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A sign of the times: Hundreds line up for Baltimore career fair
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“If I can have everything in one spot it makes it even better,” says Chanea Williams, 24, of Baltimore City, right, of what she likes about the career fair at the Baltimore Convention Center on Wednesday as she reads over a job application. About 400 people were on hand when the doors opened at the job fair Wednesday. – Arianne Starnes/Examiner
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - About 400 people waited for the doors to open at The Employment Guide’s Job Fair on Wednesday at the Baltimore Convention Center.
A sign of the times, said Howard Kershner, general manager of The Employment Guide in Baltimore. “There’s a lot of demand for work right now.”
The Baltimore area’s jobless rate remained relatively unchanged in February, slipping to 3.9 percent from 4 percent in January, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The region’s rate was 3.6 percent in December.
The national unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in February, when the Labor Department reported the U.S. economy lost 63,000 payroll jobs in the month.
About 35 companies — offering health care, administrative, hospitality, sales and security positions — set up information stands for the steady flow of job-hunters for four hours Wednesday. Avon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union and the Maryland Transit Administration were among the employers present. The fair was free.
“It’s been pretty steady all day,” Kershner said, noting that other area job fairs decided against organizing events this year. “The employers need people, but having the funds to go out and recruit people is a different story.”
Rick Ice and Tracy Johnson, employment managers for DavCo, talked to people who thought about applying for manager, cashier and crew member positions at area Wendy’s restaurants. DavCo owns 157 Wendy’s locations in the Baltimore and Washington markets.
“You’re getting a lot more people,” Ice said. “Call it whatever you want — cutbacks, layoffs, staff reductions — these job fairs offer a lot of opportunities.”
Ice said he’s done well in recruiting employees at Baltimore job fairs, but he’s noticed some changes in the profile of applicants.
“You’re getting a lot of people who used to be in the food-service industry, then they went off to the real estate or banking field,” Ice said. “Things didn’t go so well for them, and now they’re coming back to food, which they know.”
acannarsa@baltimoreexaminer.com
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Examiner Reader said:
You know, if your employee has low morale or does not like his job, they should leave, fire them, there are thousands of people looking for these good paying/benefit government jobs. You think adding 2 hours to a 8 hour day is going to get more done. No so, not in government, less work for more pay. They will playing games on the computer watching the clock to head home. If you would check you computers and dump everyone that has played a game, you would not have anyone working for the County. Next they will want a long lunch hour, more breaks because they have to work 2 more hours. Makes me sick to know they have low morale. QUIT YOUR JOB then.
1 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Well if the auditor's office is involved expect that report promptly in about 4 years.
13 agree | 3 disagree
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Baltimore said:
Big 20% raise for baltimore workers.Why don't they just stay home!
3 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the American corporations and businesses seeking higher profit margins for themselves lead to the loss of Jobs to China. I'm having difficulty naming 1 Chinese product or brand in the US market. The only solution is to bring these jobs back to America and have American workers get paid 0.40 cents an hour. This would be a win-win situation: corporations and manufacturers can continue making profits and American people can have jobs. Americans need to sacrifice for the greater good of American businesses.
3 agree | 6 disagree
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BuddyDuh said:
Yes, but I mean Why? With all that money there are why someone want to keep on paying low salaries anyway? If this is not some kind of modernisized slavery in camoflaging style? That is not acceptable specially talking about this great nation of the USA plus many more super rich countries from around the world. Is time to become fair with labor workers peoples. Left have some dignity by share money resources between the 'Modern Slavery Poors' system and break even. Why Not?
9 agree | 7 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Please note- Liz Rockey has already started a new position as a graphic artist, just days after her graduation. VJC has been highly successful in its career placement, with 98% of its students starting jobs in in their field within 6 months of graduation. The 10 year rate is 96%, even in difficult employment times.
15 agree | 14 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Currently, 94.9 percent of those who desire to work are employed. The news is GOOD for recent college grads. Sure, if you chose to major in African Studies or Art History, your choices are somewhat limited. One thing, though. If your went to a Baltimore City Public High School, you may want to down-play that on your resume. Good luck, Grads! Remember, Uncle Sam and his cousin MARY land get 35% off the top. Oh yes, I almost forgot...MD sales tax is another 6%. If you have to register your car, remember thats another 128.00 (or 180 for suv). Both milk and gas are 4.00 a gallon, so budget accordingly. Welcome aboard.
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Examiner Reader said:
As usual, thousands of seniors graduate this month from Maryland universities, and like those before them will deal with the rewards of a free market economy. Some graduates will find that they majored in a field that has little practical value in the real world. They may be forced to take jobs in another field, teach, or work in government. No matter, each graduate will forced to find his way for better or worse. Some will whine and fail, others will persevere and succeed. It’s an individual choice that separates the wheat from the chaff.
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Examiner Reader said:
Hello, I'm writing because I'm asking for help for job and school opportunities for my ex con friend, thankyou.
487 agree | 295 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
They are called “discouraged workers” — experienced workers who have walked away from the job market, discouraged by low-paying jobs.
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Examiner Reader said:
Re: Cabinet leaders confirm more layoffs, FYI to readers...at the Department of Business & Economic Development, all the lay-offs WERE EHRLICH APPOINTEES who had excellent yearly evaluations. What does that tell you?
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Examiner Reader said:
Summer jobs and even part-time jobs during the school year are so important for teens! Work ethic is strengthened, confidence in working with the public is established - all of these traits that will benefit them in the future.
439 agree | 381 disagree
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King said:
Baltimore is a broken city. It's that simple. High taxes - High Crime, Bad Roads, Bad Schools Expensive Housing - No well paying jobs High Gas Prices - NO Good Public Transit. B-R-O-K-E-N
424 agree | 390 disagree
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Dear Acme said:
If you spent over $100,000 or more on your education, sorry chick, but Acme ain't cutting it! Those low wages won't even pay interest on the principal, let alone keep the lights on, food on the table and a roof over your head. It is unfortunate that people have to eke out a living on those wages. Criminal is more the word.
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Karl Chue said:
The 41% wage increase will result in a 35% job loss for young blacks, teenagers and high school dropouts. Please remember to thank the Democrats for looking out for young blacks, making the future brighter for teenagers and providing opportunities for high school dropouts. With such great job prospects, young blacks will easily be encouraged to not go down the path of drugs and gangs.
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Examiner Reader said:
We are understaffed but we have always had that sign at ACME even pre-katrina. Research before you write. Sincerly, waitress at ACME
603 agree | 412 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
There is no doubt that Baltimore County's workforce is growing older. We have known for some time now that the Baby Boomers are at or nearing that golden time of retirement. Many in todays workforce may be eligible for retirement in five years. Except for the general employees of the Baltimore County Government, many of whom, are in both skilled and unskilled laborers jobs at agencies such as the Dept. of Public Works or Recreation & Parks. Workers whom make sure our sewers don't back up, the traffic signals function properly, the roads stay in good shape, or the park grounds stay neatly mowed. The County Administration is working hard to get their own employees to work until they just drop dead. After all then they won't have to pay out all those Other Post Employment Retirement Benefits such as health care.
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