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Hundreds hopeful at job fair and career expo
More than 50 employers at event; some attendees hired
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Janet Lowery, an employee relations manager with ZF Wind Power, talks with applicant Shane Simmons on Wednesday. - photo by SARA GUEVARA | The Times
The job market today may be down, but inside the Georgia Mountains Center it was booming.Hundreds of people filed in and out of the center Wednesday during the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce job fair and career expo, searching for opportunities to start or better their careers.“(The expo) is very helpful because right now the job market is very, very tough,” said Elizabeth Bowers, an expo participant looking for employment. “This is a great opportunity for us.”More than 50 employers, mainly from Gainesville, Hall County and surrounding areas, set up booths, fielding questions and taking applications.Employers said the crop of applicants this year seems more prepared than in previous expos, something they attribute to the seminar leading up to the fair on how to be successful at a career expo.“I think we’re really seeing a difference in terms of how candidates are presenting themselves,” said Janet Lowery, ZF Wind Power Gainesville employee relations manager. “I think that’s had a positive impact on today.”Her company came into the expo looking to hire qualified applicants.More than 900 people attended the fair, and chamber officials say employers indicated they interviewed several qualified prospects.