The May issue of Valley Business Front is out with Dan Cagle of Tek Systems on the cover. We were asked to contribute some content for the issue to help job seekers in the region. Please check out this issue and if you are reading this blog because of the issue, please register online at our database to receive additional help.

I have received numerous inquiries from people asking for job search assistance and it has prompted me to create a simple database capturing some information from the requester. If you would like assistance with your job search, then please complete this online form.

This video clip was shown on the CBS Evening News. It is a staggering visual and statistical attempt to show the current state of the labor market, especially for college students.

As I am beginning to work more closely with college students beginning to enter this market, this clip should grab their attention. At this week’s on campus job fair, there was not a good turnout of students despite over 80 employers in attendance.

The City of Roanoke is hosting another quarterly job fair to help seekers connect to employers. It is Monday morning from 9-12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. It’s free for everyone. Please plan to attend and tell others. Also here is how you should prepare for a job fair.

Job Fair from Carol Jennings on Vimeo.

The Blue Ridge Business Journal asked this question to me and several folks in the region. Thanks to BRBJ for asking. These are the types of questions we should be asking and holding people accountable whose job it is to produce this growth. Below are the folks who chimed in and here is the link to the full article. Follow BRBJ on Twitter.

Nancy Gray is president of Hollins University.

Beth Doughty is executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.

Cory Donovan is executivedirector of the NewVaCorridor Technology Council.

Wayne Strickland is executive director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission.

Joyce Waugh is president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Jay Foster is president of Roanoke-basedSoftSolutions Inc.

Matt Bullington owns the Texas Tavern in Roanoke.