Hundreds attend Rankin County job fair - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Hundreds attend Rankin County job fair

The Muse Center on the Hinds Community College campus in Pearl is typically filled with college students. However, doors opened to a more diverse crowd Wednesday morning. A fraction of Mississippi's unemployed handed out resumes and diligently filled out job applications anticipating a big break.

Vonita Hobson said she's attended numerous job fairs in the past. She's hoping this fair turns out better than others.

"At job fairs they always say you have good luck I haven't had one yet," said Hobson.

The Rankin County job fair is hosted by the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce and the Governor's Job Fair Network. In order to participate, employers must have immediate openings or an available job within the near future.

"We have new companies this year that have never joined us before which is very encouraging," said Adam Todd, the Director of the Governor's Job Fair Network.

The Rankin County job fair has been very successful in the past. In 2011,115 job seekers were hired the day of the fair. During that fair, nearly 250 people also left with a good chance of getting a job shortly after the event.

That's positive news to Coreather Lambert. Lambert has been unemployed 10 months and said she enjoyed the interaction with employers at the job fair.

"This way you get face contact with the individual the employers that are looking," said Lambert.

Professionals aren't the only ones looking for work. Students are competing for jobs too.

"Grad school is mandatory for my degree and I need to pay for that as well so it's very very very important that I find something today," said Amy Rose, a Jackson State University student.

Although Hobson has been unemployed for two years, she said she's optimistic she'll find something soon.

"I'm hoping, you have to have luck, but it might happen, you never know," said Hobson.

For more information on upcoming job fairs hosted by the Governor's Job Fair Network, go to jobfairs.ms.gov or email jobfair@mdes.ms.gov.

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