Job seeking in the dark became a reality for the 750+ attendees at the Mature Services Job Fair at the Akron Fairlawn Hilton (near Akron, Ohio) on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. 

Whether many people would arrive was questionable as wind-blown rain filled already-soaked streets and a slate sky, split by lightening, hovered over West Akron.  When we got to the Akron Fairlawn Hilton, the parking areas were jammed with vehicles and the rain was not letting up.

Arriving at a Job Fair in anything but pristine condition is not advisable so we drove around until we found a spot in what appeared to be the ‘guest parking’ area and waited for the rain to become a drizzle.  Soon the sky lightened and my companion, in hat and raincoat, and I, umbrella in hand, scurried around to the front entrance.  Strange for the lobby to be dark I thought as I approached the desk to ask the Job Fair’s location, only to discover that we were in the wrong hotel.

We walked next door and saw some of the Mature Services staff standing outside the Akron Fairlawn Hilton.  We soon learned that the electricity was out, but that it should be on by 11:30 – it was then 10:30am and the Fair had been going for about an hour and a half.

The ballroom was like a grotto with shadowy figures moving in front of the few windows in one wall, and pin points of light dotted the room.   Employers’ booths lined the walls, so they must have arrived while it was still light, but now everyone who had a mini-light was using it – job seekers and exhibitors alike.

Large, round tables were placed so that people could get a coffee or just gather their thoughts for a moment – some actually were filling in job applications.  Never let it be said that mature workers are not adaptable!

Jim Mackinnon, an Akron Beacon Journal reporter/photographer arrived and interviewed some the participants, including Judi Trowbridge, an Akron resident.   A lengthy article, with a photo of the mini-light holding job applicant (Ms. Trowbridge), appeared on the front page of the newspaper the following day.

Among the exhibitors were Akron General Medical Center, Kent State University, The University of Akron, Prudential Insurance, other educational and health care companies and organizations, and several staffing agencies.  For a detailed list visit http://www.matureservices.org and click on the Job Fair icon in the news scroll.

It has been about a year since the writer of this blog started posting, and we apologize for not keeping the blog active.  Now we have someone who will answer your questions, respond to your comments, and generally keep this blog going.  We invite your comments -- no spammers please -- and here we go with the first topic:

"Are you one of those people who fill out a job application by writing, 'see attached resume'?"  This could be why you're still looking for work.  Human Resource professionals say this triggers an "instant circular file" response, in other words your job application and resume wind up in the trash can.  WHY?

How you fill out an application is a test to see how neatly, creatively, and consistently you (the job seeker) can fill it in.  Remember to read carefully and to answer exactly what you are asked.  Primarily, job seekers must learn to look at the entire process of filling a position from the employer's point of view.

How about you?  Let's take a poll to see how many people:

-  apply in person,

-  fill out a standard application manually,

-  include a resume or

-  send one by mail, or

-  apply online.

Day 15 – Ready, set, and off we go!

 “ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!” is printed large on a sign in the room we have called home for 14 mornings.  It is the Last Day of the Job Club, and we’re cleaning up some details.  We also have a management person from another of SEC’s Board of Advisors’ companies coming in to give a presentation.

·         Job seekers should consider getting business cards:

Suggestion:  Vistaprint.com will provide 200 cards for the cost of shipping ($5.60) – put your name and contact number and/or email on the front side of card; consider putting your 30-second commercial on the back side.

·         If you leave a message on an answering machine, wait two or three days before calling again.

·         Get out and about: the Akron Round Table attracts a broad range of people and their meetings are easy to attend.  Go to events at the Public Library.

·         See pages 162-173 in Notebook:

o   Don’t take it personally!

o   Be Ready for anything.

o   If you’re in the Interview, you are at least minimally qualified, so concentrate on doing the best interview you’ve ever done, if you want the job.

o   Interviews are subjective from the point-of-view of the interviewer (can he/she see you in his/her team).

Speaker is Manager of Engineering and she brought handouts: 

Handouts:  Importance of Preparation for Interview, Body Language, and the ‘Thank you” letter.

Speaker’s tips:  Obtain key information; Research the company; Assemble documents (resume, references, transcripts, portfolio); Prepare questions; Dress appropriately; Attend to your posture; Practice; Send ‘thank you’ letter; and Follow up.

HANDSHAKES, AND GOOD WISHES ALL AROUND;  A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO DON ZIRKLE!

Day 14 – A word to the wise…..

 CONTEST OVER!  Group #2 got the prize for the most points in the Employer Information Project mentioned on Day #7.

For today’s class, we have a video presentation from the Youngstown office by Edward Jones who is a Human Resources person at Comprehensive Logistics (warehousing).  Mr. Jones retired from the Lordstown General Motors (GM) plant; but found, after about a month, that he wanted to go back to work.  Thus he is familiar with issues that affect mature workers.

Mr. Jones’ resume is described as a snapshot of his experience at GM.  He targeted companies in the same geographic region that provided products and performed functions he had provided while he was at GM, and he found a new position within a few months.  The keys here are ‘warehousing’ and ‘transferable skills’ – if you’ve done a job for an automotive company, you can do a similar job with different merchandise for a different type of company.

Day 13 – Today it’s time to put some lessons to good use

I had an interview scheduled for this morning so I didn’t go to class; but the others finished critiquing the interviews job seekers had with Chris and the SEC Board member.  Unfortunately, the place where I had the interview could not be helpful with things that Job Club members need to collect for the Employer Information Project (Networking). I will just have to assemble my own business profile and submit that.

Note:    For someone like me, who is interested in starting a freelance business, SEC periodically offers workshops for would-be entrepreneurs.

Days 11 and 12 –  Time to take a second look

We are reviewing the unannounced interviews we each had with Chris; and/or the interview we each had with an SEC Board member (This includes the Job Club members in Elyria and Youngstown).  The following points are a synopsis of the individual critiques.

·         Sit up straight and a little forward in your chair – this makes Job Seeker appear alert, as if he/she is eagerly anticipating what is being said.  Appear enthusiastic without being out of control.

·         Make Eye Contact with the Interviewer and smile.  Don’t be gawking around the room when the Interviewer is speaking.

·         Tighten up your answers, be concise while also giving a full answer to the ? being asked.  Use as few words as possible to explain yourself.  Practice!!!

·         Don’t get into your personal history: don’t talk about childhood details, marriage details, religion, political affiliation, etc.  This is a job interview, restrict comments to work-related topics, even your stories!

·         Stories are good to illustrate a point; however, they must be close to the 25-30-second time limit.  Practice!!!

·          Don’t touch your face with your hands.  Keep hands loosely in your lap – make your gestures fit in the box between your shoulders and your lap and the width of your body.  If your hands are all over the place, you may seem threatening to the Interviewer.

·         If you want to change the type of work you do, make certain you know what skills you already have that are transferrable to the new type of work.  If appropriate, take additional training, or classes to prepare yourself for the new type of work.  Be willing to learn!

Day 10 – A rose by any other name…

 In class, we went over how to create a list using RefUSA  (Example is Donzell’s, ).  Remember that you can do this from the computers in the Resource Room at Mature Services, if you do not have a computer at home; you can also access RefUSA by going to the Akron Public Library.  If you have your own computer and a Public Library Card, you can access RefUSA from home.  It’s important to learn what SIC and NACIS codes are so that you can use them to create lists for different industries where you might look for work (this is in the Notebook).  Once you have a list of companies in a particular industry, you can go to the company websites to see whether they have any jobs available, or whether you can submit an application for future reference.

Sometimes you need to create a list for the same occupation across different industries.   Your Notebook (pp. 97-99) also tells you how to research  this.

Computer Assignments III – areas of interest

Computer Assignments IV – practice filling in online applications

These assignments need to be completed before the end of the class.

Remainder of this class spent reviewing interviewing techniques and watching a video about interviewing:

Day 9 –  It’s all in the perspective

More about interviewing-  Remember, this is a skill – PRACTICE!

·         When making your 30-second commercial, remember to include SAR (Situation, Action, Results).

 [What was the situation, what action did you take, and how great were the results [Check notebook page – put in a couple.]

·         If you are asked, What is your worst trait?  Be prepared to answer and say what you are doing to correct it.  Example:  I’m a perfectionist, but I am learning to set priorities; so that I can ”lose the  battle to win the war.”

·         Look around the interviewer’s office, see what’s on the walls.  If you comment on something, be sure you aren’t insulting the interviewer.  Example:  Job seeker comes in, sees a baseball picture on the back of the office door, and makes a negative comment because that player doesn’t belong to the team he supports.  Hey!  THINK!  The picture is on the door in the interviewer’s office so he probably supports the player’s team.  LOOK AT SITUATION FROM THE OTHER PERSON’S POINT-OF-VIEW.  HE’S THE ONE WHO’S HIRING YOU.

·         Interview needs to be a two-way street in order to be successful – don’t try to cover everything with your answers to questions, leave some room for additional questions, comments.

[look at page 128 in notebook]

        Percentage of jobs and how obtained:

        26% personal referrals and networking

        23% through websites

        13% through job boards