Buyers Guide: Job/Career Fairs

Extended Guide to Promotional Items for Career Fairs

If your company wants to make an impression at this year’s job fairs, then you need to look for branded swag that will catch people’s attention. But why are promo items so important for attracting applicants? 

With turnover rates at such a high level, recruiters face a lot of competition in finding the best candidates. Over 4 million employees leave their jobs each month in the United States, and voluntary turnover doubled between 2011 and 2021.

That means there are a lot of companies out there trying to fill open positions. You can stand out from the crowd by planning logo-branded giveaways for career fairs. When you choose swag that is high-quality and memorable, you get a leg-up on capturing the attention of top candidates.

Merchology is here to help! We specialize in adding corporate logos to products from top brands, and we have hundreds of options for gifts that applicants will love. Below, you’ll find our ultimate buyer’s guide for promotional items to order for job fairs. We’ll share our favorite tried-and-true swag ideas—gifts that are guaranteed to make your booth stand out.

Branded Giveaways for Career Fairs

Below is an extended list of our favorite categories for custom promotional items for job fairs as well as some of our top picks from each category!

Custom T-Shirts for Career Fairs

Logo-branded tees are an obvious option for a giveaway. Who doesn’t love a free T-shirt? And every time a job fair attendee wears your branded tee, they’ll remember the career opportunities you talked about. 

Bonus tip: Make sure any swag has your website address on it, so candidates can easily find your current job openings after the event is over.

Want to make sure that it’s YOUR custom printed T-shirt that people want to wear again and again? Choose one of these high-quality options:

Custom Zusa Men's Red Heather Peachy Tee

This buttery soft shirt is made from sustainably and ethically sourced Egyptian cotton! It’s available in several colors, all in an attractive heathered style. You can also choose the women’s cut.

We add your logo or custom artwork to the front, back, or sleeve. 

Corporate Marine Layer Men's White Signature Crew, 

Marine Layer is a slow fashion brand that prides itself on producing apparel that’s “so soft it’s absurd.” If you want your custom swag to truly impress candidates at career fairs, this t-shirt will do it. It’s made of a soft and sustainable recycled beechwood fabric. You can choose between men’s and women’s styles and 3 color options.

We print your logo on the front of this high-quality shirt.

Branded Hanes Women's White 4.5 oz.100% Ringspun Cotton nano-T V-Neck T-Shirt

This women’s branded v-neck will stand out from all of the unisex crew neck shirts at the other job fair booths. Available in over a dozen colors, you can offer a truly distinctive branded t-shirt, in a shade that looks great with your corporate logo.

We print your artwork on the front, back, or sleeve.

 

Branded Tote Bags

Every job fair participant needs a quality tote bag to carry all the brochures and swag they’ll pick up. Choose one of these sturdy and attractive options for your branded job fair swag. Then, participants will promote your company for you, as they carry the custom tote bag all around the event (and use it on errands long after the fair).

Custom Econscious Charcoal 6.8 oz Hemp Market Tote

Classy, large, and sturdy, this custom hemp tote is strong enough to carry groceries and has a convenient interior pocket. It’s available in several neutral color options, and we add your logo in high-quality embroidery.

 

Branded Port Authority Black Document Tote

This custom document tote is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something more lightweight and less bulky. It still offers plenty of strength with its tear-resistant polyester canvas, embroidered with your custom artwork.

 

Embroidered Liberty Bags Natural Susan Canvas Tote

The extra-long handles on this custom embroidered tote bag make it easy for job fair attendees to toss it over their shoulder as they navigate from booth to booth. It’s made of sturdy 100% cotton, embroidered with your logo.

Logo-Branded Dad Hats

Looking for branded swag for job fairs held during the summer or in sunny locales? Custom dad hats are an incredibly smart choice! But really, you can never go wrong with a good-looking cap as your giveaway.

Branded New Era 9TWENTY White Adjustable Unstructured Cap

This sleek unstructured custom dad hat will look great on anyone! It’s also extremely comfortable, featuring 100% cotton and an adjustable D-clip enclosure. We embroider your logo on the front of this cap, which is available in white, black, navy, graphite, and stone.

 

Corporate Zusa Navy Swift Athletic Cap

Is your company committed to sustainability? Then this logo-branded cap from Zusa is a great choice for your career fair giveaways. Each hat’s recycled polyester twill is made from the equivalent of two recycled plastic water bottles! Just add your logo with our high-quality embroidery.

Embroidered Richardson White/Charcoal/Black Mesh Back Tri-Color Garment Washed Trucker Hat

You can choose a different direction for your cap giveaway by going with a logo-embroidered trucker hat. They’re a particularly smart choice for job fairs in industries related to the outdoors or physical labor. They’re available in several fun color combos, so you can choose the look that best matches your logo.

Embroidered Beanies

Attending a job fair during the fall or winter? When you give away logo-branded beanies, attendees will flock to your booth! Here are a few of our favorite choices.

Custom Zusa Light Grey Hyland Knit Beanie

This recycled fleece beanie is cozy and warm. Like the custom Zusa athletic cap above, it’s made from 2 recycled water bottles. The adorable pom detail is removable, making this logo-embroidered hat a versatile giveaway item.

Branded Sportsman Navy Jersey Lined 12" Knit

This traditional custom knit beanie is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a simple and sleek option. It features a tough acrylic exterior and warm polyester jersey lining. We add your embroidered logo to this ribbed, cuffed knit hat.

 

 

Company Logo Leeman Black Cuffed Rib Knit Beanie

Leeman offers a luxe-looking option for a ribbed, cuffed custom beanie. The acrylic knit has a more sweater-like appearance, and the faux leather patch provides a finished look. We deboss your logo onto the faux leather patch.

 

 

Custom Printed Mugs

Your average caffeine addict can never have too many coffee mugs. A great-looking logo-branded mug can make job candidates feel like they’re already part of the team.

Custom Zusa Navy Daybreaker Mug 14 oz

Job fair participants will want to grab one of these insulated custom travel mugs right away! It will keep their coffee hot for up to 6 hours while they enjoy the event. We laser engrave your logo on this stainless steel and recycled plastic mug.

Logo-Printed Leed's Black RockHill Ceramic Mug 17oz

Give job candidates their new favorite custom mug with this classy and attractive ceramic option. It has a generous 17 oz. capacity, and you can choose between screen printing and laser engraving for your logo decoration.

 

 

Branded ETS Black Bistro Ceramic Mug 15 oz

Go for a classic look with this 15 oz. branded mug that looks like it came straight from your favorite diner. It’s an excellent choice if you need a nice-looking mug at a budget price. We screen print your logo on the mug, which is available in multiple fun colors.

Branded Water Bottles

Help busy job candidates stay hydrated on the career fair floor! Reusable custom water bottles are particularly clever promotional items for job fairs. Candidates will stop by your booth to get one because they need one during the event. But when you give high-quality bottles, they’ll continue carrying the bottle with them long after the fair.

That means they’ll remember your company, and they’ll advertise your brand wherever they go.

Corporate Zusa White Sidekick Water Bottle 20 oz

This custom 20 oz bottle is not just a looker. It also keeps drinks cold for up to 20 hours (or hot for 10)! Double down on the sleek look by choosing laser engraving for your logo decoration (printing is also available).

 

Custom Thermos Clear Hydration Bottle 24 oz.

Thermos is a trusted brand in drinkware, and this custom bottle has an extra fun feature: the built-in rotating meter lets you monitor your daily water intake! Several colors are available, and we print your logo on the front center of the bottle

 

Branded Leed's Grey Thor Copper Vacuum Insulated Bottle 17oz

If you want to focus on maximum insulation, this custom stainless steel bottle keeps drinks cold for 48 hours or hot for 12. You can choose between print and laser engraving for your logo, and the bottle is available in metallic grays, plus several bold colors. 

 

 

Company Logo Notebooks

Notebooks are handy items for any job searcher. They’re absolutely vital for writing down questions and taking notes during interviews. So while custom notebooks are always popular logo-branded giveaways, they’re particularly perfect for career fairs.

Debossed JournalBook Blue Firenze Soft Bound Notebook

Who doesn’t love a luxurious custom softcover notebook? This option has all the hallmarks of your next favorite notebook, with Italian UltraHyde binding, matching pen, elastic band and pen loop, and a ribbon page marker. Your logo will look elegant debossed or printed on the front.

Custom Denik White Pocket Skinny Notebook - 3.5" x 5.5"

Want a fully customized notebook to really catch the eye? This slim option includes a full-color print design on the front, back, and inside covers. You can add more than just a logo to this notebook; you design the entire look. It features 48 pages of recycled paper and a water-resistant laminated cover.

 

Branded Brimeline Natural Recycled Magnetic Journalbook

Spiral notebooks are great giveaways for events because they’re so easy to fold and carry. This recycled branded notebook option has a lot of special features:

• A magnetic snap closure
• Pen and pen loop
• 5 assorted sticky flags
• 2x3” sticky pad
• 4x4” sticky pad

We add your logo to the front in a 1-color print.

Company Logo Toiletry Bags

Do you work in an industry that requires a lot of travel? If so, logo-branded toiletry bags are smart giveaways for career fairs. By giving swag that’s useful to potential employees, you’ll attract more attention to your booth.

Custom RuMe Baggie All

This custom toiletry bag offers a high level of organization for a budget price. It features 3 zippered pockets and is water-resistant and machine-washable. It’s available in multiple colors, and you can customize it with your logo in a large 1-color screen print.

 

Branded Gemline Navy Heather Mobile Office Hybrid Toiletry Bag

This classy and sleek custom toiletry bag will look great even with high-end luggage sets. It has a main zippered compartment, a zippered front pocket, interior pockets, and a hanging clip. We print your logo on the front of this attractive navy bag.

Company Logo Gemline Black Renew rPET Toiletry Bag

If you want to offer maximum storage, this custom bag is a great option. It includes a large main compartment, lots of pockets for your travel essentials, and a top handle for easy carrying. We print your logo on the lower front.

Custom Portable Chargers

Logo Branded device chargers are in high demand at any all-day event! That makes them great job fair swag for any industry. And because people will use chargers again and again, they’ll see your logo regularly. 

Corporate Leed's Black Quake Wireless Charging Pad

This custom wireless charging pad is both convenient and attractive. Your booth will catch attention when you’re giving out these impressive-looking chargers, customized with your printed logo.

 

 

Branded SCX Design Red Eco Quatro Light Cable

Offer maximum portability with this branded keychain power bank. Its tiny size and keyring attachment make it easy to take anywhere. We screen-print your logo onto the charger.

Custom Origaudio PowR Stand 2.0 Wireless Charging Pad

This adjustable custom charging pad lets you charge your device while it is lying flat or is propped up vertically. That means you have the option to continue taking video calls while you charge. You can add full-color artwork to make your giveaway stand out.

Contact Us Today!

With any of this branded swag, your booth will be a hit at your next job fair! But the options don’t stop here. Our Merchologists can help you find the perfect promotional items for your company. So contact us with your questions, and we’ll help you get started!