Thousands attend virtual job fair offering employment opportunities and resources

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Unemployment numbers continue growing, but local groups are doing their best to help.

The Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development Board and Centers has teamed up with Employ Milwaukee and the Southeastern Wisconsin Workforce Development Board for an event to help those searching for a new job find the one that best fits their needs.

It was the first virtual job fair the organizations teamed up to offer job seekers the opportunity to put their best foot forward online.

“There’s quite few out there for people who are looking for work,” said Laura Catherman, the Director for Waukesha Workforce Development Board.

Catherman is one of the organizers for the virtual job fair.

She says there were more than 55 online booths for people to connect and interact with, complete with live webinars and online rooms you can enter to find more about resources available from local nonprofits and agencies for people who were recently laid off.

But just because it’s online, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it as seriously.

“Come dressed for success. There’s a chance you could be on video with a recruiter and you want to make a great first impression,” said Catherman. “But I think it also puts you in that mindset, that frame of mind that you’re here to put your best foot forward.”

“From an employer perspective, they’re still looking for people,” said Jose Galvan from Employ Milwaukee. “They were looking for people and there weren’t enough people to go around.”

Galvan says employers are looking to hire for all sorts of positions and industries, saying there’s something for everyone.

Although companies have had to change their hiring practices because of the Safer at Home order, Galvan says he thinks this will become the new standard.

“I see this as being more of the norm than usual, even after COVID goes away,” he said. “It’s in some cases easier, and logistically less of a challenge.”

There has been a record high number of applications for unemployment in the state.

Wisconsin could run out of money to pay unemployment benefits for laid off workers as early as October.