I was about to say something but you already took the words right out my mouth.
I went to a job fair as a teenager and got nothing from it. My opinion? It was just a giant census and info gathering program - just like the job bank at the unemployment office.

Haven't had the opportunity exactly; been to a couple of showcase / interview days prior to recruitment. They seemed to work much better since both you and the army have little choice in the matter of acceptance (ie by default you'll just fill some crack), and the second being academy oriented had decent matches.

But what you describe definitely corresponds to unemployment experience (as BA1 stated), except being haled to such interviews weekly in exchange for a dole.

I agree. It would be so cool find a way to punish them...wait they do. They don't show up. The employers get upset and the government gives them money, slacken immigration and loosen rules. More welfare equals more government and more taxes.

I completely agree. Everything now is just 'apply online'. There was a day where you dress nicely, have you CV ready, go to the place you want to work and hand your cv to the boss. Not anymore.

But I disagree with the brand part. This is the social media time, you most definitely are a brand

Well I'm the best dog trainer on the planet!

I know what you mean, but its a competitive world out there. Social media is now a job. Getting people to look at you is a job. Both tools can make business opportunities beyond my tiny city. Instead of reaching the 2 million who live in my county, I can reach countless millions on line just by promoting my brand on youtube and facebook

Thats the plan :D

Yes, you both are right. Sherlock your point started 10 years old.
Nix's idea is current.
Some of the issues of concern are; Government subsidized recruiting and training programs (job fairs make them money), training wages for new immigrants (not protected under law because of not being landed citizens), monopoly of the industry with the ability to black mail with closure and increase unemployment and manipulation of the media to distract and slant information to cause fear.

Solution, circle the wagons. Opps! No disrespect to wagon owners or anything implied. It will get worst before it gets better my friend. The good news is when you're at the bottom up is the only direction you can go:)

Good point! Networking is the only real way of connecting, but the networks are becoming more selective and even demanding up front..umm..commitments before a conversation can take place. Examples; church groups, french groups or ethnic groups, political groups and now the Six Sigma certified groups.

I met a guy that repeated an old statement from years ago in broken English; "that company speaks through both sides of their face"!
True.

🙋‍♂️ Question!

How do we fix this?

(The “market” - discrimination is easy to fix but people are too afraid of being seen as racist so they reverse discriminate.)

HR departments were designed to throw bones to little violations and secretly derail any large law suit while diminishing employer costs with a false sense of ethics.
The only thing that'll fix this is stronger families, communities and friendships.
Take greed and need out and they're screwed. Example; don't pay me or hire me and I'll stay home.
Their plan, screw up the "home" and family. Example; high taxes, churches are full of perverts, grandparents are better off dead or working in MacDonalds, I'll pay you more if you're unattached and uninfluenced by social events, career oriented regardless of the lifestyle and you'll do as they say or dictate.

Call in Brave heart!

Why on earth would being married be a benefit?

Exactly. I remember when they (employer groups) developed the first HR departments. Secret meeting, limiting personal contracts with loop holes and false offers.

Nix at one time being married meant you had a contract with responsibilities to a family and would work responsibly to supply the income needed for both employer and children. Today all of that is concerned a negative. Employers want FREE skills, FREE labour and lots of money. HR departments spread false ideas of caring and support while sucking the human factor out of society for the machine.

If you were married Nix your wife would tell you what the benefits are...lol.
That's going to open a box.
I think there is a game where you develop new cities and communities. Well that describes how it's suppose to work. If you don't follow the game you'll not be successful completing it and just get bored and not play at all.

Perhaps they would be less likely to transfer on account of a competitor's proposal or quit unexpectedly due to the logistics involved? Or perceived as more reliable in general?

Yes.
So why is single, no family and alone better?

It's just a (an?) hypothesis of managing resources, not that I've much experience in such matters. I prefer not to think of people in terms of superiority.

Husband :P (I'm female btw, but not likely to marry at all)

Ya there is some truth to that, but superior is not the issue because this requires more money,it's stability, reliability and responsibility.

I've employed hundreds and somebody has to turn the lights on and only call in sick when it's true. If everybody was single with no children we would be having this chat:)

When your husband was bitching with a hang over and wanted to call in sick you'd kick his asss or he'd be labeled as a dead beat. Dead beats today enjoy a life today at someone else expense. I'm pro female but believe the family unit has been moved to the bottom of the list and it's all "me" and greed. Rich kids and poor kids...no middle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43107518

I think thats quite unfair. Especially in the UK, cost of living is so expensive, if you dont have an excellent job then its doubtful that you would be able to afford a mortgage and living costs with only one income. Especially in London. And why shouldnt woman have a career? We can contribute just as much as men. If I was to get married and have kids there is absolutely no way I would spend my day babbling to a child, it would drive me crazy.

lol..my children didn't babble, but due my career I didn't see them much when they were small and grand dad was chasing that ring too. Trust me..babbling is life and career is money and power.
I understand I felt the same way years ago but now it's just stupid because they'll take your money anyway. Woman should have anything they want, but death and the end of time comes to us all and women contribute more then men. Woman are having heart attacks at 50 now more then men.

I think it's respect and truth we're missing.

I disagree, we have seen the results of a whole different world. We are nothing like we were in the 70's. The biggest contribution is probably social media, especially youtube, and those seeking fame through being stupid.

lol..Nix..you had to be there to understand. Yes..it had it's issues but today tech issues and instant reward issues will trump important ones. No disrespect, but you used the word "I". "You" are not alone but the people at the top wish you to be.

My government has granted daycare so you can have a career and I'll pay the child care. Unfortunately there is no money left for health care, seniors and families to enjoy themselves. It's a big issue and something I'd wouldn't think too much about.

But you could say that about everything.... I dont want kids but I still have to contribute to peoples education, Ive never been to uni but I still have to contribute to that, Ive never needed the fire services, military, pensions, job seekers allowance, disability benefits, transport (i have a car which is taxed separately), I dont use libraries or museums. but still have to pay for it all.....

Plus a working mother and father would still be contributing to that childcare

Yes.

Yes. I had to bring my children to work sometimes. Not the best, but they developed a good work ethic.
My brother loses half of his employees when there is a storm over no baby sitter.
Shuts him down.
Most HR departments are a step backwards.
If they want your info they should put their cards on the table.