Chamber Uses Web to Attract R?sum

The Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce is already getting results from the latest features introduced on its Web site, www.rogerslowell.com.

Tom Ginn, the organization’s vice president of business development, said he’s seen a 25 percent spike in résumé submissions since this summer when the chamber added a job opportunities hyperlink. The flow of résumés and inquiries from out-of-area workers gives chamber members employee leads and functions as a “feeler” mechanism for the applicants.

“At times, we’ve had more activity than others,” Ginn said. “But with a lot of kids wanting to get back to the area for school (at the University of Arkansas), lately we’ve been having 15 or more come in per week.”

The résumés may be attached to an e-mail or actually built on the site. They’re distributed to a list of more than 50 local employers, recruiting companies and local employment offices who are part of the Chamber’s 1,200 members. Ginn said it’s good exposure both for the job seekers and for Northwest Arkansas companies.

“The vast majority of people who e-mail our office are looking to relocate here,” Ginn said. “Sometimes they just want an information packet, and sometimes they want to get their résumé out. We’re working with some other Chambers to get something like this going region-wide.”