Exploring the Future of Work: Key Takeaways from Career Expo in the Czech Republic

The largest job opportunity festival in the Czech Republic attracted thousands of visitors to Prague’s O2 universum in mid-March. Two days packed with events allowed employers to meet face-to-face with people interested in starting a new career. What could you have explored at Career Expo? 

Exhibitor booths saw thousands of visitors over the two days. With double the space compared to last year and the event spread across three floors, there was plenty of room for everyone. Yet, small and large crowds still formed wherever a company managed to spark interest among attendees. 

There was plenty to see. Right at the entrance, the Alma Career beach set the festival mood, inviting visitors to dive into a sea of job opportunities on our various job portals. At Česká spořitelna, many tested their talents or used the “mindset calculator” to determine their true mental age. Notino attracted attendees with professional makeup sessions and the chance to take an upgraded resume photo. At Prusa Research, 3D printers were running at full capacity, creating various shapes and objects. The Orea Hotels & Resorts network welcomed guests into a hotel room, while Ikea went a step further—inviting visitors to a bed as part of their campaign “You don’t just have to dream about a good position.” 

Employers that allowed visitors a glimpse into their daily operations or even experience job tasks firsthand were also popular. Who wouldn’t want to land a plane in Aero Vodochody’s flight simulator or try recording for Czech Television or Czech Radio? With Veolia and PVK, visitors could take a virtual tour of water treatment plants and explore the depths of mysterious sewer tunnels with 3D glasses. Railway administration also embraced virtual reality, surprising attendees with the diversity of railway-related job opportunities beyond just train dispatching. 

At other booths, visitors could see what equipment a police car crew carries on duty or check out unusual weapons and “DIY” contraband confiscated by the Czech Prison Service. Fun activities weren’t left out either—Orlen Unipetrol hosted remote-controlled hydrogen car races, while Form Factory challenged visitors to hang from a horizontal bar. 

The overwhelming interest from visitors proved that in-person meetings remain invaluable. Many appreciated the chance to engage directly with potential employers and explore job opportunities firsthand. 

It’s always useful to see how others operate and exchange experiences. HR professionals had the chance to network in an exhibitor-only zone, where they could also sample “product” ice cream and browse Alma Career’s annual report. 

Employer branding is also strengthened by individuals. Over two days, numerous speakers took the stage, ensuring there was a topic for everyone. Here are some key takeaways for HR professionals—visit the Career Expo 2025 website for the full program and list of speakers. 

Tomáš Ervín Dombrovský from Alma Career presented a wealth of data, illustrating how the job market is evolving and what to expect in the coming months. He shared insights from company experiences: “Top management doesn’t like hearing about low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of autonomy... But if you run your company like a kindergarten, you can’t expect responsible employees,” he noted, emphasizing that responsibility and satisfaction come with increased autonomy. 

Jaroslava Rezlerová, CEO of ManpowerGroup and President of the Czech Association of HR Professionals, discussed key factors shaping today’s workforce. “A staggering 66% of companies report being unable to fill vacancies. The skills and competencies of job seekers don’t match employer expectations,” she warned, highlighting employment structures, demographic trends, and possible solutions. 

Kateřina Šťastná from Česká spořitelna explained how to build strong teams by combining diverse talents. Using a fable about an animal school, she illustrated why leveraging individual strengths is key. “A lion school principal who evaluates all students the same way—whether a rabbit, caterpillar, or eagle—won’t get great results... But when teams are built on diversity, performance improves dramatically.” According to Gallup research, diverse teams can boost sales by 19%, increase profits by 29%, and reduce turnover by 72%. 

Daniel Stach from Czech Television’s science desk introduced professions that transform the world through scientific discoveries. The host of the show Hyde Park Civilizace believes that conveying even complex information in a simple way is crucial—something that is certainly useful in HR. In practice, he follows the 'pub rule': 'Speak as if you were talking to friends. Naturally, without big words or complicated sentences,' he advises. He also shares a tip for interacting with people, which you can try out in your next job interview:

Jan Sedlařík from Česká spořitelna discussed how AI integration in the workplace can boost efficiency and streamline processes. “AI literacy and its implementation will soon be indispensable,” he predicted, encouraging companies to embrace modern tools. 

Nearly 50 industry leaders took the stage, with many more sharing insights at workshops and exhibitor booths. All this happened in just two action-packed days (which felt even longer for exhibitors, as they can confirm!). 

We’re already thinking about how to make the next Career Expo even better. Thank you for joining us—we can’t wait for the next one!