THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604050139
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Education
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Jovina Bryce wants a job. Bad.
She wants a job so she can have money.
Money to pay for her own groceries. Money to buy the clothes she wants from the stores she likes.
Money to take care of the tuition bill at the college of her choice. Right now, that's Harvard.
Jovina, a sophomore at Kempsville High School, took the first step toward making these plans realities, when she attended the school's Job Fair '96, a workshop designed to teach young people how to get and keep a job. The PTSA-sponsored event was sold as a follow-up to ``Career Connection,'' the citywide job fair held at Larkspur Middle School last month.
``We want to help our students with the interview process, find jobs and keep them,'' PTSA president Algus Battaglia said to the nearly 100 students, parents and community members gathered in Kempsville's cafeteria on a recent Thursday evening.
In search of part-time and summer work, the group of mostly sophomores and juniors came to gather applications from local businesses, such as Rite Aid and Little Caesars, and pick up pointers from folks in the working world - including three professionals from a local Rotary club.
Most, like 17-year-old Renita Nicholson, a junior, weren't there to be picky. ``I just want to work,'' she said, bouncing her 7-month-old baby girl, Jazmin.
During the 90-minute program, each of the four guest speakers addressed a different aspect of the job-landing process.
Kathy Ramirez, high school coordinator for ITT, kicked off her pre-interview words of wisdom by getting everyone's attention with a funky 3-D video about careers of the future.
``You've got to be dressed for the interview the day you fill out the application,'' said Ramirez, hinting at the growing popularity of the on-the-spot interview as she turned off the movie.
``Don't go in a three-piece suit,'' she said, ``but don't wear jeans . . . unless you're in Smithfield, applying at the packing plant and you're on the killing floor.''
Dressed in a navy blue blazer, white blouse and skirt and yellow sash and pumps, Ramirez emphasized the importance of preparation. Wearing the proper clothes for the job you're seeking and carrying two pens of the same color ink were two tips she shared.
She suggested students bring copies of a one-page resume when they are filling out applications, even if they have never had a job.
``How many of you have basic math skills?'' Ramirez asked. ``Who can add and subtract?'' Nearly every hand in the room went up.
``Who can operate a calculator?'' she continued. ``Who can count money?'' The hands remained in the air.
``Focus on what you've learned,'' she said. ``Don't say, `I'm just a high school student.' ''
Ramirez left the students with the end of the video and a message they are hearing more and more often: Where you end up tomorrow depends on what direction you take today.
Brenda Meadors, owner of Norrell Services, then talked about ``the interview,'' and how she sees it as a conversation between two people. ``It takes a little bit of the intimidation and the fear from it,'' she said.
Meadors came up with the acronym H.A.P.P.Y. for students to remember when they go on an interview. H.A.P.P.Y, she said, stands for handshake, appearance/attitude, poise/posture, professionalism and yourself, as in being yourself.
An interview can be a very happy experience, she added.
``I wish I would've had this when I needed to interview for a job,'' said parent Deborah Hill.
After the interview, which gets you the job, how do you go about keeping it?
Fred Joslin, administrative supervisor of First Colonial Inn with a staff of 55 employees, picked up there. He said his business has a bit of turnover and he wanted to tell students ``how not to be part of that turnover.''
He was brief and to the point, and he even brought along the inn's employee conduct policy to share.
``Show up,'' he said. ``Show up on time. Show up when you're scheduled. If you have to be out, call in.''
If you have kids and aren't able to find a baby sitter, ``that's your problem,'' he said.
Getting along with co-workers, supervisors and customers is important. ``You don't have to like them, but you do need to communicate with them,'' he said.
Joslin said he doesn't buy the idea that the customer is always right. But, ``the customer is always the customer,'' he said. ``That's something you can't forget.
``It's a lot of hard work to get a job,'' he added in closing. ``Once you get one, you want to keep it.''
Winston Wynn, who works in the field of insurance and financial planning, finished the evening with an appropriate subject: networking. He left the crowd with some pointers that are as important in everyday life as they are in the world of work.
``Don't burn too many bridges as you go along,'' he said. ``And don't make promises you can't keep.
``The easiest thing to remember,'' he added, ''is to always tell the truth.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos by HOLLY WESTER
Jovina Bryce, left, a sophomore at Kempsville High, and her cousin,
Sean Hawkins, a freshman, watch a 3-D video about careers of the
future at Kempsville High's Job Fair '96.
Katherine Spicer, left, a sophomore, and Melissa Smith, a freshman,
pick up job applications from local businesses as well as pointers
on job interviews.
by CNB