Good news for job seekers

COLUMBUS

There may be good news for about 78,000 out-of-work Ohioans.

Because that’s roughly how many job openings are listed on OhioMeansJobs.com, the much-touted joint effort of the state and Monster.com to provide an easy-to-use, online means for employers in the state to connect with potential future employees.

And what better way to peruse the website than with some deep-fried delicacy in hand, via the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services booth at this year’s Ohio State Fair?

No, I’m not making light of the plight of the 500,000-plus Ohioans who are out of work. That’s serious stuff — more so given the news that the June unemployment rate rose after months of steady decline.

Gov. John Kasich said the uptick may be the result of more people looking for jobs — the state’s overall work force increased 10,600 during the month.

National average

And, he said, Ohio’s 8.8 percent rate in June was still under the national average of 9.2 percent, also an increase from May stats.

“This is a long process,” the governor said. “This state was in the ditch, dying. So you don’t fix it overnight. But what I will tell you is when we jump 11 places in terms of business friendly and when our credit improves when everybody else’s credit is going down those are all good signs. We’re on the right track.”

Part of the governor’s strategy for staying on track is providing a way for Ohio employers to connect with unemployed residents, which is where OhioMeansJobs.com comes into play.

Ohioans seeking employment can register on the site, search job openings and post their r sum s. Businesses can post job openings and search through resumes for potential future employees.

“We’re pushing this site as the premiere r sum bank for the state of Ohio,” said Michael Colbert, ODJFS director.

You can access the website from your home computer or at the library, but if you want some assistance, state officials will guide you through the process at the State Fair, which runs through Aug. 7 in Columbus.

One day last week, the ODJFS booth also played host to a job fair, enabling attendees to talk to companies that were hiring.

“You can apply for a job,” Colbert said. “You can apply for [unemployment] benefits. You can see what you qualify for. And we’ve got the employers here to take your r sum s and do an interview right here on site. It’s a full-service stop for individuals that are looking for a job.”

Not to mention the $2 corn dogs.

Marc Kovac is The Vindicator’s Statehouse correspondent. Email him at mkovac@dixcom.com or on Twitter at OhioCapitalBlog.