Get ready for the Hiring Fair!

Explore job opportunities at the upcoming Hiring Fair, hosted by the Career Centre on Friday, March 8th, from 12pm to 4pm at the Jensen Centre (BGC Parksville Child and Family Centre), 132 Jensen Avenue East, Parksville. Last year over 50 employers were present, providing a unique opportunity for job seekers to engage directly with businesses actively looking to hire. Stay tuned and keep checking back for additions to the list of employers attending in 2024!

To maximize your success at the job fair and in your job search overall, consider the following steps:

Step 1: Participate in a How to Prepare for a Hiring Fair workshop. Acquire networking strategies to ensure success during face-to-face interactions with employers. Gain insights into necessary preparations before, during, and after the Hiring Fair.

Step 2: Dress professionally for success, akin to attending a job interview. If you require interview attire, schedule an appointment with an employment consultant at the Career Centre for assistance.

Step 3: Research the list of registered employers beforehand. Get a competitive edge by researching businesses of interest, understanding their work culture and values. Prepare a set of questions to engage employers during the Hiring Fair.

Step 4: Bring multiple copies of your resume. Organize a folder with a list of target employers, several copies of your resume, cover letters (specifically addressed to certain employers), and letters of reference if available. Be ready to distribute extra resumes to employers not initially on your list. If you need assistance creating or updating your resumes, be sure to attend the Career Centre’s Resumes and Cover Letters Workshop prior to the Hiring Fair.

Step 5: Prepare for impromptu interviews. Craft a one-minute “presentation statement” highlighting your qualifications to effectively market yourself to potential employers. Attend workshops such as Branding “YOU” and Acing the Interview for additional insights.

Step 6: Network actively. Practice a polished greeting with eye contact to make a positive first impression. The Hiring Fair provides a valuable opportunity to connect with employers and fellow job seekers who can contribute to advancing your career.

Step 7: Collect contact information. Record the names and contact details of individuals and companies of interest or ask for business cards to facilitate follow-up.

Step 8: Send thank-you notes. Stay ahead of the competition by sending thank-you notes or emails to your preferred employers the following day. Ensure professionalism in your communication, avoiding jargon, abbreviations, or spelling mistakes.

The Career Centre’s Hiring Fair is a complimentary event for job seekers to engage with local employers. For details on upcoming workshops or to register, please call 250.248.3205.

We eagerly anticipate your presence on March 8th at the Hiring Fair from 12pm to 4pm!

NOW’S THE TIME TO PREPARE FOR OUR 2023 HIRING FAIR!

If you are looking for work, plan to attend the WorkBC Hiring Fair hosted by the Career Centre on Thursday March 16th from 12pm-4pm at Ecole Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville. With upwards of 50 employers on-site, this is a unique opportunity and a terrific way for job seekers to connect face-to-face with businesses who are looking to hire!

Here are some tips and suggestions on how to start planning for the job fair and your job search in general – we want you to be successful!

Step 1: Attend a “How to Prepare for a Hiring Fair” workshop

Learn networking strategies to ensure your success when you meet face-to-face with employers. Understand what you need to prepare before, during and after the Hiring Fair. Watch for these workshops coming up in early March.

Step 2: Dress for Success

This is no different than attending a job interview at an employer’s place of business, so you need to dress neatly and appropriately. If you need interview attire, set up an appointment to see an employment consultant here at the Career Centre – we can help.

Step 3: Research Registered Employers

You can get a step ahead of the competition by checking the list of businesses participating in the fair and researching your favourites! You can learn a lot about a company by looking online, including a glimpse of their work culture and values. After completing your research, prepare a list of questions to ask employers when you are at the Hiring Fair.

Step 4: Bring Several Copies of Your Resume

Take a folder with you containing a list of the employers you want to meet, as well as several copies of your resume, cover letters (addressed to specific employers) and letters of reference (if you have them). Be prepared to hand out additional resumes to employers not on your list. If you need assistance with creating/updating your resume, be sure to attend our Resumes and Cover Letters workshop prior to the Hiring Fair (workshops run February 6 and 22).

Step 5: Be Prepared for an Impromptu Interview

You may have two to five minutes to market yourself to a potential employer and gather information, so make the most of your time. Prior to attending, develop a one-minute “presentation statement” to highlight your qualifications. For more information on marketing yourself, consider attending our Branding “YOU”  workshop (February 7 and 21) and/or Acing the Interview (February 7 and 27).

Step 6: Network! Network! Network!

Practice the perfect greeting including eye contact, as this will make a good first impression. A Hiring Fair is a great opportunity to connect with employers and other job seekers that can support moving your career forward. Push yourself to connect with as many people as you can at the Hiring Fair.

Step 7: Collect Contact Information

Write down the name of the person and company you are interested in and their contact information, or make sure to ask for a business card from them. This will support you with Step 8.

Step 8: Send a Thank-you Note

Stay ahead of your competition by sending a thank-you note or email to your employers of choice the next day. If you do this via email, make sure it is in proper business language; no jargon, abbreviations or spelling mistakes.

The Career Centre’s Hiring Fair is a free event for job seekers to connect with local employers. For information on upcoming workshops or to register, call 250.248.3205.

We look forward to seeing you on March 16^th at Ecole Ballenas Secondary School from 12-4pm!