I guess if I'm totally honest, I'd have to say there are "some" jobs being created, but they are few and far between, as demonstrated by the fact that the economy created zero jobs last month! And judging by the number of Americans seeking employment, those working part-time but really wanting full-time work, and those that have just given up all hope - we've got a crisis on our hands. That’s why I’m surprised and disappointed when I see organizations advertising Job Fairs. I’m surprised because employers aren’t hiring a wide variety of jobs, and I’m disappointed because I don’t believe these Fairs help job seekers appropriately manage expectations about opportunities. Adding to that, when hundreds of people show up for a handful of jobs there’s no way they’ll walk away feeling like the experience was respectful and uplifting. So my question – is there something we can do to make Job Fairs relevant again, or has their time passed?
It’s Politics, Business, Community and Government
At this point you might be wondering where I'm taking this blog, but don't worry, it's not about politics - although I hope the politicians who read this learn something from it. No, I want to focus on the responsibilities and accountabilities we all have to treat job seekers with respect and properly manage their expectations about next steps. You may not have seen this as something you are responsible for, but more and more we all have to be honest with the messages we send about the pace and realities of future job growth.
Recently an organization offered a Job Fair in the Atlanta metro area. They were surprised when 5,000 candidates arrived to stand in line for hours waiting to get their time in front of a hiring manager. What the job seekers experienced was a situation not well thought out: No shelter from the August "dog day" heat, no port-o-potties, no water or food. Just a very long line that led to an exhibit hall where businesses were requesting that resumes be submitted on-line.
Summarizing the event for a reporter it was revealed by promoters that employers were looking for qualified candidates for at least 1,000 jobs. In reality 65 individuals reportedly received job offers from that Job Fair. That’s 65 lucky people out of 5,000!
I'm not sure how many of the 5,000 were out of work and could give their entire day for this fiasco, but I'm sure some of those folks sacrificed part-time hours and income for the hope of a full-time job! That's what's got me all wound up! The Human Resource profession is about helping people, being the advocate for workers, the liaison between management and non-management. We should be all about treating people with respect and dignity. And that’s not what I’ve been seeing at these Job Fairs. Instead, it looks like the promoters want to be seen as doing good. But when you look at the outcome, it would seem like there is more pain, frustration, anger and despair as a result of participating in the event rather than hope. It also concerns me that this environment we are creating - drawing thousands of unemployed people together for no other benefit but to stand in long lines in tremendous heat - could explode with violence. People are fragile, and not managing their expectations could unintentionally tip someone over the edge.
The organizers’ hearts might have been in the right place - connect job seekers with folks that "someday" will again have jobs to offer. But the message that the phrase "Job Fair" conveys is that employers are seeking to fill jobs right now! And we just can't say this Job Fair in Atlanta was a fluke. The organizers went on to offer another "Fair" in Los Angeles last week and 10,000 people came and stood in line waiting for an opportunity to speak with someone looking to fill a job with the skills they had to offer. A disaster waiting to happen.
What the World Needs Now is Hope
I saw a report on the news recently about the depression and lack of hope Americans are feeling - not just from the lack of work, but also from losing homes, the difficult weather we've had this summer, the earthquake in a location where earthquakes are not common, the flooding and the wild fires. Seems like everywhere you look, including our nation's capital, you find struggles. The reporter referenced tips for managing sadness and feelings of loss of hope by managing the intake of sad news, scheduling time with upbeat people and making sure to include exercise in our daily routines.
As we look at the job crisis, I believe it's time for every employer, Chamber, business association, political party, human resource association, recruiter, and job fair organizer to realize it's not business as usual. We have a responsibility to protect the job seekers from additional despair and vulnerability. We need to be the guardians who deliver messages of hope and not of frustration. Many people are at their wits end. We've seen a spike in violence across the country, often fueled by people feeling out of options with nowhere to look for comfort.
In order to turn our economy around we need to foster hope and confidence, and that includes showing respect to those seeking a job opportunity. This is not a time to be irresponsibly playing with lives and dreams.
So What's Next?
I think it's time for us to get innovative about what the new “Job Fair” can be. First, let’s change the name so people will view it differently – maybe it’s a Career Boot Camp. Can you imagine this?
You see the Career Boot Camp advertised through the newspaper, DOL career centers, Chambers, and internet. You’re required to register and you receive a time to arrive, in order to avoid the hours of long lines and better manage the Camp environment. With your registration request you also select three or four options of topics you are interested in learning more about. The workshops might address topics such as:
- Networking
- Appropriate business dress, for the job search and on the job
- Verbal and non-verbal communications
- The power of being a good team player
- Business Etiquette 101
- Resume review
- Mock interviews
- What employers want in a good employee – panel of business owners
- Discussions about job search techniques with HR professionals
- Basic computer skills
- Health screenings
- Dental and eye exams
- Flu shots
- Red Cross blood drive
- Clothes closet (collect and dispense)
- Food bank (collect and dispense)
We still need to bring together people who are looking for work, which was the objective of the Job Fair. But now, we need to help them prepare for the types of jobs that will be coming and how to be successful in those new roles. A Career Boot Camp could be very helpful in giving an individual the skills and the courage required for “reinvention.”
I think it’s time we get creative and bring people together to learn, gain awareness about what the marketplace of the future will require, and prepare them for success. We need to stop draining energy from those already uncertain of when they might expect a break. Let's open their eyes to new professions, new conversations, and ways to transfer their skills into the future.
I recently received an email from a colleague who is working with the West Georgia Employers Committee to offer a “Job Networking Event” later this month. To my delight the notice is crystal clear: This is Not a Job Fair! Instead the focus of the event is to learn about the jobs that the employers expect to have in the future, what performance expectations will be required, and to start building relationships with these employers. Information will be shared that job seekers can use to prepare for what’s coming next. What a fantastic idea! Kudos to Diana and her team!
We need to start thinking and reacting to unemployment in a different way than we have in the past. The world is different, the needs are different and the solutions have also got to be different. And above all, we need to instill hope and confidence in an environment of respect and dignity. No longer is there a need for a “fair” that you go to to shop for your next job. Instead, I believe it's the event you attend (in your best business professional outfit) to build your skills, attitudes, talents, competencies and awareness of what will work in the future.
PS - For Job Seekers
If you are currently looking for a job, be suspicious of any organization advertising that it's having a Job Fair. Take action to contact the organizers and find out what businesses are participating and what specific skill sets they are looking for to fill the job openings they are recruiting for.
Be protective of your time, energy and psyche. If they can't specifically tell you the type of positions being recruited for, or provide you with an "appointment" of when you should show up, give yourself permission to pass. The odds of something working out for you at a poorly organized Job Fair are not good. You'll have better results by spending that time networking with a colleague or friend who is already working somewhere and may know someone to introduce you to.
So what do you think? Are Job Fairs still relevant? What role should businesses play in connecting with job seekers when the number of job openings are limited? What's the best way to manage job seeker expectations, frustrations, anger and yes, maybe even violence? I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Q&A
I’ve been looking for a job for 6
months! It seems like nothing is
working. Should I chalk this up to the
fact that I’m over 50 and just give up?
Can you help me with suggestions for dealing with age discrimination?
- Harry
Check out Dear Jobseeker for my answer to Harry's question.
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