PANAMA CITY, FL – For the 36th year running, community partners once again join together to host the premier hiring event in Bay County. The 36th Annual Bay County Job Fair features more than 60 local employers and takes place Saturday, February 4, on the campus of Florida State University Panama City. Doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. Early entry at 9 a.m. is reserved for veterans, military spouses, and transitioning active-duty service members.
Job seekers will meet with hiring managers from more than 60 employers in leisure and hospitality, retail, healthcare, government, education, construction, law enforcement, corrections, business and professional services, and more. A full list of participating employers can be found at careersourceGC.com.
Positions include full-time, part-time, and seasonal opportunities as the region prepares for Spring Break to ramp up. Many employers are expected to conduct on-the-spot interviews at the event.
“There is no better way to connect with a host of employers, all in one place than at a job fair," said Kim Bodine, Executive Director of CareerSource Gulf Coast. “Job seekers should be prepared to make that great first impression at this event as employers historically give on-the-spot interviews and even hire on-the-spot. Job seekers will be able to discover the many employers and opportunities that they may not find if they limit themselves to only online job searches and applications,”
Bodine also pointed out the number of employers that have additional benefits, incentives, bonuses, and training opportunities as they compete for talent. “This region continues to hover at a low unemployment rate with ample job openings. At the CareerSource Gulf Coast Job Center, however, we see a strong demand by already employed individuals to find better careers. Some are looking for higher wages or better benefits, and a stronger career pathway for advancement opportunities.”
CareerSource Gulf Coast offers resume writing and job search skills workshops to help jobseekers prepare for the event. Employment Specialists are also available to work one-on-one with job seekers to perfect resumes and prepare for interviews.
Along with the Job Fair, CareerSource Gulf Coast is also hosting a Suit up for Success event that continues each day until Friday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Job Center at 625 Hwy 231, Panama City. Free business attire, both new and gently used, will be distributed to help job seekers make a good first impression at the job fair, at interviews, and in their work lives. Donations were provided by the Volunteer Florida Suits for Session campaign in which legislators, their staff, and state employers donate business wear to communities in need.
Becky Samarripa, Communications Manager for CareerSource Gulf Coast, encouraged job seekers to come in before the event: “This is a wonderful opportunity for job seekers to get help with their resume, their interviewing skills and their professional wardrobe so that they are fully prepared to find their best opportunity on February 4th.”
The event is hosted by CareerSource Gulf Coast, Gulf Coast State College, Haney Technical College, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, Tyndall Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center, and Naval Support Activity Panama City Fleet & Family Support Center. Support was also provided by promotional sponsor iHeartMedia.
About CareerSource Gulf Coast
CareerSource Gulf Coast is the workforce development authority that provides services to job seekers and employers in Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties. Offices operate in all three counties. Visit www.careersourcegc.com to learn more about professional workforce development and job placement services, all offered at no charge. CareerSource Gulf Coast is a non-profit chartered by the State of Florida.
To learn more about this event and upcoming events by CareerSource Gulf Coast, please visit careersourcegc.com. To learn more about employment opportunities in Bay County, please visit EmployFlorida.com.
In compliance with the Stevens Amendment CareerSource Gulf Coast must provide percentages of total cost of programs/projects financed with federal money and non-governmental sources as well as dollar amounts of the federal funds for projects and programs. You may find this information on our website: https://careersourcegc.com/uploads/StevensAmendmentcompliance2021.pdf
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