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At 23, Dominique Lancaster is a veteran of job fairs. She finds value with each one. After about two hours at last week’s Triad Careers Job Fair, Lancaster said she had had “lots of interviews.”

“They’re very useful,” said Lancaster, who was looking for a receptionist job.” You get to get up with the employers closer.”

Lancaster joined hundreds of other job seekers at the fair Wednesday at the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum.

It was the sixth job fair for Jervis Farris, 66. Farris, a former project manager who was laid off twice in recent years, said he’d gotten two interviews out of about 20 contacts with employers at job fairs.

Asked if he thought job fairs were valuable, Farris said: “I believe they are to some people.” However, he believes his age presents a special challenge. Still, “you never know,” he said.

Oscar Rodriguez, 37, just recently moved to High Point. He’s been to three job fairs and was looking for a position in computers and system sales. “I’d like to see more employers,” Oscar said, looking around the venue.

His tips for those new to job fairs: "Look around first, pick your top
choices." Interview with those companies first because you don't want to run out of time at the job fair.

Another tip: “Always come prepared,” Rodriguez said. “Have your resume and employee history all written down.”

Contact Kenwyn Caranna at 373-7004 or kenwyn.caranna@news-record.com