RecruitmentQueen’s Spring Job Fair will feature dozens of Bucks County employers on April 11 at Oxford Valley Mall
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Last Tuesday marked the first day of spring, which can arguably be deemed the official season of renewal. As flowers bloom and birds return home from their southern vacation, it’s easy to feel a new sense of purpose as we finally emerge from the bitter, bleak tunnel of winter. Maybe these brighter days are inspiring some of us to make a change we’ve been putting off because the “timing isn’t right.” Or maybe, like seasonal fashion trends, we’re just looking for something new.
For those individuals ready to do some spring cleaning on their lives this year, RecruitmentQueen, a digital resource for Bucks County job seekers and employers, is hosting its annual Spring Job Fair on April 11 at Oxford Valley Mall. RecruitmentQueen’s 2017 fair featured 40 employers, more than 1,000 jobs and hundreds of job seekers. President and CEO Jennifer Schultz anticipates a similar response this year.
“Spring is a great time to look for a new job, particularly since hiring managers and recruiters are eager to fill roles prior to Memorial Day,” she explained.
At the April 11 event, job seekers will have an opportunity to meet with hiring managers from a wide range of industries, including customer service, sales, management, administrative, clerical, nursing, home health care, accounting and more. Both full- and part-time positions will be available for a wide range of experience levels.
To date, a number of employers have already registered to exhibit at the fair. Slated to appear are representatives from Friends Hospital, a private nonprofit institution in Northeast Philadelphia that treats people with mental illness; Double H Plastics in Warminster; Vertical Screen, an applicant screening firm also based in Warminster; Nolan Painting, Inc. in Havertown; Salute2Service, a Bristol-based organization that helps veterans and military families in need across Bucks County; Warwick Family Services, a behavioral health organization in Bensalem; and The Horsham Clinic, a private, inpatient, behavioral health facility in Ambler for individuals with mental health issues.
The job fair will also feature a representative from TMA Bucks, the Trevose-based transportation management service for Bucks County. Though TMA Bucks won’t be there to fill positions, the information provided at its booth may be vital for many attendees.
According to the nonprofit’s acting executive director Steve Noll, TMA’s goal at the fair is to bridge the gap between employers and job seekers when it comes to transportation. Too often, he witnesses locals turn down a dream job because they didn’t realize there was a convenient way to get to it. He has also seen people accept a position, only to realize later on they’re stuck with a two-hour drive to and from the office.
Noll explained that in Lower Bucks County, commuting can be a little tricky, especially for individuals unfamiliar with the regional rail lines. Unlike in Philadelphia, locals can’t simply walk a few blocks and hop on the Broad Street Line or Market-Frankford Line.
“It’s close enough to the city, but not close enough,” he said. “You need public transportation or you need a car.”
At the RecruitmentQueen job fair, TMA representatives will be on hand to discuss available options with job seekers, such as whether they have access to SEPTA and if so, what fares will cost. Information will also available for employers, who may not be aware of offerings such as carpools, telecommuting or pre tax deductions on transit passes.
“It’s educating the employer as much as the job seekers,” Noll said. “We try to leave no stone unturned.”
Overall, Noll hopes TMA’s presence and guidance will help put attendees at ease. He understands a job hunt can be a stressful experience in itself, so the last thing he wants people to worry about is how they’ll get to work every day. That should be the easy part.
For individuals planning to attend the fair, Schultz offered some guidance to help them prepare over the coming days. Even though the event will be held in a shopping mall where dress codes do not apply, job seekers should dress for success with professional attire recommended. Schultz also suggests attendees research the companies they are interested in ahead of time and come to the fair with enough copies of their updated resume in hand. ••
If you go…
RecruitmentQueen’s Spring Job Fair will be held in the Sears Court at Oxford Valley Mall, 2300 E. Lincoln Highway in Langhorne, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 11. To learn more or to register for the career fair, job seekers can visit eventbrite.com/e/bucks-county-spring-job-fair-jobseeker-registration-tickets-43314264130. Employers interested in attending can register at eventbrite.com/e/bucks-county-spring-job-fair-employer-registration-tickets-42942747915?aff=erelpanelorg or call Jennifer Schultz at 267–981–5976. Visit RecruitmentQueen.com for more information.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
