March 31, 2016

SVSU sees growing interest from employers for employment fair

Saginaw Valley State University will host more than 150 employers during its spring university-wide employment fair Friday, April 1‌. The number of participating employers looking to hire SVSU students and alumni continues to rise; this year’s total eclipses last year’s fair, which drew around 130 companies and organizations and had been the highest participation since 2005.

The event, which will run from noon to 3 p.m., will be in the Curtiss Hall banquet and seminar Rooms.

Students who attend employment fairs can often find good opportunities, said Tom Barnikow, SVSU assistant director of Career Services.  

“The employment fair is a medium in which employers can meet with a large number of potential employees and gauge if the applicant is going to be a good fit for their company culture,” he said. “A good interview at an employment fair will usually lead to an in-person interview at the company's headquarters.”

Barnikow added that employment fairs serve as a great place for individuals to demonstrate that they have all the qualities employers are looking for.

“Employment fairs are the top way that companies and organizations are now hiring new employees because they want to evaluate how comfortable students are with oral communication,” he said. “As a student or soon-to-be-graduate attending an employment fair, you want to show the hiring manager that you have the ability to hold a conversation while also selling your problem solving, critical thinking and collaborative skills.”

In addition to there being employment opportunities, a professional photographer will be on-site to take portrait photos free of charge.

Last year, 83.7 percent of organizations reported follow-up with candidates they met at employment fairs, and 57 percent reported that they hired someone met through an employment fair.

Participating employers in SVSU's career fair include Covenant HealthCare, Independent Bank, Morley Companies, Nexteer Automotive and Saginaw Bay Underwriters.  A complete list is available online through the SVSU Career Services website, svsu.edu/careers.
                    
Professional attire must be worn by all job seekers. The event is open to the public. Advanced registration for SVSU students is available on Cardinal Career Network.