City-Driven Job Fair Exceeds Expectations

Marlborough, MA, June 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- More than 500 job seekers submitted their résumés and spoke directly with hiring decision-makers about career opportunities at the “Marlborough Works!” Job Fair on Wednesday, June 13, at the Courtyard Marriott in Marlborough. Developed by the mayor’s office, the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation and Quinsigamond Community College, the event was the first of its kind for the city.

The event was free for job candidates and the more than 30 companies that participated. Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant said he is not aware of any other municipality that has run a job fair. The event was put together to help companies that do business in Marlborough find new talented employees and assist area residents who have been struggling to find work during the sluggish economy. “The feedback I have heard from both residents and companies has been tremendous,” Mayor Vigeant said. “Our goal is to get Marlborough residents back to work with local companies, and I look forward to hearing about some of the success stories that come from this initiative.”

Networking is still the most effective way to find employment, according to Quinsigamond officials. The Job Fair gave job seekers an opportunity to that by meeting one-on-one with recruiters to market their skills and get to know companies that have offices or stores in Marlborough, including Boston Scientific, Raytheon, Marlborough Hospital, Ken’s Foods, and Home Depot. The positions varied from trade jobs to engineering roles.

Mayor Vigeant was inspired to put a job fair together following his initial outreach to the business community at the start of his term earlier this year. While he was eager to organize the event quickly, he credits Marlborough City Council President Patricia Pope with setting the mid-June date for the event so that recent college graduates could attend as well. As a result, attendance exceeded expectations, and the event attracted residents who are in various stages of their job search. “Some of the people here are already employed and are looking for a new job,” remarked Pope, who is also a member of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors.

In addition to the job fair, the “Marlborough Works!” initiative included the Professional Résumé and Interview Workshop, which more than 40 people attended in May. Mayor Vigeant has said these recent events serve as a resource to local businesses as part of Marlborough’s ongoing effort to encourage them to stay in the city and to attract new companies to the city as well.

About Marlborough Economic Development Corporation: MEDC is the state-chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, Massachusetts, working to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization and development in the city.