The Department of Manpower Magelang is holding the biggest Job Fair in Magelang since yesterday. The job fair was held from 08:00 in the morning to 03:00 PM West Indonesian Time. There are 3.717 Job offers available, with most of the jobs related to operational work such as customer service and engineering. The target for this job fair is, of course, to reduce Magelang’s 3.52% unemployment rate.
Doubt Regarding ‘Job Fair’ System
Though the job fair is a favourable strategy for many, several people question its effectiveness in helping people find jobs. Most questions stem from the realisation that few companies are coming to recruit, since the recruitment process and requirements are highly complex.
“It is like welcoming somebody to your family; you need to make sure that you open a door for the right people. Once you make mistakes, it might trigger continuous problems.” Stated Raditya Saputra from Basagita Research regarding his opinion on why the job fair might not be the best solution for overcoming the unemployment issue.
The job fair might be the wildest talent pool that a company has. There are various profiles who come to the job fair. It is hard to check their background or to ensure that they have the necessary skills.
“I would not say this is the best way for a company to hire workers; there are many better ways for companies to hire people,” Raditya Saputra added.
The Recruitment System that is ‘better’ than the Job Fair
Companies are usually building good partnerships with the vocational schools. They have vocational schools that are reputable enough to know which talent pools are more favourable to them. Usually, vocational schools develop curricula that align with the industrial needs of the companies they work with.
Moreover, companies usually maintain a network of connections to ensure their talent pool continues to grow. This talent pool is more reliable for them to recruit workers because it includes people who meet their criteria.
Additionally, to strengthen their talent pool, internal recruitment is usually growing. People might think this system is closer to nepotism, but several companies take a different view. Recruitment based on current employees is at least more reliable than a job fair. At least, current employees have a better understanding of what kind of employees employers are looking for, and it is easier for companies to conduct background checks or at least track employees if something unexpected happens.
Why the company is still enthusiastic to go to the Job Fair
There are various reasons the companies are still attending the Job Fair. First, logically, the job fair is the best way to introduce the brand to people. Through the job fair, many people will know the company and its products. Secondly, the job fair is an opportunity to expand the talent pool. Companies might not directly hire anyone, but at least they have a larger database for future recruitment.
If the job fair is sponsored by the local government, it is also a way for the government to strengthen its relationship with the current regime. The government, which is usually elected through local elections, needs evidence that it is actually doing something to address unemployment. Meanwhile, the company wants greater ease of doing business, and to gain access, it helps the government in this way. Due to these needs, the job fair is held as part of a mutualist partnership between the two actors.
Is it wrong if the people expect something from the Job Fair?
There is nothing wrong with expecting a positive result from the job fair. Yet people should have realistic expectations. There is no guarantee that they will get a job or at least a fair opportunity. However, the candidate can learn about the various opportunities available, which skills are in demand, and, surely, a chance to at least be included in the talent pool.
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