Hundreds Come to Convention Center with Hope of a Job

WILDWOOD — A rainy Saturday morning didn’t dash the dreams of hundreds of job seekers who came to the Wildwoods Convention Center with pens and resumes in hand to meet more than 20 potential employers.
A job fair, hosted by the county’s Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, offered those looking for work a chance to fill out applications and have an on-the-spot interview with local employers.
Businesses such as Acme Markets, Morey’s Piers, Rita’s Water Ice, H&R Block, and the Acropolis Resort were there with applications.
The list of job seekers ranged from high school students looking for a summer jobs, newly graduated college students looking for that first foot in the door, to older workers who found themselves pounding the pavement after being laid off.
“I have a bachelor’s degree and I’m working at Wal-Mart,” said one attendee as he went from booth to booth searching for a job. “A college degree now days is like a high school diploma 30 years ago.”
”I worked in hotels before,” he said. “Right now I’m underemployed.”
A bad national economy in a local area that is driven by the summer tourist season is a lethal mix for those seeking full-time, year-round positions.
“Around here it’s a hard job market,” said the 48-year-old attendee. “I’m tired of collecting unemployment. I want to work.”
Nick Konides, owner of the Acropolis resort, had approximately 30 open summer positions. .
According to Konides, his North Wildwood resort needs people to fill front desk, maintenance, bartending, kitchen staff, wait staff, housekeeping and security positions.
”We’re looking for everything,” said Konides.
By 10 a.m., over 35 people had stopped by his table to fill out applications.
Ryan Ahern, 28, filled out an application for one of those positions.
“I’m looking for work,” said Ahern. “I’m unemployed at the moment and looking for work. But summer work is fine.”
Konides said as an employer, a job fair is a good way to meet perspective employees in a more casual setting.
“It’s very helpful,” said Konides. “Because more people have a chance to come out. It’s more effective than doing it on your own. People feel a little less inhibited. It’s a casual atmosphere and people are more relaxed.”
In addition to having prospective employers and employees meet one-on-one, the job fair also offered job seekers seminars to brush up on their job search tactics. Seminars such as “Those Difficult Interview Questions” and “21st Century Job Skills” were two of the five free seminars offered.
Training tables were also available for those looking for a career change. Representatives from local health care agencies along with Cape May County Technical High School were a few offering information.
Kathy Bresan, chair of the Women’s Commission, was happy with the turnout for the inaugural event. According to Bresan, over 450 people attended the fair hoping to make a connection with an employer.
“We opened at 9,” she said. “And there were 30 of 40 people standing outside waiting to get in.”