From car dealers and chicken plants to hospitals and police departments, a job fair set for Thursday at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center is shaping up to be a major draw for those seeking a new career.
More than 40 companies, colleges and support agencies are scheduled to be on hand for the 9 a.m.-2 p.m. event that is being sponsored by Clear Channel Radio. The Georgia Department of Labor is helping with the fair, in its ninth year.
The job fair comes with the Columbus metro area unemployment rate hitting 8.9 percent in December, up slightly from the month before. Georgia’s rate is 9.7 percent.
Some companies attending the fair next week will be hiring, the labor department said, while others will simply be networking with job seekers for future openings.
The best strategy, according to the department, is to bring plenty of resumes and be ready to conduct on-the-spot interviews and fill out applications.
It also doesn’t hurt to dress for success.
Here are the businesses and other entities scheduled to be at the fair:
Aaron’s Sales and Lease
Accounting Principals
Aflac
Afni
Alabama Department of Labor
Alatrade Foods
Carl Gregory Enterprises
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Civilian Personnel Office (Fort Benning)
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Columbus Fire and Medical Services
Columbus Police Department
Columbus Technical College
Columbus Water Works
Georgia Driving Academy
Georgia Military College
Global Diagnostic Services
Global Personnel Services
Go Small Biz
Golden’s Foundry and Machine Co.
Gwinnett County Police Department
Iljin Alabama
Jack Hughston Memorial Hospital
L-3 Display Systems
Miller-Motte Technical College
RLM Communications
Schlumberger
Snyder’s Lance
Staffing Connections
Strayer University
The Hughston Clinic
TIC Federal Credit Union
TSYS (Total System Services)
Troy University
University of Phoenix
Virginia College
Walden University
WellCare of Georgia
Wells Fargo Bank
West Central Georgia Regional Hospital
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The job fair scheduled 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday is at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center, 801 Front Ave. Free parking should be available in an adjoining parking deck, although attendees often park on the street near the center. But check any parking signs and be wary of time limits to avoid tickets. For more information, contact the Georgia Department of Labor's Columbus Career Center at 706-649-7423.
