The Tribune

More than 30,000 Bahamians have used 242jobs.com to connect with employers and find jobs, with half registering profiles on the site.

Donavon Powell, 242jobs.com's chief executive, started the online site to tackle The Bahamas' unemployment rate and link thousands of jobseekers with employers. But, wanting to do more, he noticed the importance of job seekers being properly equipped to perform on the job.

During July 2018, 242jobs.com offered $1 professional headshots to subscribers and the general public. Persons were too often uploading headshots that did not meet professional standards. For just $1, job hunters were able to have a professional headshot taken that would make a big difference in the overall presentation of their applications.

In addition to the professional headshots campaign, 242jobs.com organised a clothing drive called "Dress for Success" to provide job seekers with appropriate interview attire. Mr Powell made it a point to contact employers to find out how successful applicants were in presenting themselves, once they had successfully landed an interview through the website.

He discovered that many employers were dissatisfied with the appearance of some applicants. For this reason, 242jobs.com teamed up with the Salvation Army to conduct a clothing drive that successfully obtained business attire for job seekers.

Members of the public with professional clothing that was unused, or used sparingly, were encouraged to take them to the Salvation Army on behalf of 242Jobs. Job seekers were able to go to the Salvation Army and collect one or two outfits, based on their need, once they had documentation from the website, authorising them to receive the clothing free of charge.

Through this effort, led by Brittany Stubbs and Therese Sturrup of 242Jobs, many job seekers were able to wear a suit or other professional business attire for their interviews. Persons who donated worthy business attire were entered into a raffle, where the winners received gift certificates from Solomon's Super Centre, Kelly's Home Centre, Menchee's Frozen Yogurt; Popeye's; Marco's, and phone vouchers.

242Jobs is now working with local constituency offices to give hope to job seekers. It is installing a computer in constituency offices for use in preparing resumes, and for signing up to 242jobs.com to ensure they are given an opportunity to peruse available jobs and apply for them.

The first constituency will benefit on July 30. 242Jobs will install the first computer at the South Beach constituency office with the approval of its MP, Jeffrey Lloyd. Mr Powell will address a South Beach constituency town meeting to announce the initiative one day later.

On September 22, 242jobs.com will host a job readiness fair with the goal of further preparing prospective employees for the next big step in their careers. The Bahamas Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM) will assist the company in presenting talks and empowerment sessions to train and guide persons in landing a job. Sessions will include resume preparation, deportment, presentation for the interview and more.

Mr Powell was recently selected as a recipient of the "40 Under 40 most Influential and Successful Professionals in The Bahamas" award, hosted by Professional Services Bahamas. The awards will be presented at a special awards reception and corporate mixer on September 1 at Sapodilla Restaurant.

The award is given to "young professionals making exceptional strides before their 40th birthday", calling them the "next wave of leaders who will guide our country and its communities towards the future".