Greetings from Return to Roots!

In this issue:

• Greetings from Return to Roots!
• Governor Kaine Announces 55 New Jobs in Grayson County
• Careers With Most Job Growth
• Send Us Your Success Stories!
• Deliver a Knock Out Interview
• Interesting Jobs Available
• Job Quest Guests Offer Advice for Most Vulnerable Workers

Greetings from Return to Roots!

For an employer, that is 1,631 potential employees. For the region, that is not only 1,631 people looking at the website to come work in Southwest Virginia, that is the families that will follow those individuals to the region; that is tax and entertainment dollars not to mention living expenses coming to the region and being spent here in Radford, Richlands, Abingdon, Norton, Grundy and beyond.

Those 5,018 page views represent all the information people have been seeking about Southwest Virginia. They're learning what the to do in a weekend in Smyth County and where in Lee County they should live and send their children to school among other things.

Our mission has always been to encourage people to join the Southwest Virginia community through the processes of promoting communities, advertising careers, and establishing businesses. We're asking you to come home; give the website a chance and if you have any questions or concerns ever with the site, to please let us know.

Visit www.RTRSWVA.org and see how we're working to support your community!

We thank you for your support and promise to continue to promote the region as best as we possibly can.

Governor Kaine Announces 55 New Jobs in Grayson County
Carolina Profile Design Corp. to invest $3 million in expansion

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Carolina Profile Design Corp., a lithographic commercial printing company, will invest $3 million to expand in Grayson County, creating 55 jobs. The company will add a metal machining process to its existing operations. Virginia successfully competed with Illinois, North Carolina and Pennsylvania for the project.

"Carolina Profile Design has been a corporate staple in Grayson County since 1990," Governor Kaine said. "This expansion will enable the company to manufacture high-end metal parts for machinery and after-market products that are in demand around the world. In a region that has been hit by the economic downturn and offers an available workforce, 55 new jobs are significant."

Carolina Profiles began in 1990 as a machine shop with considerable capability in designing plastic recycling equipment. The company now operates both a sophisticated machine design and production shop and some specialized commercial printing.

"We at Carolina Profiles appreciate the natural beauty, the lifestyle and the friendly attitude of Grayson County and Western Virginia," said Helmar Nielsen, President, Carolina Profile Design Corp. "The state and county government have been very helpful, particularly with employee training, which is a major requirement of our machining operation."

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Grayson County and Virginia's aCorridor to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $100,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Grayson County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $150,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

Read More...

Careers with Most Job Growth

Demand for personal financial advisors is projected to grow a whopping 41 percent between 2006 and 2016. Which other careers on Money and PayScale.com's list of America's best jobs will see big opportunities?

1. Telecommunications Network Engineer

Best Jobs rank: 30
10-year growth: 53 percent
Current total employment: 21,000

Traditionally hired to control and maintain power grids and communications for phone and cable companies, telecommunications network engineers are seeing demand from potential employers rise with the demand for Wi-Fi, broadband and other new technologies.

Telecom has gone green, too: Energy and environmental companies have opportunities galore for engineers to help build communications infrastructure for their new products.

2. Systems Engineer

Best Jobs rank: 1
10-year growth: 45 percent
Current total employment: 88,000

Systems engineers possess a wide breadth of knowledge and engineering skills that have long been widely sought within the aerospace and defense industries. Now companies from car manufacturers to consumer products firms are quickly realizing the value of systems engineers as well, leading to a hiring boom.

Read More...

Send Us Your Success Stories!

We are continuously looking for success stories to feature on our website. We would love to hear from you if you have been interviewed or hired by anyone using the Return to Roots  program since registering with us.If you have a success story, please email Carl Mitchell, Program Manager, cmitchell@vebinc.org.

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Deliver a Knock Out Interview

Your carefully prepared cover letter and résumé paid off. You’ve landed an interview. Get ready—in advance—to make a good impression.

• Confirm the interview appointment. Do this one day before your interview. Know the date, time, and location of the interview. Try to find out how long you’ll be there. And make sure you have your contact’s phone numbers in case you have to call.
• Clear your calendar. If possible, keep your schedule free of any other commitments. The interview might run over or you could be asked to stay longer. Explaining that you have to be somewhere else could create an awkward situation.
• Say their names correctly. If you know the names of interviewers in advance, confirm the pronunciation and spelling.
• Be on time. Don’t arrive more than 10 minutes early and, most important, don’t be late. Arriving late not only labels you as rude, it also makes you seem unreliable. If unforeseen circumstances arise and you must be late, do everything you can to call ahead of time.
• Dress to impress. How embarrassing to come to an interview and discover you’re underdressed. If possible, find out in advance what attire works. If you’re still not sure, wear a suit. There’s no such thing as overkill when dressing for an interview.
• Let them know you’ve arrived. Walk up to the receptionist, smile, shake hands, introduce yourself, and state that you have an appointment. Offer your résumé or business card and wait.
• Shut off the cell phone. Unless there’s a bona fide crisis, turn off your cell phone or pager.
• Use your mouth for talking only. Unless the interview is scheduled with a meal, nothing should be in your mouth but words. Drinking, eating, smoking, and chewing gum don’t work during an interview.
• Prepare a short information statement. Be ready to answer the dreaded question, “Tell me about yourself and your background.” Your statement should include some information on the types of companies and industries you have worked for, your strengths, your transferable skills, and some of your personal traits. Practice saying this statement until it feels natural.
• Be prepared to talk about your successes and experiences. The employer will want to find out about your past experience—successes and failures, your work ethic, and your track record. Be able to amplify every item on your résumé.
• Be nice. Everyone you meet during your interview—from the receptionist to the interviewer—should be treated with respect and courtesy. The receptionist might not be conducting the interview, but his or her opinion of you might be solicited.
• Follow up. Send a thank you letter within a day of the interview. Provide any documents that might have been requested, such as references, an employment application, or samples of your work. A few days later, call to express your continued interest and to see if you could offer more information.

Interesting Jobs Available!

Position: Marketing Manager
Target: Management (Manager/Director of Staff)
Employer: United Pet Group
Location: Blacksburg - Virginia

Description: Will be resp. for the dev. & implementation of mktg. strategies & tactics for products in export markets of Latin America, Caribbean & Australia/New Zealand; writes annual mkt. plans & monitors perform. against sales/profit goals; customize ext. product lines; dev. & implement mkt. plans; dev. & manage export advertising & promotion budget; dev. pricing; resp. for maintaining profit margins, eval. ongoing business & new products & promo. opportunities.

Position Requires:
Bachelor's degree in marketing 6 yrs. exp. in international marketing. Experience must include marketing U.S. based brands to key markets in Latin America & Caribbean.
Must be English/Spanish bilingual.
Must have strong analysis skills and strong computer skills.
M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Position: Regional Coordinator Office of Justice and Peace
Target: Mid Career (2+ years of experience)
Employer: Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Location: Norton Virginia

Description: Commonwealth Catholic Charities is seeking a fulltime Regional Coordinator of the Office of Justice and Peace to be located in Norton, VA. The Regional Coordinator will be responsible for working directly with Catholic parishes in the area on issues of Catholic social teaching education, respect life, domestic poverty, prison ministry and other parish ministry and social justice concerns. Bachelor's degree in theology or ministry required. Master's degree preferred. Two to five years of social justice/parish ministry experience. This position requires that the individual be a practicing Catholic in good standing. Send resume to: HR, PO Box 6565, Richmond, VA 23230, fax 804-545-5965 or email human.resources@cccofva.org. EOE

Position: Wellness Center Facility Director
Target: Senior Executive (President, CEO)
Employer: Carroll Wellness Center
Location: Hillsville, Virginia

Description:Carroll Wellness Center, a 28,000 square foot, non-profit family oriented wellness/fitness facility is seeking a Facility Director. The CWC facility offers recreational activities and exercise programs for all walks of life.

Overall responsibilities include financial, programmatic and operational management of the center. Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain certification as an ACSM or NSCA personal trainer, be qualified in facility management, financial management, program development and fundraising.

The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in a related field and at least 3 years of professional experience in related field.

Comprehensive position details and job description may be reviewed at http://cwc.chillsnet.org/ under the CWC Job Opportunities. Resumes accepted until December 1, 2009. Please send resume with cover letter and salary requirements to Board of Directors, Carroll Wellness Center, P. O. Box 1266, Hillsville, VA 24343 or e-mail it to cwcresumes@embarqmail.com. Written communication is required - no phone calls or walk -in applications will be accepted.

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"JobQuest" Guests Offer Advice for the Most Vulnerable Workers

The importance of having a GED (general equivalency diploma) was a featured topic during the Oct. 6 episode of "JobQuest," on Blue Ridge PBS. Guest experts were on the show to discuss the value of a GED, and how to prepare and pay for the test.

"People without a GED or high school diploma are really vulnerable," said Rebecca Scott, Program Manager for the Regional Adult Education Program of Lee, Scott, Wise and Norton Public Schools. In this economy, she explained, people without these basic credentials are three times more likely to lose their jobs when a company downsizes. People with degrees are now competing for jobs that were traditionally held by people without such credentials.

"JobQuest" host Julie Newman also took viewers on a tour of the Virginia Employment Commission web site where job seekers can find a wealth of resources, including thousands of job listings. Newman demonstrated how to navigate the web site, including how to use an interactive map feature that allows users to search for jobs by location.

Additional "JobQuest" highlights for the October episode included 60 new job listings compiled from across the region. Human resources experts were available at the phone bank and at Twitter.com to answer questions. Susan Geary, the "JobQuest" resume expert, was also back on the show with recommendations for the best resume writing books and resources.

The next episode of JobQuest will air Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:00pm on Blue Ridge PBS. For more information visit, http://www.blueridgepbs.org/html/local/jobquest.html.

Return to Roots is a proud partner of JobQuest.

Email JobQuest at jobquest@blueridgepbs.org

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Virginia's Great Southwest

Are you or someone you know interested in returning to or living inVirginia's Great Southwest? Be sure to visit www.swvaonline.org. This website provides information for locals, tourists, visitors and for newcomers relocating to Southwest Virginia.

Where's Your Competition?

The list you see above represents the top ten states that Return to Roots has had visiting the website. You're not the only ones with an eye on Southwest Virginia! Take a look! You may be surprised!

Local Events of SWVA

Bluegrass at WSW Radio Station

Bluegrass music played by the Peters Boys, Lawrence Winstead, Jimmy Williams,and others. Music listening only mostly old time, bluegrass, and gospel music. This is a walk in event, it may or may not be broadcast on the air. The public is invited. Wednesday evenings only.

Radford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Silent Auction

Radford Chamber of Commerce is "Going Global" …
at its Annual Meeting and Silent Auction

Come Celebrate 2009 and learn about the Chamber's Partnership with Radford University and the
Radford International Business Ambassadors Scholarship Program

November 7th, 2009
Radford FOP Building
(104 Pulaski St. - Radford VA)

Social - 5:30pm (Cash Bar)
Dinner Buffet - 6:30pm
Annual Meeting and Auction to Follow
Tickets on sale $25 each
Available at the Chamber Office: 639.2202, First Bank of VA: 633-21550

Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam at The Coffee Mill

The Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam is a bluegrass jam session held every Monday in the intimate environment of The Coffee Mill. Bring an instrument or just listen to the sounds of bluegrass and old-time mountain music played by local musicians. The jam appeals to a cross-section of folks, from old-school bluegrass fans to college students. A large crowd gathers every Monday, so get your table early. The Coffee Mill offers a selection of sandwiches, coffees, espresso drinks, pastries and desserts. The cafe hosts other musical events on Friday evenings.

1144 East Main St.
Radford, VA

Admission is free http://www.radfordfiddle.com/

Citizens for the Arts presents Kandinsky Trio

For over two decades, the Kandinksy Trio has delighted audiences in performances of high caliber chamber music in Europe, Canada and throughout the United States.

Richlands Middle School Auditorium
Single performance tickets:
Adults $20 at Door; $15 Advance
Children $15 at Door; $10 Advance (18 & under)

Date:
Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Telephone:
Phone: (276) 963-3385

Email:
CART@roadrunner.com

Website:
Tazewellcountyarts.org

Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre

Featuring Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, IIIrd Tyme Out, and the Williams and Clark Expedition

Join us for another performance in The Lincoln Theatre's award-winning bluegrass concert series. Song of the Mountains is also a nationally syndicated public television series and is offered to more than 190 stations nationwide. For more information on Song of the Mountains, visit www.songofthemountains.org.

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: reserved seating
Price: $25.00

Visit www.thelincoln.org

Blue Ridge PBS JobQuest