Last Thursday, like many others,
I attended the 2009 CDO Workforce
Job Fair and Career Expo at the
Holiday Inn in Oneonta.
I was blown away at the attendance
as soon as I pulled into the
parking lot. About 50 businesses
were on hand to feature various employment
opportunities within their
organizations.
More than 600 job seekers made
the rounds to the display tables,
hopeful that filling out an application
or dropping off a resume would
prove fruitful in the near future.
The Daily Star was one of many
sponsors of the event, and several
things caught my attention.
First, the sheer volume of folks
who attended was astounding and
certainly a product of our hard economic
times.
The recent unemployment statistics
were telling this year. Some
attendees were jobless, displaced by
company cutbacks or layoffs, while
others had jobs and were looking to
find a better fit or an upgrade.
Our comptroller was on hand the
entire day and placed a call to us an
hour after the event began. To our
surprise, it was to get more applications.
We started the day with 100,
and by 11 a.m., we were already out.
The talent, experience, variety
and ambition of the attendees highlighted
that quality candidates are
ready, willing and able to meet the
needs of area employers.
As I toured the tables, I was
amazed at just how many companies
had jobs to fill. The misconception
that there are no jobs in the area
went out the window.
Think back to the last event you
attended at the Holiday Inn. Most
recently, at the wedding I attended,
the celebration filled the large banquet
room to capacity.
Well, if you double that, you will
get an indication of just how large
this annual event really was, as
vendor tables were spread among
two rooms.
Many thanks to all those who participated
and the many people who
worked so hard to put this together.
Eventually, it will benefit us all.
After the event, there was a
reception for local college students
to interact with business representatives.
Colleagues recounted their own
job offerings in different specialties.
For example, while a hospital
is known for its physician and nurse
disciplines, its accountants, technical
support, among others, are vital
to its operations.
The clear message was to not discount
an organization’s needs simply
based on its product or service.
The other recurring theme was
the perception of entry-level jobs _
there are none because every position
can build bigger opportunities.
The fact is that most companies
look to promote from within. They
train and educate existing employees
to grow their business.
A foot in the door, persistence
and drive can elevate or launch a
career, and candidates should keep
that in mind. What that’s saying is,
don’t cut your nose off to spite your
face. Being shortsighted could close
doors.
In my eyes, the event was a huge
success. It gave the avenue for jobseekers
and companies with hiring
needs a chance to come together for
mutual benefit.
As we pore through the numerous
applications we received that day
for our vacancy, I am confident a
perfect fit is in the mix.
Since the inception of my column,
I have had the pleasure of
corresponding with a reader named
Butch. As a former smoker, he has
been a champion and supporter of
my efforts.
He e-mailed me Wednesday about
the cigarette tax hike that will take
effect in April.
He cleverly pointed out that it
was another great reason to kick my
nasty habit _ not that I need another
one, because all the old reasons
are still valid.
I couldn’t agree more with Butch.
Anyone else jumping on the wagon
come April?
___
Tanya Shalor is publisher of
The Daily Star and may be reached
at (607) 432-1000, ext. 214, or
tshalor@thedailystar.com. Her column
appears every other week.
