After nearly six years, the National Job Fair returned to the capital, with a fresh approach. This time, beyond job placement, the initiative emphasised long-term career building. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment stated that the fair aimed to support job seekers through career counselling, labour market information, and guidance based on individual interests and expectations. The two-day event, which concluded today, brought together more than 40 employers.
The National Job Fair offered over 2,500 vacancies along with career guidance and counselling booths.
In line with the National Job Fair’s theme, “Breaking Stereotypes, Rethinking Career”, the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship under the ministry set up a dedicated career guidance booth to help job seekers explore career options and get advice.
“We have trained counsellors. Firstly, they will be providing interview tips for the job seekers so that when job seekers visit and look for a vacancy, they can take those interview tips. Then we have a review of our resume and CV. We also have many games related to career, such as career board games, card games. And we also have personality matching games using the Holland code,” said Kezang Yuden Dorji, Assistant Counsellor, Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, MoICE.
This edition, the department adopted a different approach, shifting the focus from job searching to career building. Officials said the booth was designed to encourage direct interaction with counsellors.
“It is not only about searching for a job, but it is also about building careers. So we would actually as a department and as a ministry, like to be there for job seekers, to provide career counselling, to provide information on the labour market, to actually guide and see what are their interests, what are their expectations, so that we can guide them on the right track, so that they can find careers that are meaningful and that they enjoy,” said Kunzang Lhamu, Director General, Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship, MoICE.
“We have the DHI companies and other companies here to advocate for you all on the recruitment pathway post in their companies. We also have the Royal Civil Service Commission on board to give you career guidance on the civil service job. We have the training providers there to tell you if you do not fit the vacancies here, it’s alright. You have an opportunity to upskill yourself, reskill yourself,” said Tshering Yangki, Offtg. Chief, Labour Market Information and Career Guidance Division, MoICE.
The event brought job opportunities from government agencies, corporate organisations and private companies under one roof. Organisers said job seekers only needed to show up, explore the options, and leave with a fresh perspective on career development.
“I have got insights on which department or sectors I may be interested in. And due to my insights on the first day, I have come here on the second day to submit my applications in one of the sectors here,” said Dorji Gyeltshen, Job Seeker, Thimphu.
“This job fair gave me a very good opportunity to understand and broaden my knowledge on different job opportunities that are actually available, because staying at home tends to limit our job opportunities, as we tend to only check the websites that we already know. But coming here, we get face-to-face consultancy that we don’t get at home,” said Jimee Zangmo, Job Seeker, Thimphu.
“For job seekers, events like this are a great opportunity because on online platforms we often miss information about job openings, and we are not always sure whether those opportunities still exist. Having all job opportunities available in one place makes the process much more convenient and efficient for job seekers,” said Kinga Tshering, Job seeker, Thimphu.
The department said it plans to take the job fair to its regional offices in Trongsa, Monggar, Phuentshogling, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Gelephu if all the vacancies are not filled.
Devika Pradhan & Rinchen Tsheyang Pelmo (Intern)
Edited by Sonam Pem
