Oakland, Macomb Economic Developers Offer New-Concept Career Fair
Economic development agencies from cities across Oakland and Macomb Counties have joined forces to create a high tech job fair that connects Southeast Michigan job seekers with businesses from throughout the area that have immediate job openings.
The event, Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011: Where Oakland Macomb Employers Meet SE Michigan Job Seekers, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24 at Oakland University.
Dan Casey, Rochester Hills' director of economic development, brought the idea to his colleagues in Oakland and Macomb County cities after hearing more employers mentioning they had immediate job openings to fill.
"After a two year job drought in the region, there is a definite need by local employers to reinvigorate their employee ranks with skilled, dedicated workers," explains Casey. "The Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011 is organized to match area businesses that have immediate job openings with candidates interested in long-term employment."
In addition to Rochester Hills, participating communities include Auburn Hills, Madison Heights, Southfield, Sterling Heights and Troy, as well as Michigan Works, Expetec Technology Services, the Rochester Downtown Development Authority, Young Professionals of Rochester, Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College and host sponsor, Oakland University.
Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011 employer participants do not need to be based in these cities; nor do career fair participants. The event is open to the first 70 companies that have immediate full-time job openings to fill in Southeast Michigan.
Participation is on a first come, first served basis and there is a $100 charge for employers. They must have several jobs to fill over the next year to participate and are required to staff a table for the duration of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Laurie Johnson, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Auburn Hills, leads the marketing committee for Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011.
"My economic development colleagues and I were commenting that what's remarkable about the recovery we are seeing now is employers consistently have a shorter ramp-up time to meet their customer's needs," Johnson said. "We organized the format of the Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011 accordingly."
Pre-registration for interested companies is required; registration begins on Jan. 17 and can be found online at www.mijobhub.com. Companies will be reviewed by the organizers and notified by Jan. 28 if they have been selected to participate. Staffing companies may not participate in Oakland Macomb Job Hub 2011 unless they have verification of a large customer contract that begins in the immediate future and requires placement of at least 1 year. Job seekers must register and submit their resumes on-line at www.mijobhub.co by Feb. 4.
Johnson said the event has both an online and in-person component to maximize the benefits for employers and prospective employees.
"The online registration for job seekers is designed to attract those qualified for high technological positions seriously looking for meaningful, long-term employment opportunities," Johnson said. "We are maintaining the traditional career fair in-person meeting, too, so that employers can review resumes in advance and then establish a personal connection for meaningful dialogue. We are also going to have career coaches available onsite to give candidates immediate feedback on their resumes and provide interviewing tips. Everyone should dress professionally for this event."
The event venue is the Oakland University Student Center, 2200 N. Squirrel Road, Rochester. OU is not in session that week, so ample parking will be available on campus)
There is a $100 non-refundable registration fee for employers. Register online at www.mijobhub.com or by contacting Jennifer Llewellyn at (248) 823-5116. Registration opens Jan. 17; companies will be notified by Jan. 28 if they have been selected to participate.
Career candidate registration is online at www.mijobhub.com by Feb. 4. Best results with online registration. Please dress professionally.
