Kokomo Area Career Fair to showcase more than 70 employers
Free event April 14 is open to students, alumni and public
More than 70 central Indiana employers will be showcasing their job opportunities at the Kokomo Area Career Fair set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in Hingst Hall in the Health Professions Center on the Ivy Tech Community College campus at 1815 E. Morgan St.
WorkOne West Central, the City of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo, and Ivy Tech are sponsoring the fair. The event is open to Ivy Tech and IUK students and alumni and community members seeking part-time or full-time jobs or internship positions.
The event is open without charge and provides participants the chance to meet with employers and discuss potential job opportunities.
“Anyone in the community looking for a full-time or part-time job, internship or even volunteer opportunity is provided a greater advantage by networking with prospective employers while attending the career fair,” said Theresa Murphy, vice chancellor for Student Success for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area.
“All employers who are participating currently have job opportunities, so everyone attending should dress in professional attire, bring copies of their resume, and be prepared to talk with potential employers,” she continued. “The day is a great opportunity for networking and learning what technical skills and soft skills employers are looking for in a qualified candidate.”
Kathy Burns, regional business consultant for WorkOne’s West Central Indiana Region 4, said representatives will be available to answer questions about Indiana’s Workforce Ready Grant. The state program provides funding for qualified individuals to cover tuition and fees for short-term training in selected high-demand career fields, regardless of income level.
“Even if you’re not looking for a job right now, this is a great place to find out what kind of careers are out there and what kind of credentials you’d need to qualify,” said Tracy Springer, director of IU Kokomo’s Career and Accessibility Center. “Admissions officers from Ivy Tech and IUK will be on hand to talk about options for coming to college to get the certificates or degrees that will open doors to new careers.”
For more information, contact Ivy Tech’s Theresa Murphy by email at tmurphy7@ivytech.edu or by telephone at (765) 252-5503, or IU Kokomo’s Springer at tracylb@iuk.edu or 765-455-9301.
Tips for success
Katie Loman, employer consultant in Ivy Tech Kokomo’s Career Coaching and Employer Connections division, noted that talking to employers can be overwhelming for many people. She offered these tips for how to make the most of your time at the Kokomo Area Career Fair:
Update your resume and bring copies. We suggest 10-12.
Prepare an elevator speech that is concise. Include reasons why you are interested in the company and how you might add value. Practice in front of family and friends for feedback.
“Dress to impress.” This includes dress pants, skirts, button-down long sleeve shirts, and clean shoes. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Research attending employers and companies.
Prepare questions to ask employers. Examples include:
What specific positions are you looking to hire?
What do you look for in a team member?
Can you describe your company culture?
What do you like most about your job?
Can you talk more about the hiring process?
Stay positive. Talking to so many employers can be overwhelming. Use this this as an opportunity to learn more about landing your ideal career.
Collect business cards and follow up with a thank-you card or email thanking employers for their time.