Community Career Connection fair aims to connect jobs, workers

Career fair is Friday at Pinnacle Career Institute

Scheduled exhibitors

Exhibitors scheduled to participate in the Community Career Connection, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Pinnacle Career Institute, 1601 W. 23rd St.: Adecco, Aerotek, Amarr Garage Doors, Assistive Technology-Kansas, Baker University and Body Boutique.

Also: Berry Plastics, Capitol Federal, City of Lawrence, Community Living Opportunities, Crown Securities, Del Monte, Douglas County Bank, Douglas County VNA, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Express Employment Professionals, Fed Ex Ground and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Also: Haase and Long, Kansas University, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Montessori, Lawrence Workforce Center, Manpower, Massage Envy, Prescription Solutions, Roger Hill Volunteer Center, Schlumberger, Sedona Staffing, Trinity In-Home Care, United Way of Douglas County, Vista, The World Company and Zen Massage.

The Great Recession may officially be over, but organizers of the upcoming Community Career Connection know plenty of people still need help locating jobs, compiling job applications and otherwise preparing to secure jobs in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Job one: Get started, or keep pursuing, the right way.

“It’s all about connections,” said Marlo Cohen, a management analyst in human relations for the city of Lawrence. “It’s about connecting with local employers. It’s about connecting with some of the local educational institutions, and finding out what employers there are, what jobs are out there. And it’s about finding out, ‘What do I need to do to become a qualified candidate’ for these jobs.”

All that and more will be available to attendees at Community Career Connection, set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at Pinnacle Career Institute, 1601 W. 23rd St. The institute is in the rear of the building south of Perkins Restaurant, off 23rd Street.

At least 35 businesses and organizations are scheduled to participate as exhibitors. Representatives will be available to discuss current and potential future job opportunities, or to share resources to help attendees in their job searches.

The event also will include workshops with experts in hiring, human resources and related fields, covering topics such as:

• How to network.

• How to prepare for and succeed in a job interview.

• How to conduct and optimize efforts in online job searches.

• How to address workplace challenges such as dealing with conflicts or disclosing a past problem — such as being fired or convicted of a crime — to a potential employer.

Attendees will be able to use the computer lab at Pinnacle Career Institute to fill out applications for employment with some of the exhibitors at Friday’s event.

“And we’ll have rooms separated, with more space, this time for conducting mock interviews and résumé reviews,” said Cohen, co-chairwoman of the event.

Lori MacDonald, director of operations for Adecco in Lawrence and co-chairwoman for the event, noted that Trinity In-Home Care would provide complimentary child care services for people in attendance. No appointments are needed, and Trinity personnel will watch youngsters from 12 months to 12 years old while their parents make the rounds.

“We are targeting the unemployed or underemployed,” MacDonald said. “However, our event is open to everyone.”

Sponsors for the event are the Jayhawk Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Workforce Center, Pinnacle Career Institute, Trinity In-Home Care and the Lawrence school district.