In the beginning of August I wrote a story about two La Salle graduates struggling to find employment. Down on their luck, and out of ideas, the recent graduates ran out into the street dressed their best and made it their mission to distribute their resume to the masses.  The article expressed my praise towards the hungry, determined, and innovative job seekers, but opposing views quickly flooded my comment box. Professionals that I have a great respect for criticized my praise, and bashed the job search strategy that I believed was genius. Guess what, Corn Heads…

I was right.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32804967/ns/local_news-philadelphia_pa/

Not only did both La Salle graduates quickly gain employment after their road side antics, but Philadelphia has found its latest sidewalk job search hero.  Kevin Smiley, Temple graduate, and aspiring Sports Writer saw what worked for both La Salle graduates and found out quickly that it worked for him as well.  For what I believe was a week, Smiley passed out resumes during rush hour in Center City, Philadelphia and held a sign that said, “Temple grad looking for work, have resume.”  Smiley can now say he has a full-time paid internship with Comcast’s Web Department, and he should be thanking his innovative friends over at La Salle for the idea.

So, yes, I did tell you so, but let me get over myself and try to explain why this approach CAN work.  I emphasize can because it certainly will not work every time, but when it does I’m definitely not surprised.  Simply put, people are sick of resumes.  Sure, a resume is needed at some point or another, but those with a great network, or connection are likely to win the position over a more experienced professional who doesn’t have such a strong network.  Recruiters will cut to resumes from referrals, networking, or other outside the box job search tactics before going through the resumes from their postings.  Put yourself in the mind of a recruiter that has received 100 resumes over the weekend for a particular position.  Over the weekend the recruiter also receives an email from the CIO, referring a candidate for the opening.  Which resume do you think will be opened first?  Catch my drift?

In the end, what matters most is that three recent graduates have jobs.  Innovation and hunger can go a long way, and while I don’t suggest the same job search method for all of you, I do suggest to feed off your hunger, and introduce a bit of innovation to your job search, career, and life.

Attendance is free and registration is not required, although if you do register on the website, than you’ll be given a glimpse of the company attendance list.  I strongly suggest registering, than make up your mind once you see which companies plan to be there.

I’ve listed brief information on all five job fairs below, as well as a link that will take you directly to the specific career fair of interest.

Monday, August 10, 2009

• King of Prussia, PA
• 11AM  to 2PM
• Crowne Plaza Hotel Valley Forge
• Click here for more information

Thursday, August 27, 2009

• Voorhees, NJ
• 11AM  to 2PM
• The Mansion on Main Street
• Click here for more information

Friday, October 9, 2009

• Philadelphia, PA
• 11AM  to 2PM
• Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia
• Click here for more information

Thursday, November 5, 2009

• King of Prussia, PA
• 11AM  to 2PM
• Crowne Plaza Hotel Valley Forge
• Click here for more information

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

• Voorhees, NJ
• 11AM  to 2PM
• The Mansion on Main Street
• Click here for more information

Monster.com and Philly.com team up to create what they call the New Job Hob Nob.  What’s wonderful about this event is it brings a networking feel to the career fair.  Candidates and employers will casually meet, mingle, and match up.  Walking up to a recruiter or manager sitting behind a desk can be somewhat intimidating to some, so this casual networking feel should be welcomed as well a studied by other career fair set ups in the future.  Along with a link to the event website, please see a few of the important details I’ve outlined below:

• What: NEW JOB HOB NOB
• When: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2009 @ 5:30PM – 8:30PM
• Where: JACK’s FIREHOUSE, 2130 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE   click here for directions

• What should recruiters know?

• Features a casual networking twist to career fairs.  No booths.  No lines.  Talk, walk, and mingle with available professionals.
• New Job Hob Nob features 250 of Philadelphia’s  brightest job seekers.
• Admission for 3 company representatives
• Download registration packet on website, deadline to register is at noon on Friday, August 7th

What should job seekers know?

• Casual networking feel to career fair.  Say goodbye to long lines and awkward conversations through employer booths.  Walk around and mingle with other job seekers as well as your targeted employers.
• Dress to impress, and bring tons of copies of that resume.  (see my articles for resume help)
• Deadline to register is 5PM on Monday, August 10th.  See website for registration information.
• Network!  Talk to other job seekers, recruiters, and those working at the career fair and add them to your Linkedin contacts, seriously.

Click here for full information on the New Job Hob Nob!

Truth be told, Corn on the Job is on vacation this week at the Jersey Shore, but I’ve kept my friends in mind and have stumbled on some ‘mega’ career fair news to share with you.  Monster.com and Philly.com have partnered up to create what they are calling the Mega Career Fair.    Along with a link to the event website, please see of the important details I’ve outlined below:

• What: MEGA CAREER FAIR
• When: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 @ 10AM – 4PM
• Where: LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD

What should recruiters know?

• It’s reported over 5,000 candidates will attend
• Call 215-854-4140 to reserve your booth.  Deadline for reservations is 3pm on September 18

What should job seekers know?

• Free seminars offering valuable information to aid you in your job search, and career choices will be held
• The advertisements exact words are, “Scores of area recruiters will fill the amazing Lincoln Financial Field”.   With 5,000 candidates attending I’m sure this statement will hold to be true.  The event should bring a mix of different industries from the area as well.
• Bring as many resumes as possible and pass it out to whoever will take it
• Network!  Talk to other job seekers, recruiters, and those working at the career fair and add them to your Linkedin contacts, seriously.

Click here for full information on the Mega Career Fair

Philadelphia area resident, James Oley has decided to make things easier for Philadelphia job seekers.  Oley came up with an idea for an easy to use, Philadelphia area ONLY job search engine.  With those ideas in mind, Oley launched www.phillyjobfest.com sometime early in July.

Surely it will take some time for phillyjobfest to spread around the area, but both job seekers and employers should keep one, or both eyes on the search engine.  For employers, phillyjobfest most likely provides a somewhat lower cost to post job advertisements as compared to the larger sites like Careerbuilder and Monster.  For job seekers, until this search engine catches fire, you’ll be one of the few searching for employment on the new website.