Last Wednesday, the terraces of Boulevard Georges-Leygues took on a professional air, in particular those of Petit Paris, Le Tortoni and Le Glacier. It was an unusual sight, where café conversations revolved around career opportunities rather than the usual small talk. In June 2023, for the first edition of this Apéro Job, around a hundred participants showed up for this very special meeting, marking the start of a promising initiative.
This event is supported by the Local Mission of Pays Villeneuvois, which has succeeded in developing with the Apéro Job a concept that is both simple and clear: open to all, without requiring a CV, it allows researchers to be brought together around a table employment and business managers. The goal ? Meet and exchange in an informal and relaxed manner, far from the pressures of a traditional interview. So, no more very formal meetings: this method breaks conventions and moves away from traditional interviews, offering a more relaxed setting than the norm. During such a meeting, we mainly talk about interpersonal skills rather than know-how. Participants, whether employers or job seekers, take advantage of this atmosphere to make contacts and exchange freely. Although these interactions can sometimes take the form of small talk, they primarily focus on building relationships and creating a professional network.
A success multiplied by two
If Apéro Job were a company, we could say that it doubled its numbers in 2024. In fact, this year, more than 200 job seekers of all ages came to meet the 25 companies that decided to try this atypical recruitment approach. The terraces were filled again, but this time with even more energy and dynamism. Around thirty positions were to be filled, in sectors as varied as construction, health, catering, banking, social services, and many others.
Feedback from companies has been very positive, with many having already set up several appointments for potential hires. This shows how effective and beneficial this formula can be for all parties involved. The end of the day took place under radiant sunshine, around a drink, on the terrace of the bars. The latter, also very satisfied with their collaboration for this event, have already responded favorably to participation in the 3rd edition of Apéro Job in 2025.
Started at 6 p.m., the evening ended at around 8 p.m. with a little surprise: a concert by young talents from Villeneuvois and Fumélois. Apéro Job has proven that it can be a viable and effective alternative to traditional recruitment methods. By removing formal barriers and creating a space where interactions are natural and spontaneous, this event encourages authentic encounters and makes it easier to break the ice. Participants, whether they are looking for a job or representing a company, leave with an enriching experience and valuable contacts. With such encouraging results, the future of Apéro Job looks promising and suggests even more success for future editions.
