Managers and directors were given eight minutes to chat with each potential job-seeker at the event in Bryon Hoxton, before swapping tables to meet more candidates.
“In my head, it seemed like a crazy idea,” Holly Jones, Byron’s recruitment manager, who organised the event, told HR magazine. “This is the second one we’ve had, and there is such a buzz around it. It takes a lot of work, but it’s amazing.”
One of the main aims of the night is to target passive jobseekers. These are people who are not currently looking for a job, but might be open to an offer if it was tempting enough. Byron contacted suitable candidates on LinkedIn to gauge their interest.
After the ‘dating’, the candidates were presented with a free burger to allow them to sample the company’s signature product, a Scottish beef burger served with a gherkin and a craft beer.
Candidates were also encouraged to look at books filled with pictures of company trips. Recent events have included visits to New York and San Francisco for those who met their work targets, and camping trips for those who did not.
Byron people director Mike Williams said that while the trips allow the company to conduct market research, they are also a contributor to developing a strong company culture.
“Face time and socialising develop strong relationships and contribute to the development of high-performing teams, which is something I have been really impressed with,” he said. “The books and all the stories associated with them have really helped develop and strengthen the Byron culture.”
