The "Job Speed Dating" event, organised by fuel and Jiu Jik to match job-seekers with recruiters, ended on a successful note.

Six established firms took part on Wednesday, offering positions in sales and marketing. They were: Centaline, Esprit, Fuji Xerox, Microware, PCCW and the South China Morning Post. Recruitment agency Gemini was present as the career adviser.

Candidates and recruiters mixed in a relaxed environment, with the former inquiring about available positions, company culture and recruitment procedures. Recruiters took the chance to find out about the candidates.

Feedback from participants was positive and encouraging. Janet Ho, assistant manager of recruitment and employee relations at Fuji Xerox, says she was impressed by the quality of candidates.

"It's great to be able to meet so many candidates of high quality within such a short period of time," Ho says. "The concept of `job speed dating' is very innovative. I'm also happy to [have] met other human resources professionals."

Teddy Tong, director of systems integration group at Microware, says many candidates took the initiative to approach him and his colleagues. He says the event was an effective channel for companies to find the right candidates.

"I'm able to find out whether the candidates are the right match for us before asking them to come to a formal interview," he says.

Bonnie Lai, human resources manager at Centaline, says most job-seekers that she came across were "sincere and well-prepared".

Calvin Tsui, the SCMP's assistant director for human resources, says the event provided a great networking opportunity for job hunters and employers.

Carrie Fong, human resources manager for Hong Kong and Macau retail at Esprit, found the concept and format "novel and refreshing". "It provides a casual environment for job-seekers and recruiters to get to know one another," she says.

Job candidate Eugenio Maltese says the "Job Speed Dating" event offered him an invaluable opportunity to meet recruiters face-to-face.

"In an interview, a formal type of discourse is required, whereas [at this event] recruiters get to know the informal side of [a job-seeker]," he says. "This could be the new way of conducting interviews in the future."

Stanley Suen, SCMP's director of Recruitment Services, says: "Sometimes resumes don't tell [you] everything. The event offers an opportunity for job-seekers to present their best to recruiters."