The Rise of QR Code

Chances are you have seen one of those odd, square-shaped, black-and-white designs on a billboard or in a magazine, and thought to yourself, “What is that thing?” These designs are called QR (quick response) codes, and function much like a traditional barcode. QR codes are used for myriad purposes: to direct people to a URL, to display text, to show a Google Maps location, or even to join a Wi-Fi network. They are extremely simple to use – all one needs is a camera-equipped smartphone with an application for reading QR codes. This function is available out of the box on Android phones, and free QR code-reading applications are available for all major mobile platforms. The codes are also easy to generate – you can get them instantly (and for free!) at sites such as QRStuff, Delivr, and Kaywa.

QR code can be used in a wide variety of ways – on business cards, on resumes, in store windows, on posters, in print and mail advertisements, etc. Businesses can use the codes to offer customers special incentives or discounts. Customers like them because they are fun and interactive. Another benefit of this digital technology is the ability for businesses to monitor their ROI in real time. QR code has even begun to show up on resumes, with job applicants trying to stand out from the crowd by including instant access to their online portfolio or self-promoting video.

One of the most exciting aspects of QR code is its immediacy. While a URL linking to a personal blog or video could be included on a business card, the receiver of the card will likely wait until he or she is in front of a computer before they check it out. Even if he or she does own an Internet-capable smartphone, manually typing URLs on these devices can be tedious. With all the pressures of daily life, there is also a significant possibility of the receiver forgetting about to view the content completely. With a QR code, customers will be able to watch a video or view a website immediately on their smartphone, with no hassle.

QR code is still an emerging technology, and has not completely caught on in the United States. A large portion of the population is not yet aware of this new marketing mechanism, and among those that are aware, many do not possess the technology needed to make use of them. However, as smartphones become even more ubiquitous in the coming years, and as marketers invent new and exciting ways to utilize this technology, expect the use of QR code to increase in kind. We believe that it will prove an excellent way to foster customer interaction, create buzz around interesting products and services, and bolster sales.

University Career Fairs - Amazing Networking Opportunities or Time Wasters?

Back in October 2010, I attended a career fair at Brandeis University in Waltham, where I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate. Each semester, Brandeis’s Hiatt Career Center hosts an on-campus career fair in which approximately fifty companies participate. There is no denying the fact that these events are an excellent way for students to explore career opportunities and to have their resumes seen by dozens of potential employers. However, I sometimes question if the fairs are implemented in the most effective manner possible. At Brandeis’s fair, there were simply too many students packed into too small of a space. The room was extremely crowded, long lines formed in front of the booths of many employers, and recruiters were not able to have meaningful conversations with students. In most cases, students simply introduced themselves, handed a resume to the recruiter, and moved on. Not the most satisfying of interactions.

I recently had the chance to attend another career event, the Career and Internship Connection (CIC) fair, which was held at the John Hancock Convention Center in Boston. I found this fair to be far superior to Brandeis’s for a few reasons. First, it was only open to students who registered a month in advance, and the number of attendees was capped at a number that would prevent overcrowding and massive waiting lines. Additionally, students were able to apply for information interviews with specific companies through the CIC website. I was lucky enough to secure an interview with one of the firms I was most interested in, and I had a great conversation with their recruiter about my career goals and positions that seemed like a good fit. Overall, I found the CIC fair to be a much more pleasant and informative experience than the Brandeis fair.

In order to be most advantageous to all parties involved, attendance at university career fairs should be limited to a finite number of students, depending, of course, on the size of the venue and the number of employers participating. Additionally, more time should be set aside for one-on-one conversations between students and employers. Otherwise, both students and recruiters are likely to leave the event feeling like no genuine connections were made, and that their time was not well spent.