Lodi Chamber to host job fair
After the success of its sidewalk job fair, the Lodi Chamber of Commerce will be hosting another job fair on March 8 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Merlot.
“We’re all about helping people find jobs, and we have members who do that and members who are looking for people,” Chamber President Pat Patrick said. “Anything we can do to facilitate a person that is trying to find work and has skills and there is a company that needs somebody with those skills then we certainly need to facilitate that.”
According to Chamber Membership Director Marina Narvarte, the event sponsored exclusively by Blue Ribbon Personal services will have several leading staffing agencies along with major local businesses in attendance including C&H Financial Services, Express Employee, Tree House Foods, Wine and Roses, F&M Bank, Star Staffing, Tiger Lines and many others. “They are ready to hire,” Narvarte said. Narvarte said there will be a broad range of jobs available at the job fair with businesses looking for a variety of positions. Wine and Roses will be looking to fill everything from administrative to housekeeping positions, Narvarte said. Staffing agencies could have openings in anything from electrician, farmers and sales, Narvarte said. Tree House may be looking to fill openings for jobs in production, she said.
“We want to continue to help the people in the community to get the career that they wish to have,” Narvarte said. “Whenever we can help our businesses in town and surrounding areas find the perfect candidate for the position, that’s a feel-good moment.”
Narvarte advises those attending the fair to dress in business casual attire and bring plenty of resumes to hand to employers.
Narvarte encourages those planning to attend the fair to be ready and willing to share their expertise.
“You never know some of these employers might be hiring on the spot,” Narvarte said. “Come prepared to find the career that you’ve been looking for. Be true to yourself.”
Narvarte will also be collecting resumes to keep in her records so when she gets calls or emails from chamber members looking to fill positions, she can recommend potential candidates and send their resumes to them.
All resumes will be reviewed by the employers at the job fair and if they find potential candidates they will contact them directly.
Narvarte anticipates there will be over 100 jobs available at the fair. According to Narvarte, a little over 100 people attended the September job fair and about 10 percent of those people were able to secure employment. She is hoping for the numbers to be even higher this time around.
Also at the job fair, California Human Development and Worknet will be available to assist with resume development and provide any other assistance to job seekers.
According to Narvarte, both chamber members and non-chamber members are welcomed to have booths at the fair. Booths are $50 and those looking to get a booth can contact Narvarte at 209-367-7840 or email her at MNarvarte@lodichamber.com
For those who can’t make it on March 8, there is no need to worry. The chamber plans to hold two job fairs every year one in March and one in the fall.