Virtual Job Fair Matches Local Employers, Job Seekers

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Beginning April 1, job seekers won't have to dress up or drive anywhere to go to a local job fair. The virtual fair will be held 24/7 for one week online.

In partnership with FCCJ, First Coast Manufacturers Association, and JAXPORT, WorkSource is launching the First Coast's first Virtual Job Fair.

Through the week-long event, qualified job seekers and employers can match their skills with employer needs.

The fair begins April 1, 2009, at 12:01 a.m., and lasts through April 8.

A training manual, the VJF Handbook, is available now by clicking here.

There, job seekers can find tips for electronic resume writing and a guide to navigating the application process online.

Applicants need to sign up for a WorkSource account ahead of time, by going to www.FirstCoastVirtualJobFair.org.

Beginning April 1, the link will direct job seekers to the fair site.

Thirty-eight businesses and organizations seeking employees have already registered.

Rick DuCharme is one employer hoping to find qualified job seekers through the virtual fair.

"It's absolutely necessary right now that we get the key people in place as quick as possible, so we can grow our organization and help as many people as possible," DuCharme said.

DuCharme founded First Coast No More Homeless Pets in 2001.

The non-profit helps low-income families afford to spay and neuter their animals. The group also works to reduce the population of animal shelters.

DuCharme says the need for their services has increased due to the economy.

To keep up with the demand, First Coast No More Homeless Pets is expanding to a new office and clinic, and tripling its staff size.

DuCharme hopes to hire more vet technicians, administrative staff and customer service representatives next month with the help of the fair.

"WorkSource told me about the Virtual Job Fair. It sounds really exciting. It lets people connect from all over. We're expecting a whole lot of resumes from it," DuCharme said.

WorkSource spokesperson Candace Moody says they wanted to bring an alternative resource for the routine job fair.

"Over the past year or so as the economy's been going down, we've noticed that employees are more reluctant to invest in a physical job fair. They hated to take the time away from their desks. There were more applicants than employers needed at those events," Moody said.

She adds that the advantage of the First Coast Virtual Job Fair over other job listing sites, is, "It's local. It's immediate. These are employers that we know have jobs that are open."

Applicants can search the job bank based on company right from their homes, at any time of day during the fair.

Adrienne Fennell is one job seeker who plans to participate.

"It will save the time, the gas, and the dressing up for the employers who will actually call the applicants for the interview," Fennell said.

Fennell, a grandmother, says her job at a local bank was eliminated in January due to economy-driven cut backs.

Since then, she's actively searched for her future career through WorkSource. She's even made multiple resumes for her different experiences and skills.

She's participated in physical job fairs before, but is still waiting for the right match.

"The challenge is trying to determine which one is going to be the most effective," Fennell said.

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