By John Howell Sr.

Need a job?

Your best chances for finding one will come this Thursday at the Batesville Civic Center at the Northwest Mississippi Area Job Fair.

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. upwards of 50 employers will be on the civic center floor looking for workers. A variety of jobs will be available. One company is looking for truck drivers, another for restaurant managers and assistant managers. Tri-Lakes Medical Center is looking for RNs, LPNs and other medical specialties. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) will have information about programs that will pay the cost of training a person for a better job.

Last year, over 1,200 people looking for work attended the Job Fair in Batesville. On that day, 574 of them received job offers. During the year that followed, 468 were hired as a result of contact made on the day of the 2009 Job Fair.

“I expect a lot of job offers,” said Job Fair Network Director Joe Buckner.

Buckner offered this advice for job seekers who attend:

• Come to the job fair dressed like you would for an interview;

• Make arrangements for your children before the job fair;

• Bring your resume if you have one. (Copy machines will be available to make as many copies as you need.);

• Be there when the doors open at 9 a.m.;

• Come with a positive attitude.