NYC job fair a hit!
There is no doubt that New York City is one of the largest melting pots for global cultures, and our New York City job fair serves as a window to view a sample of this diverse population. Over 900 multicultural candidates attended our job fair last week, eager to meet with more than 40 exhibiting companies and organizations that were anxiously waiting for the bilingual talent to appear bright and early.
Based on previous events, we were expecting a large number of attendees and we knew we had a long day ahead of us. Nonetheless, NYC is always an exciting event, and a city we look forward to returning every time. The high level of candidate experience and education that we encounter in NYC along with the huge volume of attendees is always something we look forward to, and so do the participating employers.
The busiest booths were Home Depot, Corning Inc, and Unilever, although all of them had a very good candidate flow. Candidates constantly asked me for the location of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and Bridgestone Firestone on the floor plan, and as in previous locations, candidates had a great experience with Boy Scouts of America.
For the first time since we began organizing job fairs in 2006 we decided to repeat a location in the same year, and New York City was our pilot for such an endeavor. As usual, these events are organized for you, and we work hard to bring employers and candidates together in one location. I had the opportunity of meeting a job seeker that was experiencing her first job fair, and I’m very satisfied that it was at one of our shows. I have been to many job fairs throughout the country, organized by major online job boards or local organizations, trying to compare our fairs to theirs and attempting to grasp where we could improve. As much as I can study other shows, it’s all about the job seeker for us; and you are our best source for improvement, so we highly appreciate any feedback provided.
On another note, NYC was a great opportunity to finally meet in person many of the wonderful individuals who are helping our new networking site grow! With almost 800 members already, we are growing at a great pace, and this is all because of you, so pat yourselves on the back, and continue networking!
Based on previous events, we were expecting a large number of attendees and we knew we had a long day ahead of us. Nonetheless, NYC is always an exciting event, and a city we look forward to returning every time. The high level of candidate experience and education that we encounter in NYC along with the huge volume of attendees is always something we look forward to, and so do the participating employers.
The busiest booths were Home Depot, Corning Inc, and Unilever, although all of them had a very good candidate flow. Candidates constantly asked me for the location of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and Bridgestone Firestone on the floor plan, and as in previous locations, candidates had a great experience with Boy Scouts of America.
For the first time since we began organizing job fairs in 2006 we decided to repeat a location in the same year, and New York City was our pilot for such an endeavor. As usual, these events are organized for you, and we work hard to bring employers and candidates together in one location. I had the opportunity of meeting a job seeker that was experiencing her first job fair, and I’m very satisfied that it was at one of our shows. I have been to many job fairs throughout the country, organized by major online job boards or local organizations, trying to compare our fairs to theirs and attempting to grasp where we could improve. As much as I can study other shows, it’s all about the job seeker for us; and you are our best source for improvement, so we highly appreciate any feedback provided.
On another note, NYC was a great opportunity to finally meet in person many of the wonderful individuals who are helping our new networking site grow! With almost 800 members already, we are growing at a great pace, and this is all because of you, so pat yourselves on the back, and continue networking!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jacqueline Zarate Chediak on -
I'm glad my first job fair experience was in my hometown and with my fellow latinos. Having a long professional experience with a multinational Fortune 100 company made it a little difficult to understand the process and environment of a "job fair." I was apprehensive on what would happen or how would I handle the situation. Unfortunately, one gets comfortable to the surroundings and forgets there is a world full of opportunities, challenges and new endeavors waiting on the other side of the fence. This job fair is one of the many options I found beyond my fence. It gave the chance to network with many of you, to meet some of the organizers, and to keep in mind you should always market yourself - even if you have the greatest job that makes you feel unique.
I want to thank Ricardo Villalba for his efforts and dedication in organizing the event. I believe many of us benefited from meeting some of the potential employers, and applaud his team for working diligently in providing us with some other alternatives during this difficult economic times.
I'd like to share few points with all, which are in addition to the ones we received from Ricardo's group:
1. Prepare yourself mentally, physically and emotionally. This is not a difficult task but some of us overlook at the obvious: select your wardrobe the night before - nothing fancy but sober, get a good night sleep, have a nice breakfast, believe in yourself... kind of Michael Phelps. Being sharp and in control allows you to succeed on a presentation and makes you feel good. This is about selling yourself and nobody else can do it better than you. First impressions last forever and you never know where you'll meet this people again or who could they refer you to.
2. Do your homework and plan ahead. Learn about the companies that will be at the site, what they are about, their financial conditions, benefits, read, read, read. You will only gain from the many hours invested on this task. Select the company and jobs you have interest on. Print the job description and your resume so you can present it to the recruiter. Don't go just for "any job", unless you don't have any other choice or you are open to general positions. Don't ever sell yourself low! This differentiates you from the bystanders. So, after the long line and waiting time outside the job fair, visit first those companies you identified and surprise them with your "readiness" and qualifications. They may ask you to apply on-line, and that's ok. Companies have their recruiting policies and procedures. Agree to it, and ask the HR rep to connect you to the person handling the position you are searching for. Who knows, they may offer you another good 2nd choice instead.
3. Be open minded and share with others. This type of events are opportunities for people of different nationalities as well as educational and professional backgrounds. That's the beauty! Share with them your knowledge and experience, and learn from theirs.
4. Don't criticize instead offer ideas. The NSHP is doing a great job considering its short life spam. We have a large range of professionals that could contribute with ideas, suggestions and recommendations to the NSHP and members. One hand washes the other, and is one way of growing and being strong.
To recap my experience. I had the opportunity to present my credentials to the companies/entities I was interested: PB, Unilever, NRDC, Corning and Girl Scouts of America. I have an interview with one of them tomorrow and expecting to set-up meetings with 3 others shortly (and crossing fingers ;0). Aetna and Wachovia didn't attend so had to target other institutions: Boy Scouts of America and New York Life as the others did not have the type of job opportunities I am searching for. Nevertheless, I left my resume with them "just in case" something new arises. Yes, I also heard the same line most of you did: "you must post your resume on-line....."
In conclusion, my attendance to the job fair had good results.
Once again, my gratitude to Ricardo Villalba, Len Mastrapa and Eric Shannon for their hard work and interest on giving opportunities to Hispanic professionals!
Saludos,
Jacqueline
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Shannon on -
Jacqueline, thank you so much for your kind comments and constructive feedback/advice - I especially like your tip about preparing mentally, physically and emotionally. After reading your comments and others I think we can add another item:
*know in advance how you will respond if a recruiter you really wanted to give you quality time directs you to the employers website*
Though I am not an expert, my first goal would be to come away with the recruiter's business card/contact information so that I could later try to move my application forward with a phone call and e-mail after applying online. If the contact information is not offered, I would want to communicate some of my experience into getting that contact information (and I might do this anyway even if the business cards are handed out to everyone).
For example, " Susie, I traveled from Boston today to meet you because I am a true XYZ Company fan -- I know that with so much traffic here, there isn't time for us to talk in depth, but, I would like to follow up with you after I apply online... May I do that?"
Your thoughts?
-- Eric
About NSHP
With 10,000+ members, the National Society for Hispanic Professionals is the top US networking association for Hispanic professionals. It's free to join and this is a great place for you to connect with new people who share your interests, BUT it's not for selling or promoting your business. Join us today and ask here if in doubt about our policy.
NSHP Sponsors
Upcoming job fairs
Bilingual jobs
Birthdays
With 10,000+ members, the top US networking association for Hispanic professionals and free to join.
Music
Badge
Portada Hispanic News
© 2009 Created by Ricardo Villalba - NSHP admin
