Goodwill® to Host Virtual and On the Ground Career Fairs during Goodwill Industries Week

Social Enterprise Strengthens Its Commitment to Help Millions Find Jobs

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Apr 24, 2014, 08:00 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, nearly 11 million Americans are unemployed, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen recently said that the number of part-time workers who would rather have full-time jobs is "much larger" than normal for an economy with a 6.7 percent unemployment rate.

Working to combat the employment challenges so many Americans are facing today, Goodwill will hold on-the-ground and virtual career fairs during the week of May 4-10, bringing together nearly 700 employers and 12,000 job seekers for events that provide on-roads to employment and career advancement.

In 2013, Goodwill Industries provided job placement and career services to 9.8 million people, up 46 percent from the 6.7 million people served in 2012. The career fairs, to be held at locations across the United States and Canada and online, reflect Goodwill's responsiveness to current community needs, as well as its rich history of helping people reach their full potential through the power of work. The timing of the career fairs serves to commemorate the organization's annual Goodwill Industries Week.

Goodwill is the nation's leading nonprofit provider of job training, employment placement services and other community based programs, and funds these critical services by selling donated clothing and household items.

"Goodwill has helped people gain the opportunity to become self-sufficient through the power of hard work for 112 years," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Now more than ever, people in communities across the nation are seeking jobs that will ultimately change their lives and change futures. When you give to Goodwill, you are helping people who face challenges to finding employment, because of a lack education or work experience, a physical or mental disability, or other disadvantaging conditions."

During this commemoration, 50 Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada will host a variety of events, including more than 113 on-the ground career fairs and hiring events, donation drives and celebrations highlighting growth, achievements and the impact Goodwill has in the communities in which it serves.

Goodwill Industries International's third annual virtual career fair, from May 5-7, will utilize Intercall, a virtual meeting technology platform that will enable job seekers to meet online with employers and apply for jobs from any location. Goodwill expects more than 7,500 job seekers to participate in this year's virtual career fair. Nine major employers will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about their companies, ask questions of online recruiters and submit resumes for jobs.

Participating employers include Dell, a worldwide technology and business solution provider; the University of Phoenix (Apollo Group), one of the world's largest private education providers; Cintas, an identity uniform program manufacturer and business protection product provider; The Brickman Group, a national leader in landscape management; C&K, a world class provider of managed services and retail solutions; Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a vehicle auction company; Retail Control Systems, a complete point of sale provider; and RightPath Resources, a leadership and talent development company.

The Goodwill Virtual Career Fair will also offer virtual workshop webinars each day from May 5-May 7 on career advice and topics such as resume writing, interviewing and understanding what employers are looking for in today's hiring market.

"This Goodwill Industries Week, we thank you for your continued support which keeps alive a century-old vision, 'work transforms lives', "said Gibbons. "We encourage you to continue playing a part in shaping our future by living up to the ideals expressed in our motto, 'Donate stuff, Create jobs'."

For more information on Goodwill Industries Week and in-person and virtual career fairs, visit www.goodwill.org.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with a presence in 14 other countries. Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,900 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com^®. Goodwill also builds revenue and creates jobs by contracting with businesses and government agencies to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2013, more than 9.8 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services.

To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter:@GoodwillIntl, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

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SOURCE Goodwill Industries International