Follow your career path to Hampshire jobs fair (From Daily Echo)

Follow your career path to Hampshire jobs fair

11:57am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Patrick Knox, Senior Reporter

IT’S a chance for thousands of Hampshire’s jobless to find golden opportunities at one of Hampshire’s biggest careers events.

The Daily Echo Jobs Fair 2013 tomorrow will see hundreds of jobseekers from all ages and backgrounds flock to the event to either find work, take the first step on their chosen career path or simply change direction.

This year a record number of stands from dozens of major and training employers have converged to handpick the best talent on offer at the free event at the Southampton’s Guildhall.

The Royal Bank of Scotland, BSKYB Blue Star buses, Quob Stables, Teaching Personnel and the Royal Navy will join eager to recruit care firms, estate agents, recruitment agencies and colleges.

It comes as latest figures revealed there are four unemployed people chasing every one job vacancy in Southampton.

The dole queue in Southampton now stands at 5,530 people, or 3.4 per cent.

Daily Echo recruitment manager Tessa Reid said: “There is more variety and diversity of employers than ever before from banking, IT, navy, teaching, chefs, to care and education recruiters.

“And all of them have vacancies.

“So it is something for everyone and a chance for them to feel for themselves what’s on offer and bypass the usual recruitment process.

“By getting straight in front of the people doing the hiring you can talk to them and find out what they are looking for and what kind of person would fit the bill.

“That way you can produce a more focused and professional application and really highlight your relevant qualities.

“There is also a chance for people looking for a new job to find out what’s on offer, to get advice and tips on interviews or CVs, or find out more about possible career moves.

“And this year we have introduced an exciting range of seminars which offer the opportunity of listening to firms talking about their sector and the jobs they offer as well as chance to ask questions.”

The seminars are on IT apprenticeships, working with the elderly, creating a winning CV, becoming a foster carer, careers in recruitment consultancy, careers in journalism, working with special needs, successful interview skills and complex care in the community.

Last year more than 500 people packed out the fair in the first hour alone. A massive range of candidates ranged from teenagers who had just left college, to people who were hoping to find a part-time job in retirement.

The Daily Echo Jobs Fair takes place at Southampton Guildhall tomorrow from 10am-5pm.