St Ann man nearly loses chance to show his skills at job fair

As the gates closed promptly at 6 p.m. at entertainment mogul Romeich Major's job fair last Friday, 21-year-old Jaden Brown ran breathlessly down Campbell's Boulevard in St Andrew, hoping to gain entry.

Brown, who journeyed from St Ann to Kingston to apply for a job as a graphic artist, was initially left disappointed, as security guards monitoring the entry point informed him that applications were finished for the day. Brown's shoulders fell and his eyes widened as it began to look like he had missed his big chance. But his faith was restored when one of the guards bellowed, "St Ann him a come from?! Let him through! Gi him a chance."

A relieved Brown did not hesitate, and proceeded inside to put forward his case to get one of the jobs that were on offer.

"I feel so good to know I was able to get here just in time. I just hope I get a job, then I would've said it was worth it all," said Brown. Speaking with THE STAR afterwards, Brown said he was not yet informed if he had gained employment with the marketing and entertainment company.

However, he was positive that he had impressed the interviewers, especially the boss, Major.

WAITING TO HEAR FATE

"I think I did great and I had to make it work, given the restricted time, because I came late. Even though my portfolio may be a little limited, as I am just 23 years old, I know I showed the interviewers that I am worth being on the team. I had to prove that I am to be in that room," Brown said. He said he is waiting with bated breath to hear in the coming days if he was successful.

Brown was among the hundreds who ventured to the headquarters of Romeich Entertainment to secure employment in several advertised posts. They came from different backgrounds and levels of work experience, hoping to earn a spot on Major's team.

Among them was Valmore Walters, 53, who told THE STAR that the job fair could not miss him, as he is keen on building his brand, Golden Pop-Ups.

"I am the 'golden man' from carnival, so I am well known. My aim here today was event marketing, so I did what I did best, I sold myself well. I think I can do good at marketing Ding Dong, Shenseea or any other artiste in Romeich Entertainment or any major marketing event. I am not bragging or boasting, but I am good at what I do," Walters said. He added that his portfolio entails working with the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Carnival in Jamaica group for over a decade.

On the other end of the spectrum, Jhan, who said that she is just starting out as a make-up artist, also wanted to gain marketing experience.

"I was going up against make-up artists who have a full page of content to show the interviewer. I told them that I also wanted to do marketing, and I was asked if I have marketing experience; but I just leave college. I tried my best, so I'm just waiting to hear the outcome," the 25-year-old said. For Jhan, who has a degree in marketing, even though the initially advertised $1,000 entry fee was said to be a marketing ploy, she would have had no difficulty paying the sum.

"It's a small sum, just a host of opportunities, and being told that the $1,000 was [a ploy], I said all the better because me did done plan to pay my $1000, but if it's no charge, then fine," she recounted.