Employment event ticks the boxes for job seekers

Employment prospects are looking up for job-seekers after a successful event held at AUT recently.

The diversity job fair, hosted by the Migrant Action Trust and the Pacific Media Centre, helps migrants become workplace-ready in New Zealand.

Seminars with experts from different industries, a CV cover letter session, an entrepreneur event, international student forum, settling in session and mock interviews all featured at the fair.

“The most successful addition this year however would had to be the CV and cover letter checks, as well as the mock interviews, which were lauded in feedback we received from attendees,” said volunteer Justine Narvasa.

“Creating confidence and feeling more job-ready were the most common remarks we had gotten back which was essentially the vision of the Trust for the event,” she added.

Some participants even came with their own business ideas, and sought help to develop them.

Around 300 people attended the event. Coordinator Guilia Pimentel was very pleased with the turnout despite initial numbers indicating double that number would take part.

“We are very satisfied with the event. When taking the weather into account, and the fact that it was also the opening day of the new H&M shop, we had some hard competition. I think we did very well,” she said.

Guest speaker Adon Kumar questioned the timing.

“Just prior to this event there was another job fair in the city. That was very well-funded and publicised and attracted lots of migrants, students and employers. Having two job fairs so close to each other may have had some impact on the diversity job fair at AUT,” he said.

Even so, a full house attended his session, which lasted over an hour.

“Dozens of attendees cornered me after my presentation. I was there for over three hours till 4pm. They wanted more personal advice from me,” he added.

Those who participated seemed to find the seminar very helpful.

”I received many emails from my attendees with very positive feedback on the value, content and how they have been motivated to practise what they learned,” Mr Kumar said.

The point of the job fair, wasn’t necessarily to get at job on the day, but to network, and develop job-seeking skills. Guilia Pimentel said.

But even so, some attendees left with a new job.

“Whilst this event [was] intended to be merely a launching platform there were success stories of on-the-spot hirings after mock interviews as well as finding jobs following the event. I personally heard of one who is now getting their work experience after contacting an industry representative they met at the event,” said Justine Narvasa.