A Buyer’s Market at the Career Fair - By John Hendrie

Over the years I try to attend Career Fairs in the Boston area, mostly to check the types/levels of jobs available and the mood of the attendees (keeping my ear to the ground). I just came back from one in Portsmouth, NH, held at a local community college with reportedly 60 employers representing their opportunities. It was sponsored by the State.

Fortunately, the weather was brilliant ( a New England Spring in the air), for the line to enter stretched way outside the entrance and moved ever so slowly, mindful of airports and crowded Holiday travel. So you inched along, soaking in the conversations of your fellow job petitioners. I would say the mood was heavy with anticipation. Folks were well dressed, embracing folders and brief cases, filled with their life stories, achievements and career histories.

Many wore suits, ties and dress skirts. This was a no nonsense crowd. But, the offerings inside the job Mecca really were directed to entry level positions, hardly any supervisory and certainly no executive level openings. Matching the applicants to the positions, there was a disconnect. However, the prevailing view was “just let me get my foot in the door (the employer’s door, as well as the community college’s)”.

We watch the unemployment numbers “tick” every night, hear Washington thunder about causes and solutions, watch the fights over immigration and entitlements – recurring discourse and dissent. But, standing in line with folks ready to work, prepared to accept positions way below their business pedigree, willing to start work immediately – you end up elated and deflated at the same time – ready resources in good supply, yet a dearth of legitimate opportunity. In the immediate news, we watch McDonald’s hold a similar event to showcase the Restaurant Business as a real career path (and they were wildly successful), and then we read about Chipolte playing the odds by hiring illegal workers. Ah, the messages we create.

I did not stay long at the New Hampshire event. It reminded me too much of the old Navy line, “Hurry up and wait”. However, I do have respect for those out there seeking opportunity with a new job and new future. I just wish I had better answers.

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