THE job fair is well under way at The Anvil, with jobseekers and people looking to make a career move flocking to the venue.

The free-to-attend fair began at 10am and will continue until 5pm today, it will host an array of companies across a number of sectors, colleges and more signed up to be present at the event which is free to attend, with no sign-up required.

The event has been organised by The Gazette in association with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

A company at the Anvil today included All Care – a private home care service that provide high quality care for the elderly and disabled in their own home.

Sue O’Brian and Siouxsie Aplin, both working at All Care, said: “We were here last year and we interviewed and hired a person as a result of the jobs fair here at the Anvil.

“It’s important to raise awareness and is important for us to get out and make ourselves known.

“We are here today with the view to meet new people who could be ideal candidates for the jobs we are offering.”

Throughout the rest of the day there’ll be a packed seminar programme giving advice and guidance on a range of topics from CV writing to succeeding at interviews as well as interactive workshops, courtesy of the Watermill Theatre, and clinics run by Basingstoke Job Centre and National Careers Service.

Olivia Milnes visited the Jobs fair this morning along with her friend Ellie Dance, they have both just finished college and were looking for alternatives to university.

Olivia said: “We are here to see what kind of options there are.

“We don’t really know what we want to do, I want to work in a school but I’m just keeping my options open and seeing what there is here at the fair.”

The organisations already there are Peter Symonds College (for adult & higher education) Active Assistance, All Care GB Ltd, Basingstoke Job Centre, National Careers Service, St Michael’s, Home Care, Priority Appointments, Nurse Plus, Barchester Healthcare, Abicare Services Ltd, Future, Home Care, Vitacress.

They will be providing valuable advice and opportunities for those seeking jobs and support in changing employment for the rest of the day.

When asked what skills and characteristics an ideal candidate would have, Karen Cleaver from Elysium healthcare said: “We are looking for people who are caring, motivated, kind, reliable.

“Most importantly want to help people and make a difference to those who suffer with mental health issues.”

The job fair is continuing until 5pm at The Anvil.