n Wednesday, students learned the importance of making a good impression and having a positive attitude when looking for a job.

Good manners, the willingness to learn and good listening skills are also essential.Three potential employers spoke to the senior class at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute in an "Employability Skills Program" conducted by the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development.David Diehl of Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton, said his firm has 1,100 employees, most of them seasonal because it is a ski resort.The firm is planning to open a summer water park and a new hotel, which will increase the employment.Steve Ohl of R.F. Ohl Fuel Oil and Air Conditioning in Lehighton, said he has about 40 employees, but his company is looking to expand.Micah Gursky, director of development for St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus in Coaldale, said his parent company, St. Luke's, has 10,000 employees and is ready to open its seventh hospital in Monroe County.Gursky said 50 percent of the job openings listed on the company's website are for registered nurses.The program was monitored by Marlyn Kissner, executive director of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development.Kissner told the students that she works with hundreds of employers and one of the necessities of workers is possessing "soft skills," or good personality traits, including social graces, personal habits, communication and the ability to work with others.Each potential employer detailed what they are looking for in job applicants, what skills applicants should have, the keys to landing jobs and what will cause an employer to fire someone.Gursky said St. Luke's has a job description for every position.He said all applicants must undergo pre-employment drug testing, which includes nicotine testing."We are a hospital, a health care organization," he said, noting that prevention is one of the keys to good health which is why there is a no-smoking policy for employees.He also said nobody will be hired who has visible tattoos.His firm conducts crucial background checks including child abuse background check and clearance check.Ohl said he has hired numerous graduates in the past from CCTI and has had good results with them."A first impression is very important," he said.Besides a positive attitude, it's also important for applicants to look people in the eye when they talk to them, since customer service is vital in his business.Ohl warned students about what they post on social media."People have been denied getting scholarships and getting jobs," because of irresponsible posts, Ohl said.He said young people often don't realize that what they post on social media stays there.All three panelists said when employees are fired, it is usually caused by a bad attitude.Joselyn Mansberry, a computer engineering technology student from the Panther Valley School District, asked which is more important, a trade or a degree.Ohl said sometimes a degree is not exactly what's needed to work in a small company.Gursky said either can be important in landing a job.He said experience is also important.He told the seniors that his firm looks at the applicant's work history, especially where they worked previously and their reason for leaving.Mansberry said she was impressed with Gursky's presentation. She likes that he said he wants to make sure quality workers are hired because his children and family use St. Luke's facilities.