HUNDREDS took the opportunity to chat to the people who could be their next employers at the latest Daily Echo Job Fair.

The day-long event, sponsored by major Dorset employer LV=, brought together almost 30 organisations.

Job hunters and career-changers met recruiters at the Premier Inn on Bournemouth’s Westover Road.

Kimberley Peach, customer service representative at LV=, said: “We’ve had a lot of really good people coming in, interested in all sorts of roles, and have been putting our name out there even more and getting candidates.”

Lauren Herring, talent acquisition associate at LV=, said it was a good opportunity to talk to job-hunters informally.

“It’s a chance to explain a bit better who we are as a company and a real passion comes through,” she said.

She said the financial services mutual offered a family-style atmosphere.

“No matter which department you’re in, it’s all about teamwork and that team spirit. It’s like a family you work with,” she added.

Angela Boyer, sales and events manager at the Daily Echo, said the event saw more than 400 visitors in the first two hours.

“It’s great to have so much support from local employers,” she said.

“Once again we’ve already had hundreds of people through the door, interested in talking to them about such a great range of opportunities,” she added.

Jocelyn Thistelthwaite, senior recruitment coordinator for Bournemouth-based health insurer Health-on-Line, said its team were looking to fill roles in departments including IT and customer services.

The expanding company now has 500 staff and was recruiting for both its Bournemouth head office and Bristol operation. “It’s a really exciting time,” she said.

Joanna Pearson is operations manager at Branksome Park Care, a 59-bedroom home providing nursing care for people with disabilities.

“We think it’s worth coming to get our name out there,” she said.

“If we find one person that we can employ, it’s worth coming.”