Career Fair Bridges Gap Between Agencies and Job Seekers

From June 2019 West Virginia Department of Administration newsletter Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes

The 7th Annual West Virginia State Government Career Fair provided many job seekers with information about job opportunities within state government. More than 225 job seekers attended the event on May 15, 2019, at the Culture Center, and 50 state agency recruiters looking to fill open positions were present.

The Career Fair allowed agencies to interact one-on-one with individuals looking for jobs or hoping to begin a new career by letting them know what jobs are available in West Virginia's state government. In a time where most jobs only have online applications, the face-to-face interaction between job seekers and agencies has benefits.

Sheryl Webb, director of the Division of Personnel, said that being able to speak with representatives is an opportunity that most people don't get when looking for jobs that interest them.

"At the Career Fair, somebody that's looking for a job can talk to employees and say, 'What types of positions do you have available? This is my background,'" she said.

The Career Fair allowed agencies to clarify the roles that different positions hold within their organization.

"Being at the Career Fair allows us to talk about our careers," said Correctional Officer Lieutenant Sarah Dale. "People think that we are just security guards. We aren't security guards; we are correctional officers helping to correct behavior while also rehabilitating those individuals."

Meanwhile, attendee Travis Edwards appreciated the chance to attend the career fair and found some opportunities that interested him.

"The Career Fair is important because people are more able to find useful information that is normally hard to find," he said. "I found some interesting opportunities, and when I get home, I'm going to apply."

Agencies represented at the Career Fair included but were not limited to WorkForce WV, the Division of Highways, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Division of Natural Resources, the Office of Technology, and the WV State Tax Department.

To search a list of available jobs, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wv . For questions on how to complete the application process, call the Division of Personnel's Applicant Services at 304-558-3950.