Skyline students met face to face with some 19 employers who were on hand to accept resumes and set up interviews at the Holiday Job Fair on Nov. 12.Prospective employers included companies in hospitality, security, childcare, marketing, investments, military services, non-profit organizations and medical providers. Although an official count was not taken, Career Counselor Virginia Padron surveyed the gathering in the cafeteria and said the student turn out was about average. She said she was grateful for all the employers who came out. “The California Pacific Medical Center employs a lot of students,” Pardon said. “Aviation Security employs students at $16.88 an hour. The student work is at $18 an hour. So, there are good companies here.”Skyline student Mara Martinez was multi-tasking and focused as she completed her second application while talking on her cell phone. Her English teacher told her about the job fair. Martinez said she has been looking for a job for the past three months, but it’s been difficult because of lay offs, and the many people looking for work. “I’m looking for a job opportunity with upward mobility,” Martinez said. “I’ve applied at an airport company and the San Carlos Elms which is a senior assisted living program. There are pretty good companies here.”Paul Etcheverry is not a Skyline student but found the Holiday Job Fair in the Jobs and Careers publication. “I’m hoping to make a few personal contacts,” Etcheverry said. “Sending e-mails and faxes to answer ads seem to be ineffective. Generally speaking, if you get one person or one phone number, you haven’t wasted your time.” For the past seven years, the Career Center has sponsored two job fairs annually. One held in November and the other in April. Padron said the economic times have affected the fewer number of employers at the job fair.”In the past, we’ve had about 500 students come to the April job fair with around 70 employers,” Padron said. “The Holiday Job Fair because of its emphasis on seasonal work usually has fewer employers.With the small turn out of employer, Padron said she was disappointed. “We had about 10 employers who didn’t show,” Pardon said. “It’s usually a lot more packed (in the cafeteria) than it is now. But with the employers that are here, they’ve had pretty good reception from interested students.”Skyline students Mike Vigil and Raul Meneses both said they were getting information for a friend whom they thought needed a job.”I’m trying to get my education, that’s why I’m not looking here (the job fair),” Vigil said. “But, I think this is great for people who are looking for a job or career.” The Career Center offers career counseling and workshops on resume writing, conducting job searches and interview techniques. If students are undecided about a career or considering a career change, there are web-based career assessments to help them identify personality traits, values, skills and interests and jobs that would or would not be a good fit for them.Before taking the plunge into a career, there are resources regarding employment projections, salary surveys, career planning, college majors and career guides to help you plan. Students may access links to jobs through the Career Center website at http://skylinejobs.com where employers also post their job announcements.