Aaron Bare CEO, CareerTours
What is the most innovative recruiting practice that you have experienced as a career seeker or a hiring professional?

Peter Jirak
Senior Software Engineer at Holmes Corporation

I really like Robert Fornal's answer. Robert is correct; a recruiter will be able to place you best if he or she knows your skills well.  

However, I have a different experience, although I like Robert's answer the best. In June of 2006, I attended a Perl conference in Chicago. Most of the attendees and presenters were male. One of the recruiters took his business cards and placed stacks on them on top of each and every urinal in the men's rooms at the conference and he replaced the cards when they were gone.  

I know that this sounds gimmicky and funny, but it really worked! Nearly every participant took a card, nearly every participant talked to the recruiter, and nearly every participant remembered even months later.  Regardless of whether you get a job or not, when you attend a professional event, there are a lot of recruiters and a lot of companies being represented by those people, so I would say it is important to do something to stand out and be noticed.  

Swag -- personalized pens, imprinted t-shirts, etc. really isn't that important, although having promo pens, sticky notes, etc. are helpful because it helps the prospective candidate remember your company after the event.  

Certainly, Robert is correct, it is important that the recruiter remembers what his or her goal is. You are hoping not only to find potential candidates, but to find potential candidates who will be happy in the job you are trying to place them in, so that they will remain in the new job for an extended period of time.  

I personally prefer recruiters who are handling a lot of jobs at once, because it means that if there are specific things I am looking for, or specific things I do not want, then because the recruiter is trying to place people in a lot of positions, it is likely that he or she will be interested in what I am looking for, take the time to find that out, and possibly place me in a job that I will really enjoy.  

Clarification added:
BTW, I know this will sound funny, and it is a bit embarrassing to admit to, while swag generally isn't important, I am often attracted to booths that have interesting toys as a part of their swag. Embarrassing, but true and I can't be alone. I guess it is the Homer Simpson in me, "Ooooh, Shiny."  

Promotional Items from LogoSurfing.com