Central CT Chambers Of Commerce Is Taking Registration For Virtual Job Fair

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

October 22, 2021

The Central CT Chambers of Commerce is taking registration now for a virtual job fair Nov. 16 in which employers can create digital avatars and customizable booths in a virtual space like a video game.

Job seekers will also be able to create avatars in order to go from booth to booth and chat with them.

The virtual job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Employers who register will receive a link along with instructions on how to set up a virtual booth. They will also be invited to a training session Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. in which the company providing the digital platform, Premier Virtual of New Jersey, will walk people through how to use it.

Katie D’Agostino, vice president of marketing and operations at the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, said that the Job Fair will have more than 50 vendors and is open to any industry and any employer that needs to hire.

“We have heard loud and clear from Chamber members and the community that there still are very many job positions open that people are really looking to fill,” said D’Agostino. “This virtual job fair allows job seekers to see dozens of employers and potentially get on the spot interviews without having to leave the comfort of home. For employers, it means that they don’t have to take their HR staff out to an event; they just need to keep a virtual booth open. It’s a win/win for everyone.”

D’Agostino said that the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce had held a similar virtual job fair a few months ago and “raved” about how successful it was. She said that it represented a “happy medium” that would allow for many employers to connect with job seekers without having a large, in-person event.

“It’s a very cool idea and a very intuitive and user-friendly interface,” she said. “Like in past years, we expect this job fair to be pretty well-attended. But, while in the past when we’ve done in-person job fairs, potential job seekers could just show up, it’s imperative for this that people register to attend. That way, we can send them information on how to set up their profiles and visit the booths.”

D’Agostino said that the Virtual Job Fair will look almost like a video game. Employers will be able to set up and customize their booths as well as their avatars. There is also a chat feature.

“Employers looking to hire, when they set up their booth, can also determine if they want applicants to send in resumes ahead of time,” said D’Agostino. “That way, when they come to their booths, they can have an on the spot interview. They can do this with chat or they can set up their own Zoom links, but everything is meant to be held through the platform. It’s a one-stop-shop for not only the employer but also the prospective employee.”

TD Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Virtual Job Fair, which is also sponsored by Explore Farmington.

Registration for employers is $150 for chamber members or $250 for non-members.

To register, visit centralctchambers.org or call 860-584-4718.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.