At the end of the day I was pleased with the DC Job Fair. I made a couple of personal contacts and met a few really nice people. (Please contact me with any or all of your public health, clerical or any job opportunities- I have an array of skills!)
Yes, “they” did check ID’s, however when the nice woman said “you can show your resume with your address” I thought to myself “well honey, don’t tell people that, anyone can type up 1234 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SE DC” and show up.
Employers ranged from WMATA to DCPS to quite a few Law Enforcement Agencies. While some agencies “took your resume.” In other-words some organizations took a look at your resume and told you that you were a good fit for the job position while as expected every employer referred you to their website. I understand that I will need to apply online, and looking in the future for any job fairs I will check out what jobs are posted first on a company’s website and come prepared with my knowledge of that job. Also. . . a few suggestions:
1. To the men of DC: Job Fairs are NOT a place to pick up women. Let’s focus on getting jobs. We came there to find a job, you came there to find a job, so please don’t be asking for my number until we can get through these times. Lets NOT do it “together”
2. TO the young’n I saw that was putting on his tie and tucking in his shirt when we were walking in the convention center. . . that’s what’s up!!! Young’n’s NOW is the time to hike up those drawers. Borrow a belt, wear your little brothers pants, but please NO underpants at the job fair. You know you are fabulous! Show the world!
(There were some opportunities for all ages! To the young man without the resume- hope you ring me for some assistance in creating one!)
3. I understand that in the construction world one is not going to wear a suit to work. I used to clean and organize houses- I didn’t care what I was wearing! But, please, slacks and button-down is not too much to ask.
4. TAKE OFF YOUR SUNGLASSES. SUN= meant for the sun. Whomever started the whole “wearing your sunglasses inside” ought to have a real sit down with me.
5. Logistically speaking. . . it might have just been me but I don’t I think anyone ever offered me any kind of map of where and who the employers were! That would have been helpful. Better yet it would have been great to know everyone that was confirmed the night before.
6. It would also have been great to have some computers set up corner with either University students or of some kind of capacity helping job seekers improve, or create, resumes. I would have gladly volunteered an hour doing so.
7. I would have liked to have seen “door greeters” from the metro to the actual entrance of the job fair. It was unclear to me where I was going. It may have been intimidating for some people (which I know some may be saying this is not a big deal) but for some people who have been out-of-work for a long time it is a huge step to get out of bed!
8. Is there any reason that it didn’t go until 5 pm?
9. It would have been great to have separate computers that were ONLINE so that people could take the step to apply for jobs while they were at the job fair. Sometimes the process is new for some people and then you could have had individuals assisting them through the process.
Thank you Congresswoman Holmes for your Annual Job Fair! If you would like to hire me for any improvements feel free to contact me via this blog post!