April 16 Job Fair at Navy Pier Shows 50 Percent Increase in Employer Participation

There have been signs recently that the job market’s long-anticipated turnaround is beginning to happen, and the experts from the Career Center at DePaul University are seeing some of the same signals. Hiring of college graduates this spring appears to be slightly ahead of last year and on-campus recruiting is up significantly.

"What we’re seeing is much what was predicted by some national hiring experts last fall," said Karen Allen, director of the Career Center at DePaul. "The recovery in the job market is not going to be quick; it will be a slow and steady increase."

The biggest increases in hiring are coming in the areas of sales, law enforcement, government, real estate and education, Allen said. However, the information technology sector still is struggling in terms of hiring.

Despite the gains, the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) still cautions that it remains an employer’s market and that college students need to distinguish themselves with the qualities that employers say they are seeking this year. According to the NACE survey, the two most valued characteristics by employers this spring are communication skills and honesty/integrity. Trustworthiness in potential employees has been particularly sought in the wake of corporate scandals. Interpersonal skills and motivation/initiative moved up in importance in the survey this year, as well.

The news comes as the Career Center is preparing for its annual Illinois Spring Job Fair, to be held at Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom April 16, from noon to 4 p.m. Nearly 85 employers are scheduled to attend – a 50 percent jump over last year – and approximately 1,000 attendees are expected to participate. Employers will be looking for candidates for internships, entry-level and experienced-level positions. Undergraduates, graduate students and alumni will participate in this year’s fair.

A new feature at the job fair this year is the DePaul ASK (Alumni Sharing Knowledge) Oasis. At the ASK Oasis, DePaul alumni volunteers will be on hand to help job seekers with last-minute advice on interviewing, networking and which employers at the fair are the best targets for them. There also will be a small seating area for attendees who just need a moment to mentally prepare and relax before meeting with a prospective employer.

The DePaul Illinois Collegiate Spring Job Fair is open to DePaul students and alumni, as well as non-students. Pre-registration is now closed, so the day-of-event admission fee for all others is $10, payable at the door.

For more information on DePaul’s upcoming job fairs or networking events, please visit http://careercenter.depaul.edu.