Fair being held to help employment

To help students get connected with employers, the Workforce Center is sponsoring the Job Fair next Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

With the economy weak and California's unemployment rate reaching around 12.2 percent, this event is aiming to help students who are looking for employment by giving them a chance to talk with employers, said Chrystal VanBeynen, WFC coordinator.

"Networking is one of the most important skills that you will use throughout your lifetime and the earlier students develop those skills the more successful they will be in life," VanBeynen said. "Also, employers use job fairs to talk to potential employees."

Not only will students get a chance to talk to companies, but they will learn how to find out what kind of job opportunities are available, what set skills employers are looking for, and a chance to network.

"Rather than receiving a resume through the mail, [students] get an option to link the resume with a personal interaction and there is nothing better than making a good impression as you hand your resume to employers," VanBeynen said.

The WFC holds a Resume Day and a Job Fair each semester of the school year.

The Resume Day is designed to prepare and encourage students to come with an updated resume to submit to the Job Fair resume drawing and show to employers.

Students may receive critiques from human resource representatives and provide advice on how to improve the look and content of a resume to better reflect and emphasize their experiences.

"It is a great experience to receive pointed and valuable advice, since these same employers are culling through resumes each and every day, and know what appeals to them," VanBeynen said.

With these resumes, students may also enter a drawing at the WFC booth, getting a chance to win some prizes such as gift cards from BJ's Pizza, Target, Starbucks and other items donated by WFC's employers.

"WFC has over 4,200 employers in our database who have posted over 6,500 job opportunities in the last 4 years," VanBeynen said. "In the past, the WFC has had as many as 90 employers attend the job fairs."

Some companies that are participating in next week's event include; Monster Energy, Avon, Boys and Girls Club, Rainforest Café, and Wells Fargo.

"Employers are always eager to come back on campus," VanBeynen said. "They enjoy talking to our students and the only complaint they report is that they are sometimes not dressed properly for a job and that some are shy about asking questions, which are networking skills."

With only a week to finish preparing, VanBeynen said she is very much looking forward to this event.

"My expectation is always high that students will connect and find employment," VanBeynen said.