Recruitment fair draws Algerian job seekers

29/06/2009

Over 30 businesses participated in the two-day International Recruitment and Human Resources Fair in Algiers. Organisers also set up a virtual job fair on the internet.

By Hayam El Hadi in Algiers for Magharebia – 29/06/09

[www.sira-algerie.com] Over 2,000 jobs were on offer at the Sixth International Recruitment and Human Resources Fair (SIRRHA) in Algiers.

Algeria hosted the Sixth Algerian International Recruitment and Human Resources Fair (SIRRHA) on Saturday (June 27th) and Sunday. The event, featuring no fewer than 35 companies representing different business segments of the country's economy, generated enormous interest. Businesses offered 2,500 jobs against the backdrop of the world financial crisis.

Roughly 1,000 people came to inquire about recruitment opportunities among the country's largest businesses, said Mohamed El-Ouahdoudi, director general of SIRA-Algérie, the company behind the event. Last year, 900 visitors to the fair found work, the organiser added.

Even though many subsidiaries of multinational companies cut jobs as a consequence of the global financial crisis, others "have actually committed themselves to greater recruitment," said El-Ouahdoudi.

Many large groups confirmed such an assessment, adding that they were looking for competent recruits.

"We're here to find some attractive candidates," said Wahiba, who works for the human resources department of an Egyptian telephone service operator. "We don't have a predetermined labour specification. We're accepting any CVs we're offered and we'll study them later. It's not unusual to find a real star among them."

This fair is a real opportunity, Hichem, a student finishing his university course at the National Business School (ENC), told Magharebia. "So many big businesses all in one place... it's beyond my wildest dreams," he added. "It's not always easy to know how to get your CV out to everyone."

Those who could make the trip will not be disadvantaged. The organisers have considered them too, by setting up a virtual fair: "SIRRHA Everywhere", which can be accessed at www.sira-algerie.com. It enables visitors to apply remotely to their companies of choice.

Organisers said that applications submitted online would be passed on to the company targeted by the job seeker. This virtual window will remain open until Tuesday. Alongside SIRRHA, organisers have been planning the second entrepreneurship fair, Entreprendre en Algérie. One of the highlights this year will be the opportunity to seek advice on starting a new business and setting up projects.