Goodwill® and Monster.com to Host Virtual Career Fair

Inaugural Online Event Will Connect Employers with Robust Candidate Pool

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries International, the nation's leading nonprofit provider of job placement and training programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and others who face challenges to finding employment, will launch its inaugural virtual career fair from May 7–10. Sponsored by Cintas and hosted by Monster.com, the virtual career fair will supplement Goodwill's community-based career fairs, allowing employers around the United States and Canada to refine their recruiting strategies, expand their candidate pools, and reach individuals who may not be able to attend an in-person fair.

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Goodwill's 165 member agencies in the United States and Canada create a variety of opportunities that help people gain and maintain valuable employment. Goodwill also connects employers to its vast pool of talented, trained workers. Many local Goodwill agencies host career fairs in their communities — both intimate hiring events to introduce employers to new graduates of Goodwill training programs, and large public career fairs designed to create maximum access to successful employment outcomes for job seekers and employers alike. These career fairs are open to people of all backgrounds, such as veterans returning to civilian life, single mothers, seniors who need to learn new skills, and people with criminal backgrounds, among others.

"Goodwill has been connecting people to employment opportunities for 110 years," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "The virtual career fair extends this mission into a new arena by offering employers a new way to connect with our pool of trained workers, and giving the people we serve new opportunities to become economically self-sufficient through the power of hard work."

The virtual career fair will take place in conjunction with Goodwill Industries Week. Since 1951, Goodwill agencies across the United States and Canada have reserved the first full week of May to celebrate the organization's mission of enhancing the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating challenges to finding work, as well as helping people access employment training opportunities and community-based services, such as financial education, transportation and youth mentoring. This year, from May 6 ­–12, Goodwill Industries Week will include a variety of events in communities across the United States and Canada, including more than 100 local career fairs at 36 Goodwill agencies and the inaugural virtual career fair.

For registration or to learn more, visit: http://goodwillvirtualcareerfair.imastelabs.com.

ABOUT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 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 more than 2,600 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, more than 4 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 82 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at http://goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl or find us on Facebook at GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International