It’s time to break out the business casual and polish up the resume for today’s annual job fair at Lenoir Community College.
Starting today at 9 a.m., nearly 120 employers from as far as Raleigh will fill the college’s gymnasium. The event is free and open to everyone, giving job seekers and students the opportunity to see what careers are available.
“In today’s job market, it’s easy to get a little discouraged,” said Frances Gaskins, LCC’s director of cooperative education. “I think having a job fair lets you know that there may not be a huge amount of jobs available, but there are jobs available. If they know there are jobs available and what those requirements are, then as a student they can gauge classes around that and prepare themselves on what that job requires.”
She said although the job fair is open to everyone in the community, the school tries to complement LCC programs by offering a wide variety of vendors. The fair will include representative from U.S. Cellular, Woodmen of the World, Boys and Girls Club, Avon and several area agencies. The whole spectrum is covered as companies from the restaurant business and the health field to the media and country club will participate.
“Students usually flock to those employers that are related to what they’re studying,” Gaskins said. “And a lot of the hospitals … hire such a variety. We have had people hired on the spot. Little Caesar’s, that’s just come to Kinston, I think they will be doing some hiring.”
Gaskins said the fair has expanded from about 30 vendors in the early 1990s.
Another change that came with time was the means of job searching. She said people can electronically submit hundreds of resumes and not ever get a chance to have face-to-face conversation about the job.
“Employers don’t see the person who is applying for a position, but they will get their resume and see them on paper,” Gaskins said. “We feel that the job fair gives jobs seekers the opportunity to actually meet with that human resources person, shake hands and to find out about the company. Those are things that you just don’t get to do.”
Jordan Braswell, a LCC student in his second year, said he will be looking to meet with companies related to psychology.
“Personally, it gets me prepared when I go apply for a job,” he said. “You want to have your things, like a resume, ready, make sure you’re dressed nicely and make a first impression. You get a general idea of what’s out there that we have in the local community.”
Dozens of area residents and students are expected to attend the fair today.
“We’re in an environment where we only get to send a resume, so we never get to hear back,” Gaskins said. “I think people should really come out and take advantage.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
BREAKOUT BOX:
Lenoir Community College Job Fair 2013
- Today, 9 a.m.–noon
- LCC Gymnasium
- For more information, call 252-527-6223 ext. 368
- Dress for interviews