TheLadders Brings the Job Search to Grand Central



If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you may have seen me tweet about Job Central. Here at TheLadders, we’ve been hard at work for months planning a one-of-kind job-search extravaganza, and in less than one week, it will all come to fruition!

On Thursday, January 10th, we will bring together the best employers, recruiters, and career experts at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall to host a comprehensive job-search experience for professionals looking to make their next career move.

So, what’s so special about Job Central, you ask? For starters, it’s FREE and open to all professionals! I will be there all day answering questions and sharing tips on how to conduct a successful job search in 2013. Additionally, we’ve lined up an impressive roster of industry experts to speak on a wide range of topics, including how to leverage social media in the job hunt and navigating job-search uncertainty.

Whether you’re looking for a job now or considering a change further down the line, if you live in the Tri-State Area, this is an event worth attending. In addition to learning how to get a jump-start on your search, you also will have the opportunity to meet and network with dozens of recruiters and hundreds of fellow job seekers, and possibly receive a free, three-month Premium membership (a $75 value) to TheLadders.

What to wear

Don your best business-casual outfit for the event. For gentlemen, I suggest a pair of slacks with a button-down shirt. For ladies, consider a flattering blouse paired with slacks, or a dress. Make sure the neckline is workplace-appropriate and that the skirt falls to your knee. Afraid your outfit will raise a red flag at the office? Check out these wardrobe tips for job-seeking on the sly.

What to bring

Bring a stack of business cards, at least five copies of your resume, a pen, a notebook (or your iPad) for taking notes during the presentations, and your game plan. Review the list of speakers ahead of time and come prepared with specific questions. Most importantly, arm yourself with a smile and be prepared to network.

What to expect

Not only will you have a chance to speak with recruiters, employers, and other professionals, but you’ll also learn valuable tips to help you compete in this tough job market. Use these next few days to practice your elevator pitch, update your resume, and clean up your online presence so it aligns with your job goals.

For more information, including the full speaker line-up, visit theladders.com/jobcentral and join the event on Facebook. If you’re out of the area but want to participate virtually, join the Twitter conversation on January 10th, with the hashtag #JobCentral.

I look forward to seeing you on January 10th!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

January 7, 2013 2 Comments , , ,

  • Kevin

    Shame on you.

    That’s all I can say about #JobCentral today in Grand Central Station. What a chaotic mess you managed to create. I was one of the masses who was excited about this event.

    The Ladders had historically been a good online resource for career moves and I expected a professional event with value above and beyond the website. What I, (or dare I generalize), we all received was wasted time, expense and grief.

    I’ll try to keep this brief, you know, elevator pitch style: * we prepared, as per your guidance * we arrived on time * we dressed appropriately and * we had our resumes. Shame on you for not thinking this through, the logistics, timing, value and above all else, the acoustics.

    Shame on you for not having a plan. Shame on you for keeping your gaggle of green shirt staff behind the ropes milling about while hundreds of people queued up along 42nd Street, twice, then up Vanderbilt. Shame on you for not providing information. Shame on you for having 20 chairs for a speaking event in a loud public hallway. Execution was dismal.

    Did you think about all the people who would spend time and money to attend, early morning trains from unknown directions and unknown distances. Do you think about the psychological aspect of job hunting, being unemployed, the stress associated and the vision of hope when something like this comes along from a reputable source.

    Your event planning staff should be fired. Period.

    I like your website, I felt like this event would take things up a notch. I attended because I was considering upgrading my membership. This was your chance to pass very simple due diligence. You failed.

    The people I stood in line with were intelligent, friendly and seemed sincere on making this time work for them.

    What a Wizard of Oz moment.

    I feel foolish for making the attempt. Once I saw the NYPD arrive and once I “did the math” – how in the WORLD are all of these people ever going to make in into that tiny space? And once inside, how in the WORLD am I ever going to learn or gain anything? I walked away. I’m certain many others wish they had.

  • Dissapointed

    I was very dissapointed with how the event was handled; please work with an effective event planner next time you have one so that people who do make the effort to join (during a workday) have a positive experience. I had to walk away after waiting in the cold and seeing that I had no chance to get in today. You should send out an apology to all who registered for the event.

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