The Careers Forum 2025, a key recruitment event at emlyon business school, took place over four days, from January 13 to 15, 2025, on the Lyon campus, followed by an online day on January 16. With over 160 companies participating, this year's event, focusing on corporate social responsibility, sector diversity, and employability, once again proved its essential role in connecting students with recruiters.

Learn more about Careers Forum: https://em-lyon.com/en/companies/employability/key-recruitment-events

An eco-responsible forum

The event was digitalized with JobTeaser's TalentConnect QR code solution, allowing candidates to send digital CVs to recruiters. Moreover, through long-term collaboration with their event partner, Whats'on Agency, single-use materials were completely eliminated: stands were reusable, and disposable carpets were removed. Participants also had access to water fountains and eco-cups, available for breaks and lunches.

Circular recruitment: a key feature of the forum

Circular recruitment was introduced at this year's event, showcasing emlyon's commitment to providing an innovative and enriching experience for both students and recruiters. The goal of this new approach is simple: how better support and highlight candidates who have reached the final stages of recruitment but weren't selected?

With recruitment becoming more challenging for businesses and the process becoming increasingly complex for candidates, circular recruitment offers an effective solution. It allows companies to recommend non-hired candidates to other recruiters via a dedicated platform: Huggy. This gives candidates a second chance, accelerating their job search and maximizing opportunities. For companies, it's a way to showcase talent while strengthening their social commitment. This system encourages collaboration between recruiters, reduces talent waste, and supports more inclusive and efficient recruitment.

Sector diversity and global reach

This year, the event's international dimension was expanded with the active participation of global companies offering internships, apprenticeships, VIE (international volunteer corporate programs), and international positions, as well as students from diverse backgrounds, including those from the Grande École program (Master in Management) and the Masters of Science. Several companies highlighted positions for non-French-speaking candidates, making it easier for international students to find suitable opportunities through a sign indicating “International Recruiter” at their stands.

“We're looking for profiles for VIE programs. We offer VIE opportunities in countries where we have major projects, such as in the U.S., California. Vicat operates in twelve countries, and we offer VIEs in the U.S., Brazil, Switzerland, Senegal, Mauritania, Turkey, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and India,” explains Christophe Berenger, Deputy CEO in charge of HR at Vicat.

Alongside the international aspect, the Careers Forum 2025 also spotlighted an essential sector: retail. Major companies such as Intermarché, Prosol, Carrefour, Lidl, and Les Mousquetaires attended the forum to meet candidates interested in this dynamic and constantly evolving sector. Participants also had the chance to meet recruiters from sectors like food, energy, pharmaceuticals, industry, luxury, and cosmetics. Companies such as Vicat, Lindt, LVMH, Amazon, Dassault Systems 3DS, Procter & Gamble, Canal+, and energy corporations like Engie were also part of the event.

Wednesday, January 15, was dedicated to the audit and consulting sectors, with renowned firms such as PwC, Forvis, Mazars, Wavestone, Sia Partners, Bain & Company, EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, alongside about forty other companies from these fields.

Throughout the forum, companies received valuable support from student ambassadors. The ambassadors were responsible for welcoming, guiding, and assisting representatives, while providing key information about emlyon and its programs. They also ensured the event ran smoothly and helped facilitate interactions between recruiters and students.

Career Support

The Career Support team played a central role before and during the Careers Forum. They organized several individual coaching sessions to prepare students for this key event. Speed coaching sessions (CV and pitching) were offered to help students present themselves effectively to the attending companies.

The team also welcomed partners such as APEC and Business France to address students' questions. In total, around ten coaches were mobilized each day to support participants' success.

Learn more about Career Support: https://em-lyon.com/en/about-emlyon-business-school/the-career-center/career-support

The essential role of alumni in recruitment

Alumni also play an important role in recruiting emlyon students. Their interactions tend to be more informal than those with recruiters, allowing students to better understand different careers and recruitment processes while having more open and transparent conversations. These exchanges help students visualize their professional futures. Alumni involvement in emlyon's recruitment events is a great way to support students' integration into the workforce and guide them in their career choices. Many alumni also mention the positive impact of the alumni network on their own careers.

"The alumni network is a huge help in professional integration. A few years ago, I was hired by an emlyon alumnus at the Careers Forum for my final-year internship. I then spent ten years with that company. As they say, great stories can begin with an exchange between two alumni. The emlyon network is a true asset. During recruitment processes, it's invaluable to be able to connect with alumni: it provides ‘off-the-record' discussions, with real insight and transparency. There's a genuine spirit of solidarity,” says Lucy Bonnetier, Brand Director at Nestlé.

A successful and sustainable event

In summary, the 2025 Careers Forum was a great success. The first edition at emlyon's new campus in Lyon brought together more than 160 companies and 1,600 students – a significant increase compared to 2024! The event reinforced its essential role in connecting students with businesses, while staying true to its commitment to responsible and sustainable management. Internationalization, inclusivity, and innovation were major drivers of this edition.

We would like to warmly thank all the recruiters and students who participated, and we look forward to seeing you next year for another edition of the Careers Forum in Lyon.

Interested in this type of event?

Looking for talent for your company? emlyon business school's Career Center organizes various meeting formats: in-person or online recruitment events, themed meet-ups, and more.

Learn More: https://request.em-lyon.com/Career_Events_EN

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