Hundreds show for Elmont job fair

By Matt Hampton

Hundreds of residents in search of employment — many from outside the area — came to the Elmont Library for a job fair on May 5.

The library, in conjunction with HempsteadWorks and the New York State Department of Labor, brought job seekers together with a handful of employers, hoping to facilitate at least a handful of matches. According to library officials, the event seemed destined for success before it even got started.

“People were lined up out the door since 9 [a.m.],” said Library Director Maggie Gough. “We have a lot of things here to help people, and hopefully it works out.”

Gough and library board Trustee Joanne Mazzeo said the gathering was the first of what they hoped would be a series of events to help people from the community who have lost jobs in the recession get back on their feet. Gough explained that over the next few months, the library will put together a career counseling center overseen by at least one staff member.

“This is really good for the community, and we’re working really hard on expanding on it,” she said.

For employers, the fair was an opportunity to get a feel for potential employees in a more personal way than by fielding responses to want ads. “It’s easier to be face to face with somebody, and explain things and get a feel for people,” said Gayatri Dubey of Independence Residences Inc., a company that pairs community support workers with people with disabilities. The company, based in Queens, spends a lot of time at job fairs.

“We’re always looking for more staff, because we have a lot of young adults and have turnover,” Dubey said. “We do a lot of our recruiting here on Long Island.”

Asked what advice she would give job seekers at the fair and others like it, Dubey said that the most important thing is to try to make a good first impression. “Be prepared for what companies might be looking for,” she said. “Never say, ‘I don’t know’ to a question. Always try your best to put your best foot forward.”

For those in attendance, the event was a beacon of hope in their quest to find jobs in a difficult economy. Michael Thomas, 26, came all the way from the Bronx to see what was available. “Unfortunately, mine is a pretty typical story,” Thomas said. “I got laid off back in February from my job at Capital One Bank, and since then I’ve been looking for something.”

Thomas, wearing a suit and tie and armed with copies of his resume, looked like he was prepared to walk right into a job interview. He wasn’t alone. Dozens of people at the event appeared ready to start work immediately. Thomas said his three-plus months of unemployment have made him anxious to get back into the work force as quickly as possible.

“I’m trying to keep my options open to everything,” he said. “Insurance, accounts payable and receivable, anything where I can get my hands on it, learn it.”

Ideally, Thomas admitted, he would like to land in a career that allows him to work with people. Spending his days hunched over a computer screen, he said, is not for him.

“I’d love to do something where I can be around people, maybe even walking around outside, knocking on doors,” he said. “I’ve tried the cubicle thing — that ain’t it for me.”

Comments about this story? MHampton@

liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.