76 companies participate in career fair
MARSHALL TWP, Allegheny County — Job seekers converged on the DoubleTree by Hilton Wednesday afternoon to network with employers at the Pittsburgh North Regional Career Fair.
The fair, sponsored by the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, had 76 companies represented.
Jim Boltz, executive director of the chamber, said, “There is a good variety of employers here, and they all have jobs. That's the one thing I have been hearing from all of them. They really have a need.”
This event allows job seekers to make a first impression, said Megan Julius, director of marketing and events for the chamber. She said, “I think that is the hard part about how most people find jobs these days. You can't make that first impression by submitting your resume via e-mail for an interview.”
Linda Spudic, recruitment and retention manager with Lifesteps, said the candidates coming through the fair were qualified and seemed interested in the programs that Lifesteps has to offer.
“They really seem dedicated to finding a career that fits them,” she said.
Debbie Walker, human resources generalist with Kawneer Cranberry-ALCOA, said there was a steady flow of candidates at the fair.
Walker said confidence and communication skills are what stood out for her with candidates.
“Those soft skills are so important on how to address people and relate to people,” she said. “I think sometimes people forget about those soft skills that are really important.”
Walker said the company was doing direct hiring at the fair and scheduling interviews for the production and manufacturing positions.
“We already have a couple scheduled so I am really excited,” Walker said.
Sue Gross, human resources manager for #1 Cochran, said she was surprised with the turnout even with the rain.
“I think we have a very nice turnout and very nice mixture of people looking for a variety of different positions,” Gross said.
The candidates came prepared with their resumes, cover letters and even shared their military background with them, said Courtney Halle, corporate recruiter for #1 Cochran.
“They have come prepared to look for a career,” she said.
Gross said the job seekers were asking questions and asking the right ones.
Lori Rieger of Cranberry Township recently relocated to the area and was looking for employment in the communications field.
Rieger said one aspect she noticed when she moved back to the region is that it is different from what it was 13 years ago. She wanted to see the different companies that were at the fair.
“I wasn't sure what to expect. The write up made it sound like it was going to be pretty good, and it is. It really is a nice turn out,” she said.
Rieger said the people she had a chance to talk to were insightful and interested in what she was looking for in a career. Employers gave her some direction even if they did not have the job she wanted.
Boltz said something new to the fair this year was a business after hours time when the employers and the job seekers were able to spend time together after the fair.
“We think that is going to be a great networking session,” Boltz said. “We all know how important networking is in everything you do in getting business and getting jobs, so we feel by us being able to do that we might help people connect even better.”
