By Tami Althoff
The Oklahoman-my norman

NORMAN — More than 100 job seekers got a heads-up Monday on what kind of employment opportunities are available in Norman at the Cleveland County Career Center's first "Start Your Career Day."

"The career center serves about 900 people a month, but people are getting an advantage by having employers here today," said Lauren Clark, public relations coordinator with the Cleveland County Workforce Investment Board. "They can actually sign up for jobs today."

Job seekers attending career day found out about employment opportunities at several Norman-based companies, while employers got to meet with potential employees in a relaxed atmosphere.

"We're interested in attracting people from right here in the community who are looking for employment," Sue Nicholson of Norman Regional Hospital said. "A lot of people don't realize we have many jobs that aren't in the medical field. We want to help people to think of us as an employer when they are looking for a job."

Greg Hobbs of UPS said events like "Start Your Career Day" help companies like his find temporary help during the holidays.

"Right now, we are mainly looking for package driver help. We still need about 200 people to ride with the drivers and help deliver packages," Hobbs said. "It's an easy job, the hours are flexible, the pay is good and you get your own brown uniform."

Hobbs added many seasonal jobs turn into permanent ones.

"We try to fade them in if they are good, hard workers," he said.

Jonnina Benson of Crossroads Youth and Family Services said the career day can serve as a timesaver to both employers and employees.

"Sometimes you can see by someone's resume that they're not suited for a particular job, but they may be suited for something else you have available," she said. "If you know, for example, that a receptionist position requires insurance experience, you can share that and it keeps someone from applying for that job if they aren't qualified."

Reggie Gibson of Norman said career day was saving him time by eliminating the number of hours spent in front of the computer searching job databases.

"You get a heads-up on exactly what jobs are available," he said. "Eventually they'll want an interview, so meeting with potential employers in a less formal environment lets you introduce yourself with less pressure."

In addition to meeting with potential employers Monday, job seekers attended workshops on resume building, interviewing and job searching. They also were able to use the center's computers and job database to search for jobs, print resumes and take skills assessment tests.

Clark said the "one-stop" Cleveland County Career Center offers help to job seekers all year. The center's workers are available to help anyone in the community with resumes, online job listing services, labor market information, interviewing skills, career counseling, skills assessment, tuition and financial aid, GED preparation and more.

Candice Hyde, director of workforce development with the Cleveland County Workforce Investment Board, said anyone in the community can be listed in the employment data base or take advantage of the training services provided by the career center.

The ultimate goal of the career center is to get our local citizens back into the work force and get working citizens positions that correspond to their highest work ability," Hyde said.

Hyde said she was pleased with the turnout, and hopes to make "Start Your Career Day" an annual event.

For more information on the Cleveland County Career Center, call 701-2000, or stop by the center inside the Community Services Building, 1141 E Main St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Copyright 2006, The Oklahoma Publishing Company