For more than a year, the award-winning "JobQuest" series has presented viewers with a wealth of job hunting tips and resources. Now Blue Ridge PBS has compiled some of the most helpful video segments from past programs, to provide job seekers with an hour of "JobQuest" highlights.

"There have been so many employment experts and knowledgeable guests on the program. We really felt it was important to help job seekers with a broadcast that concentrates the best of 'JobQuest' in one episode," said Julie Newman, Executive Producer and host.

This special "JobQuest" broadcast features a number of how-to clips from certified resume writer Susan Geary. These video segments, originally from live broadcasts, cover topics such as resume trends and writing a first-rate cover letter. Geary developed an entire series of instructional videos for "JobQuest," which are all available online.

Other video highlights on the next "JobQuest" include a look at the most commonly asked interview questions, tips for how to best prepare for a job fair, and how to dress for success.

"JobQuest" became a popular educational resource by delivering content on air and online. So it is fitting that the best-of episode will feature video segments about using social media like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for job hunting. The program will also highlight some local resources that are available to job seekers.

"JobQuest" won four awards since the beginning of the year, including two prestigious outreach awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association. Blue Ridge PBS and "JobQuest" partner WDBJ7 shared a Laurence E. Richardson Community Service Award from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. Additionally, the program won an EDGE Award from the Association of Public Television Stations, recognizing "JobQuest" for groundbreaking partnerships and the use of educational technologies to deliver innovative services.

       June 2010       

Blue Ridge PBS wins Emmy Award for "JobQuest"
Station shares award with volunteers, community partners, members

Blue Ridge PBS has won a regional Emmy Award for "JobQuest," a 15-month long employment advice and information series that helped put people back to work. James Baum, station president and CEO, said he and Blue Ridge PBS staff accept the prestigious award on behalf of all the volunteers, community partners and viewers that made the broadcast a success. The Emmy is the broadcast industry's benchmark for the recognition of television excellence.

"JobQuest" was chosen as the winner in the community service category, and recognized during a June 5 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS-NCCB) presented the Emmy statuette to Julie Newman, Blue Ridge PBS executive producer and host of "JobQuest."

Sue Ann Staake-Wayne, President of NATAS-NCCB, said there were a record number of nominations this year, and the community service category award is one of the most admired.

"It's a special award, because it is judged by a blue ribbon panel, and given to a station as opposed to an individual," she explained.

Baum said "JobQuest" would not have been possible without the early and substantial involvement of so many dedicated volunteers and community partners, along with the steadfast support of viewers.

"'JobQuest' really was a collaborative, community project." he continued. "Our partners were particularly important. They did not simply lend their names and logos for publicity. All were enthusiastically and integrally involved in each live broadcast. We especially want to recognize The Roanoke Times and WDBJ7 for their special assistance."

       January 2010       

WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS share award for "JobQuest"
Virginia Association of Broadcasters recognizes stations for community service

"JobQuest," the popular advice and information program for job seekers, has won the Laurence E. Richardson Community Service Award from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB).

The award, the third within a week for "JobQuest,"  was announced Jan. 20 during VAB's annual legislative reception in Richmond, Va. It recognizes WDBJ7 for its contributions to "JobQuest," which airs twice a month on Blue Ridge PBS. The public service program has delivered significant benefits to the community during the past year. WDBJ7 President and General Manager Jeffrey Marks said the station would share the award with Blue Ridge PBS.

"Giving back to the community is something that our radio and television stations do in their individual markets on a regular basis. The Laurence E. Richardson Award is the perfect way for the Association to annually recognize the one outstanding community service program or activity that really touched a particular community," said Doug Easter, VAB Executive Director. "We are thrilled that WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS were able to join together to create and launch 'JobQuest' and that their program was a success for their region."

WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS teamed up with other community partners in late 2008, when the economy took a downturn, to create an interactive program that would help people get back to work. "We were delighted to work with our public television partner to produce this series," said Marks. "In a time when job seekers have needed hope, 'JobQuest' has done a real public service connecting people to work opportunities."

James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO, said "JobQuest" would not have been possible without the early and substantial involvement of WDBJ7 and other community partners. "WDBJ7 brought instant credibility and star power to the program," he explained. "They provided two very well recognized news anchors, Jean Jadhon and Keith Humphry, as hosts along with the time and talents of other news staff."

The VAB award trophy is presented in the name of Laurence E. Richardson, a past president of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, who set an impressive example of community service for all broadcasters. In determining the winner, impartial judges use specific criteria, including supporting documents from local organizations. The judges this year were from the National Association of Broadcasters.

"JobQuest" wins two national awards

JobQuest," has also won two prestigious outreach awards from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). The awards, which were presented Jan. 14 during NETA's annual conference in Henderson, Nev., recognize "JobQuest" for community impact and effectively coordinating community resources.

"These awards would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of many community partners," said James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO. "This is truly a statement about what can be accomplished through a collective commitment to public service."

"The bond we all shared was the desire to help the community in some way as the unemployment rates soared in our region," said Molly Bell, marketing manager for The Roanoke Times. "'JobQuest' evolved into an impressive and creative production, with interactive, multimedia resources for job seekers in a large and often under-served portion of Virginia."

Each "JobQuest" episode features 60 job listings from across the region, along with expert insights to shorten the job hunt. After a year of broadcasts and expanding online job hunting resources, "JobQuest" can measure its success in many ways, including some individual success stories.

           JobQuest community partners:

• The Roanoke Times/jobs.roanoke.com

• WDBJ 7

• Virginia Western & New River Community Colleges

• Roanoke's Economic Development Office

• The Roanoke Regional Office of the Virginia Employment Commission

• The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc.

• National College

• Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management

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