Job Fair 101

Last week at my job (which will remain nameless because I need this one right now) I was asked to work the local Job Fair. They hold one here in Jefferson City about every quarter or so out at the “community center” in the now bankrupt Capital Mall. Why was I asked, a grumpy, sour, and generally goofy employee, it was simple there was no one left. The Personnel Director had gone thru all of the usual manager types to go out and help, I made the mistake of saying yes.

I have been to Job Fairs before, but only on the other side of the table. It was never a fun experience, and seemed quota filler more then a real chance to get a good job. This time I was on the “Power “side. I got to say, I was stunned. I was stunned in a couple of unique ways. The most prominent was that most of these job seekers were not in fact seeking employment, but only filling out forms so they can still get whatever government handouts they could. I felt more like I was at a club or bar then an avenue for people looking for work. They wore clothes that were completely unacceptable for any job, ever. Heck I was impressed when someone had a shirt and tie on, and I would usually ask them if they were lost. I would then see some old friends come by, good people looking for work after they were laid off from the job they had for 20 years or more. That made it such an unusual day, real people that need and want to work, and the hard core unemployable. I got to talk with the Personnel Director and she said that it is like this most times, and that all you can do is hope that a real candidate comes by.

I guess there is not much of a funny take to this story, I wish I could go into more detail, but I do not want to be on the other side of that table any time soon. Let’s just say it was eye opening and when my current employer tires of me….in say 2-3 years I will let you know.