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August 19. 2012 12:56AM
Nashua job fair looking to connect with employers
NASHUA — Continuum of Care is on the hunt for employers to participate in its Employment Connect job fair next month, designed to give prospective employees the chance to turn the tables and find out just what it takes to get hired.
The fair aims “to connect employers and employees through the shortest possible route, in other words get them into the same room,” said the Nashua Soup Kitchen’s Tom Lopez, who chairs the continuum's employment subcommittee.
The continuum includes local agencies such as New Hampshire Works, Marguerite’s Place, Norwell House, the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, and the Adult Learning Center. The employment subcommittee consists of employees of those organizations who focus on job development.
Lopez said the application process can be frustrating. Often, employers won’t call back because they didn’t get the application or because an applicant’s qualifications fell short.
Whatever the case, the job-seeker is left in the dark.
Through Employment Connect, now in its fourth year, those looking for work can ask employers what qualifications are necessary — even obtain them and return to the contacts they made at the event.
“Now they know exactly what the employer is looking for without all the (complications) that usually accompany a job search,” Lopez said. “If they come back, that shows the employer how dedicated the applicant really is — how serious that person is about working for that company.”
Home Depot, the Greater Nashua Boys and Girls Club, Amsterdam Bar and Grill, Healthy at Home and Tristate Fire Protection have signed up for the fair. Organizers are hoping to recruit up to 15 businesses across a variety of fields.
The program is organized in coordination with St. Joseph Hospital’s Dress for Success Program, which offers clients free professional clothing.
A variety of area service agencies will also be on the scene.
“When you get down to it, it doesn’t really need to take six to eight weeks to hire somebody,” Lopez said. “It takes as long as it takes to meet someone and find out what they have to offer your organization.”
Employment Connect takes place Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Welcoming Light, 45 High St. in Nashua. Employers can attend for all or part of the event. For information, contact Tom Lopez at tom@nsks.org or 889-7770.
Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.
The fair aims “to connect employers and employees through the shortest possible route, in other words get them into the same room,” said the Nashua Soup Kitchen’s Tom Lopez, who chairs the continuum's employment subcommittee.
The continuum includes local agencies such as New Hampshire Works, Marguerite’s Place, Norwell House, the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, and the Adult Learning Center. The employment subcommittee consists of employees of those organizations who focus on job development.
Lopez said the application process can be frustrating. Often, employers won’t call back because they didn’t get the application or because an applicant’s qualifications fell short.
Whatever the case, the job-seeker is left in the dark.
Through Employment Connect, now in its fourth year, those looking for work can ask employers what qualifications are necessary — even obtain them and return to the contacts they made at the event.
“Now they know exactly what the employer is looking for without all the (complications) that usually accompany a job search,” Lopez said. “If they come back, that shows the employer how dedicated the applicant really is — how serious that person is about working for that company.”
Home Depot, the Greater Nashua Boys and Girls Club, Amsterdam Bar and Grill, Healthy at Home and Tristate Fire Protection have signed up for the fair. Organizers are hoping to recruit up to 15 businesses across a variety of fields.
The program is organized in coordination with St. Joseph Hospital’s Dress for Success Program, which offers clients free professional clothing.
A variety of area service agencies will also be on the scene.
“When you get down to it, it doesn’t really need to take six to eight weeks to hire somebody,” Lopez said. “It takes as long as it takes to meet someone and find out what they have to offer your organization.”
Employment Connect takes place Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Welcoming Light, 45 High St. in Nashua. Employers can attend for all or part of the event. For information, contact Tom Lopez at tom@nsks.org or 889-7770.
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Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.