WINTSON-SALEM -- Forsyth Tech is trying to help students hone their interview skills and learn how to network with employers.
Practice that will give them a leg up before graduating.
"We've had very good success with our students being hired, called in for additional interviews as a result of interactions that have happened here at the job fair," said Dr. Jewel Cherry, student services vice president.
This week, the college held several workshops aimed at giving students feedback about what it takes to be successful in the workplace, from what to avoid putting on social media to dressing for success.
On Thursday, students put those skills to the test during a job fair with nearly 50 employers from both the private and public sectors.
"Lots of people have the skill," said Cherry. "It's the soft skills that will give you the edge [on] how you interact with other people, how you are at working with teams, making presentations, just getting along is a really important part in the work environment."
But it wasn't just students on the job hunt. The event was open to the public and drew in lots of retirees.
"I'm in a program down at the Winston-Salem Urban League that's a program for people 50 and older to prepare us to get back out into the workplace," said Wayne Williams, job seeker. "When we heard about job fairs, we jump at the opportunity."
"I'm retired from Richmond, Virginia, I've been here about a year. I did maintenance for 30 something years and was a caregiver for 10 years. Even though I'm retired, I've still got a little spirit," said Curtis Miles, job seeker.
In your job search, organizers say networking face-to-face can still make all the difference in a world of technology.