In a climate where a shortage of health care professionals is a critical reality, employers are constantly looking to fill positions. One of the best tools to match job-seekers with employers is a job fair.

"We don't do it for a pastime or because we're bored. We do it because we see success from them," said Sue Dunlap, employment manager at DeKalb Medical.

Photos by BARRY WILLIAMS/Special (ENLARGE)

In an effort to fill 150 positions, DeKalb Medical hosted a career fair at its Hillandale campus in Lithonia in January. 'We don't do it (hold job fairs) for a pastime or because we're bored. We do it because we see success from them,' said Sue Dunlap, employment manager at DeKalb Medical.

(ENLARGE)

Nurses Annissa Caraway (left) and Beverly Powell fill out paperwork at DeKalb Medical's career fair in January.

(ENLARGE)

Nurse Sandra Smith (left) talks to Melveta Hill, Telemetry and ICU nurse manager, about positions at DeKalb Medical's Hillandale campus.

With both its Hillandale and North Decatur campuses expanding this year, DeKalb Medical needs to strengthen its medical team. With that in mind, the hospital hosted a job fair on Jan. 17.

"We've been recruiting to fill about 150 full-time, part-time and PRN (as needed) positions," Dunlap said. "So much of the application process is done online now, but we don't want to lose the personal touch of meeting candidates.

"A career fair gets us out in the community and face-to-face with our applicants and clients."

When DeKalb Medical holds its fairs every three months or so, department managers are brought in to talk with job-seekers.

"We want the department managers involved in helping us find potential employees who are the right fit," Dunlap said. "They are the ones who know their departments and its needs best."

Department managers can answer specific clinical and work-environment questions so applicants can better assess whether the positions fit with their skills and career goals.

Not every hospital has department managers present to talk to candidates, but many hold their own open houses or career fairs, or participate in fairs sponsored by other organizations.

Although it's convenient to search and apply online for jobs, Dunlap feels that job-seekers benefit from career fairs.

"You get a lot more information about a job-seeker at a career fair. Instead of words on paper, you meet a person and see something of [his or] her personality," Dunlap said.

The scrutiny can go both ways. Employers get to showcase their facilities and organizations, while applicants can gather information about a potential employer, make a good impression, hand someone a résumé and get contact information of those who make hiring decisions. That's a good return for an investment of a couple of hours of time.

Dunlap has some advice for how job-seekers can make the most of attending a career fair for health care professionals.

• Understand the purpose: "A job fair is about the exchange of information. Don't expect to be interviewed or hired on the spot," Dunlap said. "Sometimes a manager will talk one-on-one with a promising candidate to learn more about her, but mostly we only have time to gather résumés."

After the fair, her staff reviews every résumé. Those that meet the hospital's minimum requirements are sent to people who make hiring decisions.

• Understand the hiring process: "The selection and screening process takes time," Dunlap said. "If someone meets the requirements for an immediate opening, [he or] she can expect a call to set up an interview within two weeks."

Résumés are kept on file for future openings.

• Research before you go: Use the Internet to look up information about employers before the fair. Learn a potential employer's location, size, culture and the type of care they offer.

At fairs with many potential employers, you can target the organizations that most interest you. If it's a job fair put on by a single hospital, you'll know which departments or positions to ask about.

• Be friendly and professional: "It impresses me if someone approaches us with a professional manner, introduces himself with a smile or handshake, and is prepared with a résumé and questions," Dunlap said. "If they've done their research beforehand and can show enthusiasm about wanting to join our organization, so much the better."

• Bring résumés: If you need help writing a good one, there are books, online resources and resume-writing companies that can help. The Georgia Department of Labor's Career Centers offer free assistance at www.dol.state.ga.us/find_career_centers.htm.

You still may be asked to submit your résumé online. That's standard operating procedure for some companies.

• Bring a pen and paper: You'll be filling out forms, getting contact information and jotting down information. Bring your own materials.

• Come with questions: "Recruiters have a lot of information, but unless you ask questions, we won't know what you are particularly interested in," Dunlap said. "For instance, intensive care nurses need experience and certification. If you're a mother/baby nurse wanting to switch specialties, I can tell you that we do intensive care training twice a year and how to submit your information to our selection panel."

The best questions are specific to what you'd like to know about an organization or position.

"If we don't have an opening in your specialty, you can ask me what hospital might have. As recruiters, we network and bounce leads back and forth through our professional organization," she said.