600+ job opportunities will be available at RecruitmentQueen’s BIG! Bucks County Career Fair on Sept. 20
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
A new season is right around the corner. As the weather turns cooler and the leaves begin to change, it’s the perfect opportunity to embark on a new journey…and dust the cobwebs off of that resume. On Sept. 20 at the Neshaminy Mall, RecruitmentQueen will host its fourth annual BIG! Bucks County Career Fair featuring almost 60 employers and more than 600 job opportunities for all career levels and fields.
Throughout the year, RecruitmentQueen, a digital recruitment job board dedicated to employers and job seekers in Bucks County, hosts career fairs throughout the area. According to RecruitmentQueen president and CEO Jennifer Schultz, each had a successful turnout but the BIG! Bucks County Career Fair promises the most opportunities for job seekers yet.
Though the event will take place in a shopping mall, the jobs available won’t be for Hot Topic or Auntie Anne’s. Recruiters and hiring managers from a variety of professional industries will be present and, depending on the employer, will have everything from entry to senior level positions available. So far, fields will include customer service, sales, management, insurance, administrative, banking, clerical, finance, health care, retail, warehousing and more. No matter a person’s career level or interest, there should be something to suit everyone’s needs.
Compared to a formal interview at a company’s headquarters, the career fair has a more relaxed atmosphere. Still, Schultz encourages people to look and act the part of a professional job seeker. In other words, leave the sneakers at home.
“You’ll be talking to recruiters and hiring managers face to face,” she said.
On many occasions if the recruiter sees something special in a candidate, they’ll take them off to the side to either conduct a private interview or set up a time for the person to visit the company for one. To be one of these lucky individuals, Schultz said it’s important to do some homework on companies of interest ahead of time and have a direct focus as to what you’re looking for.
“Steer clear from saying, I’ll take any job,” she said.
A job seeker’s resume, which Schultz recommends bringing several copies of, should highlight the skillset that’s relevant to the job they’re after. If the resume lists every skill, position and volunteer opportunity, the experiences that are a good fit for the company will be overshadowed by everything else.
“They can’t put a square peg in a round hole,” Schultz said.
While all of the employers are looking to hire professional candidates, they understand many attendees haven’t gone through the interview process in years or have never been to a career fair. If this is the case, job seekers are encouraged to let the staff at registration know. Staff will give them tips on how to speak to the recruiters, outline their relevant experience and equip them with all the tools necessary to receive at least one follow up interview.
“There’s nothing wrong with asking for help,” Schultz said.
Fifty percent of employers always end up hiring at least one candidate from the career fair, so the odds are certainly in job seekers’ favor if they’re prepared. In addition to an updated, typed resume and professional attire, Schultz recommends a few more basics to help attendees succeed — eat, sleep and smile. No employer wants to hire someone who’s tired and irritable because they skipped breakfast.
Schultz’s final words of wisdom are simple enough.
“Show up,” she said.
Too often, she sees candidates submitting their resumes online only to have them get lost in the shuffle of thousands vying for the same position.
“There is nothing to help you stand out unless your resume is top notch,” she said.
At the career fair, employers can put faces and personality traits to the names on the resumes, which is a much more promising way to receive a call back.
The following employers will be participating at the BIG! Bucks County Career Fair on Sept. 20: Robert Half, Friends Hospital, Sykes Enterprises, Salute2Service, TMA Bucks, Holy Redeemer Health System, Majestic Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, King Limousine, Vertical Screen, HCR ManorCare, The First National Bank and Trust Company of Newtown, PSA Healthcare/Epic Health Services, Shop.com, Pennswood Village, Brightwood Career Institute, Tavo Packaging, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, The Horsham Clinic, Automotive Training Center, Chandler Hall, Abra Auto Body and Glass and Univest. ••
If you go…
The BIG! Bucks County Career Fair will be held Sept. 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Sears Court of the Neshaminy Mall, 707 Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem. Employers can register at eventbrite.com/e/big-bucks-county-career-fair-employer-registration-tickets-34983466490. Job seeker registration is available at eventbrite.com/e/big-bucks-county-career-fair-jobseeker-registration-tickets-36523370384.
To help job seekers gain even more recognition from Bucks County employers, Schultz encourages those looking for employment to complete a free profile at recruitmentqueen.com. Job alerts can also be tailored to send notifications of positions best-suited to the job seeker’s skill set.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
