MORE than 3,500 people hit the stalls of the Southampton Guildhall for the annual Daily Echo jobsfair.

Thousands of Hampshire residents grabbed the opportunity to speak to employers in all manner of industries, from healthcare to engineering, at the fair, run in association with Best Buy.

As doors opened at 10am there were hundreds of recruits waiting for their first glimpse at almost 30 different stalls offering apprenticeships, graduate jobs and regular full-time employment.

Nextstep were on hand with their CV clinic helping create the perfect resume, while others browsed the Daily Echo website for the many jobs offered online.

A huge range of candidates came forward looking for work including college and university students, recently redundant people and those just keeping an eye on available opportunities.

Dale Yarney, who previously visited the jobsfair when unemployed, has now found work but came to this year’s event to keep an eye on the jobs market.

Dale, 35, from Eastleigh, now works in an administrative role. He said: “The jobsfair really helped me when I was unemployed, and as a result of it I was able to apply for a few different things.

“Anyone who is unemployed should be down here.

“All the exhibitors are very helpful and there’s plenty of opportunities for people to have a look at.

“I’ve been employed for three years now, but I know what it’s like, I was made redundant from the railways in Eastleigh.

“At the time I found out but was still working there, the jobsfair was on and it helped me get back on my feet.

I applied for around three jobs as a result and eventually found work.”

With more than 3,500 people attending the jobsfair, event organiser Jess Butts was delighted with this year’s attendance.

Jess said: “It’s been another hugely successful year for the jobsfair, with thousands of people coming along to the Guildhall.

“The show has been really busy all day and it was great to see so many people coming through the doors in the first hour, as well as the rest of the day.

“We’ve seen a great range of candidates and applicants visiting the show and we hope the experience will mean lots of people finding their way back to employment.”

For a huge amount of jobs on offer in Southampton and Hampshire, don’t miss our jobs supplement in the Southern Daily Echo every Thursday.