Kendi Clearwater, job developer with Open Door Group, offers tips for jobseekers (Contributed photo)
A career fair today (Thursday) at the Watermark Beach Resort will give jobseekers a chance to meet with about 30 local employers.
The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is hosted by the Open Door Group, WorkBC and the Osoyoos Indian Band.
There will be hundreds of jobs available, including full time, year round, seasonal and part time, entry level and career jobs, said Kendi Clearwater, job developer with Open Door Group.
Clearwater offers these simple tips for jobseekers planning to attend:
Prepare a resume, and bring many copies. There are many forms of resumes and opinions about how long, how intricate or fancy they should be.
A resume represents us, and that is a lot to ask of a simple piece of paper! Remember a resume’s job is to convey information – who you are, how to contact you, what job experience you may have, and education, certification or training you have completed.
For more information on resume attend the employment center of Open Door Group/WorkBC.
Prepare yourself. Since a resume cannot convey the whole of who you are and what you offer, be sure to come prepared to impress a future employer.
A clean, tidy, well-groomed appearance is first and foremost. Business attire does not mean a suit and tie or high heels for ladies, but taking the extra time for your appearance shows you value yourself, and respect the employer enough to put your best foot forward. First impressions count.
Regardless of what type of job you are looking for, remember that you have to get the job first before you can dress like someone who already has the job!
If you are interested in a particular employer, do your research. Take a look at their website, see what their corporate culture might be like.
Read any job descriptions posted on careers and circle words that apply to the employer. If the job description says, “Commitment to excellence of customer service,” be prepared to answer a question about customer service, or volunteer that you were impressed by the company’s reputation as a provider of excellent service.
Introduce yourself and be prepared to give your “career pitch.” Extend your hand, say “hello” and state your name. Have your resume ready to give to the employer.
Be ready to talk about your career interests as well as academic and extracurricular experiences to show your skills and strengths. Ask them questions, “what do you like about working for…, why did you choose this career, what kind of opportunities for growth are there for someone like me? What kind of training do you look for in an employee?
Take a card, and if you are interested ask about follow up, “may I call you in a week’s time?” If there are next steps such as when applying to Corrections, or others that have a longer qualifying process, bring a notebook and take notes. Shake their hand, … firmly, look them in the eye and say thank you. Confidence in yourself speaks volumes!
As always the Employment Program of BC through Open Door Group and WorkBC is available to help you with career assessment, preparation, writing resumes, finding work and supporting you to be successful!
Our office in Osoyoos is 9150 Main Street, unit #4. We are open Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Phone 250-495-7731.
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