As many as 50 jobs could be up for grabs as WorkBC Maple Ridge is hosting a free Job Fair on Tuesday Oct. 17.
The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the WorkBC office, located at #170 – 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd. and has six employers confirmed for the event.
Karoline deVrise, Community and Contract Services Programmer at the Maple Ridge Work BC office, said positions are being filled filled for in a number of areas, ranging from customer service, sales, and commercial cleaning to construction general labour, site cleanup and supervisory roles.
The event is open to anyone looking for employment, featuring both part-time and full-time positions.
She said anyone planning on attending the event is encouraged to come to the WorkBC office prior to the job fair in order to improve their chances of landing a job. She said too many people come unprepared, whether it’s not being dressed properly or not ready for the interview process.
“I had someone show up in shorts and flip-flops once,” said deVrise.
She emphasized it’s important to show up with an up-to-date clean resume, free of typos. As far as the interview process, she said job seekers need to understand first impressions matter. She said a little coaching can help with things like eye contact, a proper hand shake and clear and concise answers.
Job seekers should plan to talk to employers face-to-face, with jobs being offered at the fair.
Confirmed employers for the event are Staples, Access Health services, Advance Flow, Tim Hortons, Corporate Cleaning Services, and Rockport Property Services. deVrise said they are hoping to add more before the event.
“We had a small fair with one employer and we had four people hired on the spot,” said deVris.
To help prepare, job seekers can take advantage of free workshops at the WorkBC office on Dewdney Trunk Road, honing their resumes, cover letters and interview skills. In addition, deVrise said the WorkBC staff are available for job coaching after they’ve been hired.
“If there’s a problem at the new job, we can help if there’s a bump in the road,” she said. “Often times it’s just a communication glitch.”
Visit www.workbcmapleridge.ca for a list of workshops or call 604-466-4622 for more information.