EXHIBITORS expect Kent Messenger Careers Expo 2002 to be just the job. Last year's Expo was so successful, they said, that they did not want to miss out this year.

The 2002 event is being held at the Ramada Hotel and Resort (formerly the Great Danes Hotel) at Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, on Thursday and Friday, October 3 and 4.

It will be open from 9.30am until 7pm on the Thursday to give those already in employment an opportunity to visit. Friday opening times are 9.30am until 5pm.

Gerry Cassell, chief executive of New Appointments Group, the specialist recruitment and training company based in Sittingbourne with outlets countywide, said: "The first one was so successful for us that without any question we're back this year.Organisers promoted the event so well that the quality of visitors was very high.

"These weren't just people who were unemployed but people who were looking for the next step. The expo was a relaxed, informal atmosphere in which they could take their time over job choice.

"They ask much more penetrating question about what a job's going to offer, what a company is going to offer, and what development and training it's going to offer. It also gave a good spread of commercial businesses, it wasn't all dominated by the public sector."

He said that the location on the M20 and A20 was ideal and that encouraged people from all over Kent to visit the expo. "We certainly got a result," said Mr Cassell. "This is a good-quality exhibition on two sides - people who are looking for jobs and organisations that are looking for people."

Other companies that have confirmed attendance include Sandwich-based Pfizer, Kent Police, Tesco and Del Monte, whose stand will be a tropical-style beach hut. Judy Williams, Del Monte's UK human resources manager said that the expo was a great opportunity to look for enthusiastic employees.

She said: "We have some positions we need filling and as we have just expanded we are looking for good people. It seemed a very economical way of getting our name out to a wider variety of employees."

Sue Huntley, Kent Messenger Group classified manager, said: "Last year's event was a tremendous success and generated overwhelming response for many of the participants." She said that stand prices are competitively priced and included the cost of a promotional advertisement in a special supplement published before the event in the Kent Messenger newspaper.

Seminars will be held throughout the event, with tips on CV writing and interview techniques. For more information call KM classified manager Sue Huntley on 01622 794666.