On October 4, the Hire! Philly Job and Resource Fair brought together 38 employers, 38 service providers, and hundreds of staff and volunteers in support of breaking down barriers for Philadelphians seeking pathways to opportunity.
The fair welcomed nearly 1,700 opportunity seekers and connected them to wide range of employers and resources. Jobs offers ranged from entry level positions to experienced engineering, financial services, and tech jobs to national service opportunities. Employers said that the talent pool was impressive.
The majority of employers have reported their impact from the fair. Here are the numbers:
- More than 1,025 participants were interviewed on-site
- Employers scheduled over 1,035 first round or next round interviews within the following days, and employers extended over 110 conditional job offers
- 450 attendees connected to a workforce development / job training program
- 640 attendees connected with wraparound services or received on-site resources and coaching
- 75 attendees learned more about banking and financial resources
- 300 attendees received suit jackets, blazers, and/or ties
- 100 attendees walked away with a haircuts and/or a make-up makeover
- 68 attendees worked with a LinkedIn coach for a LinkedIn profile consultation
- 116 attendees took professional headshots at the LinkedIn booth
- Hundreds of attendees worked on their resumes and completed job applications with the support of resume coaches and application station volunteers
- 140 attendees received legal consultation from professional record expungement providers
- 25 attendees received immigration consultation to support their employment needs.
Stories from the Job and Resource Fair
- Tamiera Talley, a single mother of two daughters who relocated from North Carolina was exuberant as she pursued job opportunities with several employers, including at PNC bank and PWRT Services Inc. "I'm feeling the love in Philadelphia," she said.
- Shakia Sutton, 33, who got out of prison in September after serving 12 years, sat for a makeup makeover as she prepared for filling out job applications. "I didn't think I deserved to look nice," she said.
- High school advisor Ron Sizer brought students from Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia. Eighteen of them received either job offers or promises of interviews. Some got donated suit jackets and ties. Some got haircuts from volunteer barbers brought in to give applicants a professional look.
- Mercy Morgan, 17 was overcome by her job offer at Starbucks. For her, Starbucks' debt-free college program suddenly makes a degree seem possible. Her two siblings started college but dropped out, overwhelmed by debt. "This is a great opportunity for me," she said.
About
Hire! Philly
Hire! Philly is an employer-led coalition that aims to align the assets,
interests, and advocacy of local employers to provide a united perspective on
the local workforce and connect Philadelphians to meaningful economic
opportunities.
