A couple dozen people piled into the George Washington Carver (GWC) Community Building Thursday and listened intently as Vivian Black, Career Facilitator with the Alabama Career Center in Selma, shared tips on searching for a job, crafting a solid resume or cover letter and standing out in an interview.

Black’s discussion was one of many that took place during Project Realizing Everyone’s Ability to Develop Yourself (READY), an annual job prep seminar hosted by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, as a prelude to her Job Fair, scheduled for Aug. 8 at Wallace Community College – Selma (WCCS).

During Project READY, participants are provided with information and resources to prepare them for the job hunt ahead – along with informative talks and breakout sessions, each participant was given a packet that included a list of “hot jobs” in the state, a directory of websites and resources aimed at helping people find work and more.

“This is a great turnout,” said Robert Stewart, Black Belt Outreach Coordinator for Sewell’s office. “It’s better than usual.”

Stewart said Sewell’s annual Job Fair, which attracted some 2,000 Selma job seekers when last it was hosted locally, is a success each year because Project READY prepares those looking for work to approach employers with dynamic résumés and interview skills.

“Project READY is where preparation meets potential opportunity,” Stewart said. “It’s our mission to meet our constituents where they are so they can successfully achieve gainful employment.”

The event featured a breakout session on professional etiquette, presented by Professional Learning Consultant Services CEO Dr. Tonya Chestnut and Selma University Religion and Philosophy Chairperson Otis Culliver, as well as a closing session on financial literacy led by Cynthia Jones, Assistant Branch Manager for Hope Credit Union in Montgomery.

“[Project READY] is important because we want to dispel the myth that there are no jobs in the area,” Stewart said. “It’s important because we want to expose our citizens to the opportunities in our area and expose employers to the talent in our community. And we have a lot of talent in this area.”