Cyprus – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Organizes Its Most Successful Job Fair

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce No Comments

Cyprus – U.S. Chamber of Commerce Organizes Its Most Successful Job Fair

April 4, 2011 by Greek News

New York.- By Apostolos Zoupaniotis

The Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce held on Thursday its 8th Annual Job Fair at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City, in cooperation with Cypriot Youth Committee of America (CYCA), Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals (HACC YP), Hellenic Organization of University Graduates of America (HOUGA), Hellenic American Bankers Association (HABA) and the American Hellenic Institute – New York Chapter (AHINYC).

The event was described by the organizers as the most successful, attracting 32 companies and many Young Greek American young professionals and students, seeking job opportunities and internships.

The events high light was a seminar by Maggie Stavrianidis, Director of Human Resources, Johnson & Johnson, on job interviews and resume preparation.

Dennis Droushiotis, President of the Cyprus-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, characterized the 8th Annual Career Fair as one of the most participated. He attributed the much bigger participation to the partners’ efforts.

“They reached out to the universities, professional organizations etc; because it’s more widely known this year and because we have more companies participating. We have over 32 companies registered in order to provide career opportunities and internships to our Hellenic Students and to the Hellenic Americans seeking jobs. We have important Greek American and pure American companies from a variety of business sectors that are looking to offer opportunities to our community members”.

Droushiotis pointed out that the chamber does that as a community service.

“We do not charge neither the companies to participate and find applicants or the visitors. I want to thank all our partners and we are hoping to do it in the future twice a year, with the cooperation of other professional organizations, widening the spectrum of the fair. We hope to be able to help our community by creating jobs through a network of businesses that are willing to help.”

Former President of the board of Directors, Peter Kakoyiannis, said the Job Fair gets bigger and better every year.
“We have more companies and individuals attending. What that keeps telling us is if you ask from the community they will come back and give. They are giving not just in dollars, but through the opportunities they are presenting to the youth. That makes the circle close. So, when these individuals achieve a job status and they have their own companies sitting here 5-10 years from now, it reinforces and reaffirms that what we have started is in the right direction.”

Andy Comodromos, the Chamber’s Chairman, attributed the success to the economy.

“Of course the chamber reached out to more organizations and at the same time the event is becoming more known to the Community. But the biggest reason is the economy. Unemployment is high and many young people are seeking jobs.”
Comodromos stressed the importance of giving back to the community and helping the younger generation. At the same time the Chamber is trying to reach out to the young business people, helping thus creating the future leadership of the community.

Stacey Camilaris said the members of her organization participate in the Job Fair because it’s an opportunity.

“CyCA is for young professionals in the workforce and now it’s hard to get a job. We encourage young Cypriots to join CyCA. It’s like a cycle. We help the community and the community helps us.

We participate in this event, so to show that we care and to show our members we are here to help.”

The President of CyCa described the job market extremely tough and it took her over a year to find a job. “Because of the economy people are not so lenient anymore so sometimes we have to depend in our Greek Community for help. We have to reach out. There are a lot of jobs out there, but it’s just hard to find. We give our jobless members and other seeking different jobs the opportunity to meet people they can connect with and work with. The community is huge; we have just to learn to take advantage of it.”

Stacey Kamilaris expresses gratitude to the community for reacting positively to the needs of the youth.
“The Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce reached out to us and they are always willing to help us. So does the Cyprus Federation and the business people. Our Vice President Stathis Theodoropoulos got his job from this event. He is now with Prudential for two years. They are always willing to help. Everyone who participates to this event is amazing helping the youth.”

Andreas Savva, President of HOUGA and a pioneer in promoting the event said he was happy to see Job Fair to continue getting better every year.

“Cyprus – Us Chamber of Commerce embraces many organizations and all of them come together for the event. I hope this will encourage other organizations to join in and respond to the needs of the young professionals who are seeking for job opportunities.

Representing at the Job Fair Arch Technologies’ unit of promoting Green Electric Energy, he has spoken to many young candidates willing to try for the job.

MAGGIE STAVRIANIDIS

In order to offer to our readers a small taste of the presentation of Maggie Stavrianidis, Director of Human. Resources, Johnson & Johnson, we asked her few questions.

Q. What the candidates for a job should pay attention?

A. This is a very interesting and tough market. However it’s an open market and actually the unemployment rate is going down, a good thing for both the companies and the candidates. A couple of major things the candidates should pay attention to: Number one, to do some job research about the company you are applying for. Understand the company’s culture and what they are looking for, so to prepare themselves and be ready. If they stick with that and do the relevant homework about the company, it’s a great asset and they are ahead of the game.

Q. What you advise a candidate to pay attention in a job interview?

A. I believe body language is very important. Making sure that you look at the person interviewing is very important. People forget sometimes that, they are getting to an interview unprepared and their body language conveys that. So, master your body language, look at the interviewer and be authentic during the interview process; because good interviewers can tell if someone is holding information, hiding something or if he is not genuine about something.
Q. If you have to choose about overconfidence and under confidence what would you say?

A. Overconfidence is always a winner. Confidence is something that shows you can conquer your major fears. If a candidate comes in confident, he shows that he conquered his fears and he has an opportunity to be a leader.

Q. How about a confident person versus a humbled one?

A. My suggestion is be genuine to what you are. If you are a humbled person and you try to be confident, then it shows and you become overconfident. So to be genuine is even more important.

THE PARTICIPANTS

Among the companies that participated in the Job Fair were:

Arch Insurance, Alma Bank, Arc Technologies, Viridien Energy, Comodromos Associates, Eiseman,Levine,Lehrhaupt & Kakoyiannis, Equis Trading, Unilever, Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, Lyons Mortgage, Mana Products, Marathon Bank, PCD Personal Communications Devices, PJ Mechanical, Prudential, Polly Brown Associates, Retele Co, Thornton Tomasetti, Montefiore Hospital, Ethos Performing Arts, National Herald, Deree College of Greece, Riverside Credit, Alpine Limousine Service, Gristedes Supermarkets, The Hellenic Voice, Objecutive, Inc., On The Edge Media Group, Atlantic Partners Financial Group, (Member of John Hancock Financial Group), Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi – UFJ