A job fair is a great opportunity to connect employers and job-seekers, but there are some basic steps you should consider to ensure a successful event. Job fairs give employers the opportunity to explain the requirements of job openings and discuss the company’s culture. Job-seekers have a chance to showcase their skill sets and make a good first impression. In both cases, it is a wonderful networking opportunity,  but it requires planning.

There are three main questions you need to ask yourself before scheduling the event. First, where will you host the event? You need room for employers to set up tables of information and conduct interviews as well as space for applicants to complete applications.  Second, when should the job fair be scheduled? You need to consider time of the day and days of the week. Mondays and Fridays may not be ideal because people often take time off on those days. Third, what type of marketing should be done? Think about your audience, the message you want to communicate and ways in which you can reach them.

Goodwill Career Solutions hosts weekly job fairs and hiring events across Middle and West Tennessee. Last year, Goodwill worked with more than 3,000 employer partners to place over 15,000 Tennesseans in jobs. If you are a job-seeker, check out our job fair calendar for the latest scheduled events. If you are an employer interested in hosting a job fair at one of our 28 centers, please contact George Carlson at (615) 346-1693.

Benefits of hosting a job fair with Goodwill Career Solutions:

• Free of charge
• Access to large pool of qualified, trained job candidates
• Friendly, helpful staff
• Plenty of space for meetings and private interviews
• Computer lab and Internet connection
• Free promotion on giveit2goodwill.org, grassroots efforts and more
• Support Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through education, training and employment

For more information on how Goodwill is impacting the lives of others read our 2014 Annual Report.

About Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc.

For nearly 60 years, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee has provided job training and job placement free of charge to people with disabilities or other barriers to employment through the sale of donated items. In 2015, Goodwill served 36,081 people in Middle and West Tennessee and placed 15,412 people in jobs. More information about Goodwill’s Career Solutions, retail stores and donation centers can be obtained online at www.giveit2goodwill.org or by calling 1-800-545-9231.