Job-seekers find diverse opportunities
At the career fair Wednesday, Provisional Staffing Services was giving out candy bars. PayDay candy bars.
They’re “kind of a cute way of saying, ‘the first payday we can offer you,’ ” said Kelly Olsen, who was manning the booth.
The peanut and caramel treats were just one of the creative freebies that companies used to attract job-seekers to their stalls.
Sterling Savings Bank had a diverse assortment of goodies: bright green silly putty, magnets, playing cards, letter openers and pens. All were stamped with the bank’s name because, of course, these are marketing tools.
Some tables had handouts that related to their company’s field. Group Health gave passers-by free first-aid kits, filled with antiseptic wipes, bandages and a quick guide for what to do in case of accidents. The stall for Odom Corporation, which distributes Miller and Coors beers, featured cans of one of its few non-alcoholic beverages: Rock Star Energy Drink. Amid the pins, bumper stickers and 10 sets of brochures explaining why the Army can help you achieve your goals, the U.S. Army’s booth was handing out America’s Army video game CDs.
On the other side of the trade center, the Air National Guard took another approach to recruiting. It gave out bags, knowing they would be a “hot item because people start collecting things at the tables,” said Master Sgt. Renee Alsept. The bags, too, displayed a name brand – that of the National Guard. “It’s excellent advertisement,” Alsept said. “It’s giving our company exposure.”
In the midst of all these gifts were people looking for jobs and people looking to fill job openings.
Ryan Lowder, who is between careers, went to the fair armed with resumes. He did his homework beforehand, researching the various companies he wanted to talk to and preparing a list of questions he wanted to ask. “It’s better than sending a resume on their Web site,” said Lowder, who is looking for a marketing job. “It gives you a chance to meet face-to-face with somebody.”
Vendors said they recruit a handful of people from events such as this one, which was sponsored by The Spokesman-Review and attracted more than 1,400 job-seekers.
John W. Fox, who works for Country Insurance and Financial Services, said he has hired a total of one person from the five Spokesman-Review fairs he’s attended.
The company is very selective and seeks to hire people who want long-term careers, not just jobs, Fox said.
You never know where you will meet a qualified candidate, Fox said.
“I met some quality people today, and one of them could end up working for us for 20 years,” he added. “One good agent is worth it.”