Norton Job Fair Draws over 2,500 D.C. Residents for One-Stop Job Shopping

WASHINGTON, DC - The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that over 2,500 District of Columbia residents came to Norton's Job Fair today, which featured more than 80 employers with federal, state, county, local and private-sector jobs, as well as information and insight into the job market for recent graduates at workshops that ran throughout the day. In addition to the job fair, a multitude of services were available to residents, including a HIV/AIDS mobile testing unit, a dress for success fashion show, and workshops with tips on federal jobs available despite the sequester, on top job openings in the region, and on resume writing and interviewing in today's job market. The workshops, which could each accommodate roughly 400 people, reached capacity all day and gave D.C. residents a valuable precursor to the employer booths, and available jobs and information on how to get them.

"D.C. residents began lining up nearly two hours before the job fair even began," said Norton. "Despite the sequester's effect on the regional economy, job-seeking D.C. residents seemed delighted to find job representatives whom they did not expect. For example, the U.S. Postal Service, which has been hit hard in the tough economy, set up shop, looking for applicants. Even federal agencies cutting back on spending, and in some cases, cutting jobs, came with job openings or important information about applying for federal jobs, because some replacements will be necessary. I walked the job fair to thank the many employers from the city and region that participated today."

The job fair began at 10:00 a.m. with opening remarks from Norton, followed by workshops, and from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. employer representatives spoke one-on-one with D.C. residents, a rarity today in light of internet applications for employment.

Published: August 21, 2013