Hundreds Attend HCC Job Fair

BRIDGEPORT -- Job hunters lined the corridors of Housatonic Community College recently for a chance to impress some 65 employers taking job applications in the Event Center in Beacon Hall.

“The employers here are either hiring or are poised to hire,” said Debra Keel, Vice President of  Operations at Career Resources, a co-sponsor of the event. “The economy is looking better: construction and housing are both picking up and, as a result, others are picking up as well.”

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, who stopped by the event, offered words of encouragement to the job seekers. “Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t get a job today,” he said. “With every ‘no’ you get, you’re getting closer to a ‘yes.” Don’t give up.”

One employer that was hiring is Family Care Visiting Nurse and Home Care Agency of Stratford. “We’re hiring nurses; occupational, physical and speech therapists; aides and office staff,” said recruiting director Vito Catalanotto of Cheshire, who added that the turnout at the event was great.

Catalanotto noted that there were two candidates in whom he was particularly interested and seized the opportunity to engage one in a second conversation.

Expressing a similar sentiment was Jim Bessmer of Cheshire, manager of the Pet Smart store in Norwalk. “We’re always looking for good people,” he said, “We have 1,300 stores in Connecticut and a couple more planned for Connecticut. We like to promote from within and we always need good candidates to backfill those positions.

Job seekers were equally as impressed with the event. “The event is pretty informative,” said former HCC student Farah Facey of Bridgeport. “I’ve found a few companies I’d like to work for and I hope I have a shot. They said to apply online.”

This is a good event,” said HCC student Daciann Walker of West Haven. “It’s well organized and I received a lot of good input. I hope to get a job from this.”

An estimated 1,000 people attended the event.