March Hire Results for Businesses

Need people?
Find them with Jefferson County Workforce Center’s Job Fairs and Hiring Events

One Size Does not Fit All

Businesses, like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Some have lots of needs and a variety of job openings while others have very specific needs for a small range of positions. During the first quarter of 2008, we helped both types
of businesses.

No luck needed – Customized Hiring Event for Fitzgeralds Casino

While luck might be needed for patrons of Fitzgeralds Casino in Black Hawk, its human resources department can rely on the Business Services team of the Jefferson County Workforce Center to find qualified applicants. With employment needs ranging from dealers to waitstaff and bussers, Fitzgeralds seeks a wide range of applicants who not only have the skills, but also have the desire to work “on the hill.”

During the months of January and February, Fitzgeralds held two Hiring Events at the Jefferson County Workforce Center in Golden, Colorado. Each event was well attended by close to 40 applicants. Of those that applied, Fitzgeralds estimates that they we able to hire four to five people each time. The time spent screening applicants prior to the Hiring Event, as well as the on-site screening, allowed Fitzgeralds to focus in on the right type of candidates
very quickly.

When asked why they choose to do a Hiring Event, Fitzgeralds’ HR representatives do not hesitate to answer – it’s about making the most of their limited recruiting dollars. One of the representatives explained that the cost of one classified ad in either the Rocky Mountain News or The Denver Post runs over $1,000. A Hiring Event costs much less and is targeted. In addition, the event gives Fitzgeralds the opportunity to conveniently recruit in the
metro area.

Finally, the people from Fitzgeralds appreciate the personalized service they receive while holding their Hiring Events. From the lunch brought in for the recruiters to the on-site event coordinator, the HR representatives from Fitzgeralds have been very pleased with the value they receive by investing in a Hiring Event. As winter turns to spring, Fitzgeralds plans to hold more Hiring Events in anticipation of the opening of their new casino in late spring -
early summer.

Got people? Job Fairs can help you find them….fast

Sometimes a business has a wide range of needs for an equally wide variety of positions. Participation in a job fair sponsored by the Jefferson County Workforce Center can help fill the need. A job fair differs from a Hiring Event in that many businesses participate and either a particular industry or type of job seeker is featured.

On March 4, close to 100 businesses came together at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to mine one of our most valuable resources – our youth. Approximately 900 eager youth job seekers attended the 2008 Youth Job Fair and Career Expo. Many of the businesses in attendance such as Heritage Square’s Fish and Farm and Lakeside Amusement Park return each year because the job fair offers a low cost way to find the youth they need to fill various positions, especially summer employment

One of the newest participants – Mr. Biggs of Littleton (formerly Fat City) - found out about the fair in Your Hub and called to see if they could participate at the last minute. They realized right away what a great opportunity this was to screen many youth applicants in a short period of time. Youth job seekers were excited about the chance to work at this new amusement center in
south Jeffco.

While the job fair is a great opportunity to recruit employees, it is also a great networking and advertising opportunity. Many businesses network with one another while taking breaks between waves of job seekers. In addition, by handing out promotional items to job seekers, business are also increasing their visibility in the community and gaining new customers.

The Youth Job Fair was the first of three major job fairs being sponsored by the Jefferson County Workforce Center in 2008. Our next big event is the Job Fair for Boomers on April 22, 2008. Last year, this event drew over 2,000 qualified boomer job seekers. Boomers offer a great mix of experience, reliability, and versatility. Many businesses understand the value of boomer job seekers and seize the chance to participate in this event. Tables are available now so call Larry Brown at 303-271-4730 or email him at: lbrown@jeffco.us to reserve your spot today.

Finally, for casinos in Black Hawk and Central City, we will be holding the Casino Job Fair on May 13, 2008. This event is a great opportunity for this very specific industry to find the right employees. The event features an opening speaker and the chance to network with other casinos. Tables are available now so call Larry Brown at 303-271-4730 or email him at: lbrown@jeffco.us to reserve your spot today.

All our Job Fairs are held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, which is a large venue that is easily accessible and has lots of parking. By signing on as a participant in any of our Job Fairs, businesses are accessing a full service event where details such as promotion, lunch, and some of the set up are handled by the Workforce Center staff. The day of the event, businesses
can focus their attention on what matters – finding qualified
prospective employees.