Tuesday they hosted a first-of-its-kind Ask the Employer Roundtable at the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission office. The event brought in officials from several area companies who provided insight on job interviews and answered questions about compiling a resume from about a dozen residents, many of them looking for employment. "We felt it might provide helpful advice and direction for people seeking work right now," said Pam McCleave, a consultant at the Career Center. "The idea was for job seekers to learn how they can present themselves in the best possible way." The Career Center is packaging the discussion with another Warrenton Career Fair, scheduled March 11 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the American Legion Hall. Tuesday's program allowed employers such as the Warren County R-III School District, The Truesdale Packaging Plant, Tri-County Insurance, St. John's Mercy Hospital and the Children's Evangelical Fellowship (CEF) to talk candidly about items to stress when a job applicant prepares a resume. "Make sure everything is clear," said R-III Superintendent Dr. John Long, "and make sure the contact information you provide is up to date." Long said one of the points of a resume is to focus "on not getting deselected" when an employer reads information for the first time. Erin Horton, Human Resources manager for Coca-Cola in Truesdale, urged job applicants to match their resume to the position they apply for. "We're also interested in knowing what sets you apart," she added. "The relevance of what you delivered in your last job is important." Horton said job applicants have "about half a (computer) screen to get my attention. If you don't, I move on to the next one." Janice Dickemeyer of Troy attended Tuesday's session and quizzed the employer panel about the importance of a cover letter. "A cover letter can explain your resume more fully," said Marie Knierim, Human Resource Director at St. John's Mercy Hospital. Another member of the audience, Carol Knierle of Troy, asked the panel about her past work history which included stints as a 911 dispatcher and as a restaurant cook. Questions from Ron Hane of CEF, however, revealed Knierle was in charge of the food budget and supervised others when she worked as a cook. "Those qualities make you more valuable, more marketable," said Hane. Knierim told the audience not to be afraid to be aggressive in promoting their skills. "We were probably all taught not to boast about your accomplishments," she related. "But how am I going to know what you can actually do if you don't tell me?" Hane said he always asks himself two questions when considering whether to hire an employee. "I want to know if this person is going to still be here three years from now," he said, "and the second question is am I going to be glad they are? "If you can convince us of that, you're at the top of the list," he added.