WCOM NEWS

5-05-04

Hundreds turn out for Miramar job fair

MIRAMAR--About 700 people answered the call to "Follow Me to Miramar" for the city's first job fair.

Residents took their business cards and resumes on a recent Wednesday to the Miramar Civic Center to find out what opportunities the ever-expanding city has to offer.

Human Resources analyst Camasha Cevieux said she organized the event to answer the question: How can I get a job in Miramar?

Because the city is not currently hiring, commissioners wanted to help residents connect with businesses in the area, Cevieux said.

"This is the first city-driven initiative to answer a grass-roots call for job opportunities," she said.

Because of the lagging job market, there was an unbelievable response, Cevieux said. People were lined up outside the center at 9 a.m. waiting for the doors to open, she said, and the flow of people continued steadily into the afternoon.

The event featured 14 vendors from public and private businesses either based, or with a vested interest, in Miramar. The fair was split into three parts: education, coaching and application.

Visitors first encountered representatives from schools such as DeVry University, Nova Southeastern University and McFatter Technical Center. Karen Young, from Broward Community College, encouraged her visitors to use education to further job opportunities or change careers.

"Update yourself. Be more marketable," she told them.

Next, participants had the chance to get advice on their resumes or listen to seminars on job-hunting skills from employees of the city's Human Resources Career Center. Carolyn Cervantti, assistant director of Human Resources, said she looked at resumes from dozens of people with credentials ranging from a high school diploma to a Ph.D.

"Everyone loves the one-on-one personal attention," she said, estimating she spent at least 20 minutes with each person.

"I've had people come up to me and say they came in not really sure what they were looking for, but that everything has been considered."

Participants entering the last phase found vendors from large companies such as Carnival Cruise Lines and Washington Mutual as well as smaller organizations ready to accept applications. Recruiters from Spirit Airlines and Hilton Garden Inn, both of which have facilities in Miramar, said they received hundreds of applications from residents.

Broward Community College students Jonathan Angulo, 19, and William Lafaurie, 20, went looking for summer jobs that could extend into year-round ones, and were excited that the fair included Fortune 500 companies that might help them get a foot in the door.

Andre Castillo, from WillowCSN, said the Miramar-based company, which provides virtual contact center services, saw an unexpectedly good response.

"We thought because it was all local, people wouldn't be that interested," he said.

But Maria Baksh, from Interactive Response Technologies, which has offices in Miramar and Fort Lauderdale, said people just need to be made aware of local jobs.

This focus on local connections was part of the fair's appeal. "People recognize how wonderful it would be to work where they live. This is a great match opportunity: Live where you work, work where you live," Human Resources director Phil Rosenberg said.

Miramar recently began a Human Resources Outreach Initiative to improve the city's relationship with the community. Part of that effort includes educating students and adults alike on potential careers available in the area and city government.

"The city has grown as never before, and with all these new individuals, what better lead could a city take but to show what is available to them," Cervantti said.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Meredith Polley) 5-05-05