You are invited to our Hiring Fair!
Our annual spring Hiring Fair takes place on Thursday, April 11th from 12 -4pm at the Parksville Community Centre. This is a unique opportunity to bring employers who are hiring, together with people seeking employment.
Also on April 11th at the Parksville Community Centre, we are excited to have two information sessions to support clients interested in work at Island Health or in the Marine industry:
Careers with Island Health, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Interested in applying to Island Health? Meet with an Island Health human resources representative to learn about upcoming opportunities, the application process and the preferred qualifications and resume formatting. This info session is open to anyone interested in seeking employment with Island Health. Pre-register through us at 250.248.3205.
Careers in the Marine Industry, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Join this informative session to learn more about this growing industry and the variety of career opportunities in the marine sector. Representatives from BC Ferries, Canadian Coast Guard, Gowlland Towing, Seaspan and Western Maritime Institute will be in attendance. Pre-register through us at 250.248.3205.
If you are a job seeker looking for work and planning to attend our next Hiring Fair, here are Eight Steps to Help You Succeed:
Step 1: Attend the 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.
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 appropriately. Remember, your most important accessory is your SMILE.
Step 3: Research Registered Employers. You can get a step ahead of the competition by creating a list of the companies attending the fair and doing some research on each of the employers that interest you. You can find out a lot about a company by doing research online and come prepared with a list of questions to ask employers. Check out our Hot Sheet for a list of employers attending.
Step 4: Bring Several Copies of Your Resume. Take a folder with you containing a list of the employers you want to meet with and several copies of your resume, cover letter (addressed to specific employer) and references. 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.
Step 5: Be Prepared for an Interview. You may have two to five minutes to market yourself and ensure you are not screened out, so you need to 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 our Branding “YOU” and/or Acing the Interview workshops.
Step 6: Network! Network! Network! Practice the perfect handshake and eye contact as this will mark your 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 obtain 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 an e-mail to your employers of choice the next day. If you do this via e-mail, make sure it is in proper business language; no jargon, abbreviations or spelling mistakes.
A reminder our 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 April 11th.
