Job seekers can start polishing their resumes in preparation for the annual Greenwood-Leflore area job fair scheduled for later this month.
The Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation has partnered with the Governor’s Job Fair Network of Mississippi to host a job fair Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Leflore County Civic Center. Job seekers do not have to register or pay admission fees.
This is the fourth consecutive year for the job fair. Last year, it had 46 registered employers, and more than 400 job applicants participated. Out of those participants, 231 were interviewed on site and 168 were offered jobs, according to Angela Curry, executive director of the economic development foundation.
“Our companies look forward to it, and our job seekers look forward to it,” Curry said.“This is an opportunity for individuals who are looking for jobs to be able to visit with numerous companies under one roof and an opportunity for companies to engage job seekers.”
Businesses from all over Mississippi, with the majority from the Greenwood area, participate in the event, and as of Wednesday 15 companies had already registered online. There is no limit to how many businesses can register, and registration will continue up until the week before the event takes place, Curry said.
Businesses already registered include Southern Healthcare Agency, Mississippi Army National Guard, Ace Training Center, America’s Catch Inc., Baptist Health Systems, Viking Range LLC, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Mississippi State Personnel Board, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Baxter Healthcare Corp., KLLM Transport Services and Love Vets Ministries.
Other resources will be provided, including information on academic institutions such as colleges and universities for applicants who might want to further their education. Institutions that have already registered are Mississippi Valley State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University Shreveport, and Louisiana State University of Alexandria. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security will help with resumes and job applications and have the equipment to print copies.
For the first time, participants in the job fair will be able to sign up with the WIN Job Center or Mississippi Delta Community College to take the ACT national career readiness exam.
The exam tests a worker’s skills in three areas: reading for information, applied mathematics and location information.
“It will help us in our effort to become a work ready community because we will have some companies there who will need to sign up as supporters of the work ready community,” Curry said. “We will have some individuals there who can help us reach our testing goals.”
This job fair is intended not only to enhance the community’s work readiness but also to improve the economy and reduce unemployment rates.
The unemployment rate for Greenwood for June was at 8.8 percent and 10 percent for June 2016, Curry said.
“I think that the ultimate goal is for our people to find employment,” she said. “Being employed and being able to earn a wage just trickles down into so many other things.”
Curry said she recommends job seekers show up dressed to impress, confident and with a resume in hand.
Companies can register for the job fair for a fee of $125 at www.jobfairs.ms.gov. Click on the tab that says “Online Employer Registration.”
•Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
