That is the case for Virginia, a student from Zaragoza who has just completed her theatre degree and is looking to enter the job market for the first time. “I’m looking to enter the workforce now that I’ve finished my degree, start working and seek the independence that I think every young person wants,” she explains.
TALKING TO COMPANIES “FACE TO FACE”
Although her academic background is linked to the performing arts, Virginia is clear that her skills can fit in other fields. She plans to leave her CV at shops and apply for sales assistant or customer service positions, drawing on the experience of dealing with people that theatre has given her. “My degree is somewhat related to theatre, but also to customer service and dealing with people,” she points out.
For her, one of the advantages of a fair that brings hundreds of vacancies together in one place is being able to speak directly with those doing the hiring. “On websites like InfoJobs, you end up sending out CVs, but you don’t see the company or speak directly to them,” she explains. Here, she adds, candidates can learn more about the opportunities and present their profile in person.
That contact can also open up possibilities that were not initially expected. “Some companies tell you that it may not be exactly your profile, but that you can submit your CV because they might find something that suits you later on,” Virginia says. That is why she considers it particularly useful to be able to “talk to companies directly, face to face”.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AND NEW SECTORS
Rubén Bardina arrived in a different situation, looking to find out what offers are available among the nearly 700 positions at the fair. His first option is to find something related to livestock, a sector in which he has already worked, although he is willing to explore other possibilities. “I saw that the Navy is also here, which would interest me too,” he acknowledges.
Rubén had not attended this event before either and arrived without really knowing what he would find. “It’s the first time. Seeing so many people, I don’t know how many opportunities there will be. I’ve come to look,” he explains. He learned about the fair through his mother, who insisted that he attend. “She wouldn’t let it go, and in the end here we are,” he says with a laugh.
This is also Nicolás’s first experience at a job fair. He had arrived in Zaragoza just a day earlier. He is looking for work as an aide or assistant and hopes that one of the available offers can become his first professional experience. “There are a lot of expectations, and hopefully I can achieve it as soon as possible,” he says.
THE SEARCH FOR A FIRST JOB
Nicolás learned about the fair because he studies nearby and because his university also promoted it. Faced with a job market he sees as challenging, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to find dozens of companies in the same venue. “I told myself I had to make the most of it. I came to see what the jobs were like and how things were,” he explains.
The range of positions on offer includes technical and vocational training profiles, university graduates, logistics and hospitality workers, as well as jobs in industry, administration, IT and social and healthcare services. Special employment centres and organizations focused on helping groups facing greater difficulties enter the workforce are also taking part.
The fair is being held for the second time this year after the March edition attracted nearly 4,000 visitors. Industry, construction, logistics, hospitality, retail, healthcare, education, technology and services are among the sectors represented. Of the 80 participating organizations, 31 are attending for the first time and 49 are returning.
