Today is the day you could find that dream job or head down a different career path at the Daily Echo Jobs Fair.

The free event opens its doors to Hampshire’s jobseekers at the Novotel in Southampton, with 26 firms from across the south offering vacancies or advice on how to get on the job ladder.

Companies from a diverse range of backgrounds and industries from the armed forces and maritime industries, to catering and health sectors, will be represented at the fair, which runs from 10am to 3pm.

The event offers a golden opportunity for thousands of jobseekers looking to find work, learn about different jobs and maybe decide to change direction.

Hundreds of people are expected to be there speaking to representatives from firms such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Red Funnel, QinetiQ, Team Brain Injury Support, Bupa Care, Solent NHS Trust, Domino’s, the Army and the Royal Air Force.

Advisors such as Jobs Centre Plus and the National Careers Service among others will be there parting with words of wisdom to jobseekers looking to land a new job.

Daily Echo:

Daily Echo recruitment manager Natalie Sprake said today was a perfect opportunity to find the dream job you’ve been looking for.

She said: “Nearly all of the exhibitors at today’s fair have vacancies available and even if your career path doesn’t open up to you, there are plenty of talks and seminars giving you the chance to find out more.

“In today’s competitive world you need to gain as much edge as you can over other people to get noticed in the job market.

“It may be tough to get a job out there, but today’s jobs fair is here to help you stand out from the rest while finding just what opportunities are there for the taking.

Daily Echo:

“That’s why it’s so important you don’t miss out, so get yourself down to the Novotel now.”

Some of the seminars include insight into careers in IT, caring or journalism, advice on writing a winning CV, and succeeding at interviews.

Daily Echo:

Last year saw hundreds of people flock to the fair, from teenagers who had just left college, to people who were hoping to find a part-time job to keep them busy whilst in retirement.

Sponsors Priory Education Services is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist educational services. Head teacher of two of the local Priory Schools, Karen Gaster, said that the fair provides an opportunity to learn more about the employment opportunities available in the Southampton area.

Daily Echo:

She said: “This is a chance for local people to share in the success that we have achieved locally.

“We are all about providing care, life skills and education to our young residents as they progress towards independent living.

“If you love working with children and young people and want to make a difference, you will fit in perfectly.

“We really hope to find strong candidates for our vacancies.”