PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - This free activity is part of the Bandung City Government's efforts to expand public access to information and job opportunities while simultaneously reducing the open unemployment rate in Bandung City.

The Middle Functional of Job Introduction and Head of the Job Market Team of the Bandung City Manpower Office, Ilham Mulyana, explained that the job fair or job exchange was held in several areas of Bandung City so that its benefits could be felt more widely by the community.

"This job fair is being held in several areas across Bandung City to facilitate public access to job openings. By bringing services closer to residents, we hope more job seekers will take advantage of this opportunity, thereby helping to reduce Bandung City's Open Unemployment Rate (TPT), which currently stands at 7.2 percent," Ilham said during the Sonata Talkshow on Monday (June 15, 2026).

He explained that the Future Connect 2026 Job Fair offers various job opportunities that can be accessed both in person and online.

"At the 2026 Future Connect Job Fair in Central Bandung, 20 job providers were present offline at the event location. Furthermore, more than 30 job providers were available online through the New BIMMA app. So, participants not only had the opportunity to meet directly with the companies present on site but also to apply to companies available online through the platform," said Ilham.

In addition to employment providers, participants can also take advantage of various support services available during the activity.

"The Bandung City Manpower Office team will also be present on site. Additionally, representatives from the Vocational Training Center (BLK) will be available to consult on training programs tailored to job seekers' needs," he said.

Ilham added that there are also opportunities for people who want to develop their careers abroad.

"Later, a university in Bandung will also collaborate as a sending organization. They can provide information and guidance to people who want to work abroad, for example in Japan and other destinations," he added.

Furthermore, Ilham reminded that success in obtaining a job is not only determined by technical skills, but also personal readiness and attitude during the recruitment process.

"Mistakes that often affect job interview results aren't just related to skills, but also to the applicant's attitude. Furthermore, many companies now also look at social media profiles, including Instagram, to assess a candidate's character," explained Ilham.

According to him, a number of companies are also starting to pay attention to the financial track record of prospective employees as part of the selection process.

"Through applicant identity data, companies can check their financial track record. The applicant's National Identification Number (NIK) can be used to check whether the applicant is currently in debt with online loans. This is done to determine if there are any issues that could potentially disrupt work focus. Companies naturally want to ensure a conducive work environment and avoid issues that could impact productivity or relationships with coworkers," he said.

Meanwhile, Cahyadi Maulana, the First Functional Officer for Job Introduction at the Bandung City Manpower Office, reminded job seekers to prepare themselves well, including when creating profiles on the New BIMMA application, which serves as a means for companies to get to know potential applicants.

"Many job seekers still fill out their profiles on the BIMMA app haphazardly. Yet, your profile is one of the first things a company or employer sees. Complete your personal details thoroughly, highlighting your experience, competencies, and abilities to make yourself more attractive to employers," said Cahyadi.

According to him, a complete and professional profile can increase an applicant's chances of being noticed by companies looking for candidates according to their needs.

Cahyadi invited the public to take advantage of job fairs as a way to seek employment opportunities.

"The Bandung Utama Job Fair Future Connect 2026 is a platform that connects job seekers with various companies directly. We encourage the public to take full advantage of this opportunity to obtain information on job openings that match their competencies and interests," he said.

Closing the discussion, Cahyadi motivated job seekers not to just wait for opportunities to come, but to actively seek them out.

"Success isn't just about staying at home. Besides praying, we also need to make an effort. One way to do that is by attending the job fair we're hosting starting this Thursday. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet with companies and explore broader job opportunities," he concluded.

To participate in this activity, participants are required to register through the New BIMMA application of the Bandung City Manpower Office, upload the required documents, and print the approved ticket as a condition for entry to the activity location.

Through the Bandung Utama Job Fair Future Connect 2026, the Bandung City Manpower Office hopes to expand public access to employment information, improve workforce readiness, and connect job seekers with the business world in a more effective and integrated space. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/rka)