By: Elizabeth DiEmanuele
Originally published in the McMaster Daily News
Connect to Careers is more than just Hamilton’s largest job fair; it is a partnership dedicated to fostering connectivity between job seekers and organizations so that Hamilton continues to evolve and grow as a city. As of September 2017, Hamilton is at its lowest unemployment rate in over ten years, with 75% of those employed holding full time jobs. For Connect to Careers, this increase is no surprise given the fact that 88% of organizations attending are hiring for full time jobs.
“The City of Hamilton has identified the attraction and retention of students and young professional talent as a priority in our Economic Development Strategy,” says Norm Schleehahn, Manager of Business Development at the City of Hamilton. “To that end, we are working on a number of initiatives with the McMaster Student Success Centre and the Hamilton Hive to ensure Hamilton is the city of choice for Canada’s next generation of leaders.”
The McMaster Student Success Centre is one of many partners involved in this initiative to develop appealing opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Connect to Careers, spearheaded by a partnership with McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University College, Workforce Planning Hamilton, and the City of Hamilton, is in its fifth year, bringing in hundreds of employers interested in hiring top talent from Hamilton.
Building upon its success, this year, the Connect to Careers team is proud to present a new Hamilton Pavilion, which will offer job seekers a section at the fair to explore Hamilton businesses and organizations interested in recruiting local talent. The Hamilton Pavilion is an example of how smart collaboration between Hamilton’s leaders can help showcase the city as a place to work, live, and grow.
“More than ever before, people and relationships play a key role in the job search process,” says Gisela Oliveira, Manager of Career and Employment at the McMaster Student Success Centre. “From Connect to Careers to Innovation Factory, Hamilton Hive, and Global Hamilton Connect, Hamilton engages young professionals in dynamic and diverse opportunities to succeed in their careers.”
On Thursday, February 1, 2018, Connect to Careers will host over 130 employers interested in hiring for a diverse number of full time, part time, co-op, internship, summer job, and contract positions. From manufacturing to health care, communications, and more, there is an opportunity for all job seekers, from any Faculty who are at any stage in their search. The fair will take place between 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre, and will offer free shuttle buses to and from the fair at McMaster University, Mohawk College, and Redeemer University College.
A full list of employers with information about available jobs can be found on the Connect to Careers website. For those who are planning to attend the fair, the Connect to Careers team recommends researching these organizations in advance. The Student Success Centre will also be offering a Connect to Careers Prep Workshop on Monday, January 29, 2018; drop-in hours for resume critiques and other questions will also be available on Tuesday, January 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There will be on-site resume critiques available at Connect to Careers; it is recommended job seekers bring a few copies of their resume as well as a USB so that they can reprint their resumes if needed. Connect to Careers will also offer free LinkedIn headshots to help job seekers polish their profile before connecting with new employers.
Connect to Careers is a partnership between the McMaster Student Success Centre, Mohawk College, Redeemer University College, Workforce Planning Hamilton, and the City of Hamilton. Sponsors of the fair include: Empire Communities, Gerrie Electric Wholesale, and G&L Group.