personal level.

For job seekers, this unique event provided an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities outside the confines of a traditional interview. It allowed them to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership, and communication skills in a more dynamic and active setting.

For recruiters, the event provided a fresh and innovative approach to recruitment. It allowed them to observe the qualities and abilities of potential candidates in real-time, rather than solely relying on resumes and formal interviews. It also provided a chance for recruiters to assess how candidates would fit into their company culture and work environment.

Overall, the job dating event with a sporting twist in Pamiers was a success, with positive feedback from both job seekers and recruiters. It provided a unique and memorable experience for all participants, offering a fresh perspective on recruitment and job-seeking. This innovative approach to job dating shows that exploring new avenues and thinking outside the box can lead to great results in the realm of employment.