Job Fairs...nothing like a regular fair

Taking another week to break from Job Interviews this week I am talking about all the job fairs I can remember going to in details or what not's. Here we go...

1. My first job fair I recall was the one that got me my first retail job. It was 1998 I was barely out of high school a few months and looking for work. The Block of Orange was opening up and held a job fair in the hotel near our house. It was a job fair just for the block sure not all kinds of jobs but still it was one and I had lots of interviews. I dropped of my resume (With only 2 jobs before me neither retail...). I talked to the pizza place, corner bakery, toys international, borders books and I'm sure a few more. Maybe even AMC unsure. It happened in I believe September 1998 in Anaheim, CA.

2. I cant recall going to Job Fairs while I lived in Orange County except for one that I dragged my sister to. It was around time I was in college or just out of it. So this one was between 2000 & 2005. It was at the stadium in Anaheim. I recall I didn't really get much out of it but some free items. You got to admit job fairs are great for free pencils, pens, notepads, etc as companies are dying to give you reminders of them for FREE just for showing up!

3. I did one more job fair I can recall in Orange County. I was fresh out of college. I remember I went up to some companies telling them I had a degree. I got the information for a news station in LA because I wanted to move there. I took their card and they promised to keep my resume on file. I cant recall when or where it took place just that detail.

4. Almost went to a job fair in Franklin, TN. Me and my sister had gathered some resumes up and were outside the building in a hotel. When some people came out and told us there was no point. We went in anyways they were right. Very few companies. But managed to get some free stuff including something free from Wendy's which was there looking for new workers.

5. My favorite job fair was in Mesa, AZ. I went for a broadcasting one. The reason I loved it wasn't that I walked away with a job. It was mostly broadcast companies tv and radio looking for interns some for jobs. I did apply for some. But it gave me the push to ask CSB if I could try again for an internship and they told me yes! If I hadn't gone to that I wouldn't have done that and wouldn't have interned in Summer 2011.

6. Went to a job fair in Mesa, AZ. This one I did alone. I rode the bus and the light rail the Mesa Library. I only ever saw downtown Mesa and that library one more time. This was the only time I saw the library. It was upstairs. I gathered with people and walked around. I got some free stuff. And some odd looks. Unlike in CA they wanted me to have more than just "retail customer service" for their jobs even the temp places. A bit discouraged I took my free stuff and left quickly.

7. My favorite AZ Job Fair ever was the one that we went to me and my sister middle of Summer in 2011. It gave me hope. I came away with lots of jobs to try for (and I made a HUGE effort to try for all kinds of jobs). But tons of free stuff lots of free pens and other things. Free coffee from Dunkin Donuts & Starbucks. I swear it was the best ever. Was exhausting. I never got a job out of it. I got close with a temp agency but they blew me off eventually. But still best job fair ever!

There ya go! I cant recall if I had any other job fairs over the years. But this is all I could recall. Back to regular job interview blog next weekend!

Claire's...

Claire's is one of those places I wanted to work at but was unsure because they pierce ears and I was always wondering if I would be okay being trained for this since everyone has to do it...

1. My first time interviewing with them was right here in our area at the Claire's in the Carlsbad Mall. The manager really liked me to the point that I think she was going to hire me. I was scared of the gun and because of that I didn't answer her call when she called me back. If I had who knows because I was almost positive this was a winner job interview!

2. I interviewed for the Claire's at our mall in Chandler AZ. The manager was a nice person and who knows if I would have gotten it. Had I been more confident telling her I was okay with jumping people who would be stealing till security came. Yeah that was a question. They get lots of people stealing and if I caught someone I was to keep them there till security came. "Are you comfortable with this..." um. Plus my A.D.D. was in over drive and I kept getting distracted by things since we was sitting in the mall by a store that seemed more interesting. Either way the job never happened for me...

Unsure if I have done any more interviews with the company I cant recall. Also I do continue to apply for jobs with the company knowing the whole ear thing I will try to be okay if ever given the chance to work with them...

Build a Bear...Or some other *animal*

Build a Bear is one of those stores I WANT to work at badly as I love buying stuff from them and know I would again and again. But I cant seem to get a job there like they are the forbidden treasure. I am unsure if I will ever get a job with them. But I have tried a lot over the years...

1. My first time trying for a job with them was at Build a Bear in Downtown Disney. I had just begun to work at Lego Store and they were not giving me enough hours so I was trying for a second job. I didn't think it would be bad. It was a large group interview of about 10 or more people. We gathered in the second story for our questions and got a heart at the end (the kind that goes in each animal I still have it). But sadly they did not take me on.

2. I tried for a job again with BAB when I was in TN. It was at the Coolspring Galleria in Franklin. I was trying for a regular job not a seasonal job. And they were hiring the Spring. I was so excited for the chance again. After all I had purchased two monkeys from them and really loved the store in general. Another group one but not as large. I sadly checked back a few weeks later and they had decided to not take anyone on for some reason they claimed I cant recall why.

3. My last time trying for the company was in Scottsdale, AZ. It was at the Scottsdale mall. Which was a large 3 story mall in the middle of the downtown area. I went there at Christmas time when my job at Bath & Body had stopped giving me hours and I needed a second job. It was a small group interview that we did on the bottom floor going down two sets to get there. There were about 3 of us there or maybe 4. Sadly they called me that night to tell me that I did not get hired on. Made me really sad.

Back in this area I am unsure if I will ever get a job at BAB. Only 2 malls have this store out here and app's are now done online. Neither are hiring. I wont stop going to the store sometimes to get a new plush monkey. But sadly it may be I will never work for one of the few companies I love so much but cant get a job with...