Florida State College, WorkSource present virtual job fair

There are jobs to be found, you just need to know where to look.

Even with unemployment at 9.7 percent for the general population, there are jobs available on the First Coast, ranging from entry-level to experienced trades workers and management positions. Who’s finding them? The savviest job seekers are taking advantage of technology and nontraditional job-seeking methods. One way of connecting with employers is the third Virtual Job Fair being offered by WorkSource, along with Florida State College at Jacksonville and dozens of employers.

Between the first VJF in April 2009 and the second in July, nearly 2,000 jobs have been filled on the First Coast. Job applicants and employers will have a third 2009 Virtual Job Fair opportunity to make a match online, beginning at midnight Oct. 12 and continuing through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 16.

First Coast No More Homeless Pets, a community program that offers free and low-cost spaying and neutering to reduce the stray pet population, had 300 applicants for six positions in July, when 42 employers had 1,000 wide-ranging jobs available.

“We had positions for kennel workers, veterinarian technicians and a customer service manager,” said Rick DuCharme, founder and president of FCNMHP. “One posting received over 100 resumes.” The Virtual Job Fair provides money-saving and time-saving benefits for both job seekers and employers. For job seekers, participation becomes easier than the typical half-day, take time off and stand-in-line routine. Access to the site is 24/7 during the days of operation to accommodate anyone’s schedule.

A free Web-based training manual, the VJF Handbook, is available now by going tohttp://fscj.edu/vjobfair/hndbk_1-1.html. The handbook guides novices and experienced job seekers through the basics for those who need them, with tips on resume building and ways for everyone to best present their skills to prospective employers. Additionally, a video option is available for each section.

Some of the advantages for employers are that they don’t have to haul materials to an off-site location and take time out of the office.

“Setting up a (virtual) booth was easy. I just had to attach our company logo and add our organization’s profile,” said DuCharme, who then screened qualified applicants without having to leave his workplace.

Before using the VJF, DuCharme would place ads in the paper.

“I hardly ever got the number of applicants that I got from the Virtual Job fair,” he said, “and most job posting sites charge money to run an ad; the Virtual Job fair is free.”

The VJF Handbook is provided by Florida State College at Jacksonville. The College also will provide information on career counseling and training for workers needing to upgrade their present skills. They can also learn about courses and programs to build new skills in health care, trades and industries for which there is a demonstrated need for employees.

Industry, educational and media organizations can learn more about how to become involved in this exceptional response to the region’s employment needs by contacting Elizabeth Cochran Brown at WorkSource at 798-9229, ext 2212 or by e-mail at ecochran@worksourcefl.com.