HUNDREDS of hopeful job seekers made their way to a Southampton hotel to get advice at a major careers event.

There was a buzz of expectation as people flocked through the doors at the Novotel in West Quay Road for the Daily Echo Jobs Fair in the bid of finding their dream job.

Nearly 20 firms, from a range of industries from both the public and private sectors, were there to provide advice and possibly employ those who have been out of work.

Companies including Bupa Care Services, Care UK, Allied Healthcare, Carewatch, Home Group, Autism Hampshire, Solent Refit, NHS Professionals, Bluestar, Peter Symonds College in Winchester, Lucketts Travel in Fareham, the National Fostering Agency and the Rose Road charity were there to seek new candidates.

People could also get a boost in confidence with one-to-one CV sessions and advice on how to get their next job with workshops from the National Careers Service.

Ben Rowe from Bupa said he thought the event was well-attended: “As always it’s been very well organised. I will be attending the next one in September. It’s always a very well run event. From the business point of view we have seen some good people, a high calibre of people.”

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Summer Fancett, from Fareham-based Lucketts Travel, said it was the first time they had exhibited at the event.

She said: “We think it’s gone really well. There’s been a large proportion of people coming through. We’re hoping to see a lot of applications over the weekend, which would be fabulous. We’re very impressed.”

Sarah Kerr, deputy manager from Community Wessex, said: “We have had a great day today at the Novotel with many people interested in work we are offering for potential support workers.

“The quality of recruits have been very good and we are pleased to see so many people interested in working with people with learning disabilities.”

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Daily Echo recruitment manager Natalie Sprake said the day had been very positive and organisers had seen masses of people through the doors despite a fall in unemployment.

She said: “It’s an opportunity for people to really show off their skills. It’s human interaction, it’s having conversations and actually getting to meet somebody.”