Hundreds Pack FCCJ Job Fair

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Hundreds of job-seekers turned out Wednesday morning for a job fair at the downtown Jacksonville Campus.

Many of the applicants were students looking for their first job, or those coming back for a second or third career opportunity.

What no one expected was such a large turnout.

Jennifer Powell of Kelly Services took in dozens of resumes from hopeful candidates.

"The market is overflooded with a lot of applicants," said Powell, who added there are a lot of openings out there if you have the right credentials and attitude.

"A lot of mortgage, customer service, general office, clerical office administration positions," said Powell.

Job-seeker Felicia Roberts was asked what her dream job would be.

"Something clerical. Office type-job," she replied.

Marjorie Glassmire has four decade of bookkeeping experience, and she's now completing her degree to take it to the next level because of the competitive job market.

"Extremely tight. (The market is) Extremely tight!" she said.

One of the few job seekers wearing a tie, what one recruiter described as, 'dressing for success,' was Darren Crews, who is finishing his degree at UNF.

Crews knows today's contacts are only the first step. His plans after this morning?

"Following up. Going online. I just like to make that first initial contact. You know, get a face with the person with your resume!"

Insurance Executive Robert Tison agreed that one of the most important steps to landing a job is the degree of follow up after a job fair.

"It gives you an opportunity to talk to a lot of people in a short period of time. You don't interview anybody in places like this, but what you do is try to get the interest up and then have them come into the office and talk with you and visit with you about whatever opportunity they're looking for!"