Nov. 5, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

CHICAGO, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.'s largest online job site and the largest private university in North America are teaming up to bring Charlotte job seekers a career fair that goes above and beyond just offering job opportunities. CareerBuilder and the University of Phoenix are putting Charlotte job seekers in touch with professional resume writers, image consultants and networking experts to help them retool their job-hunting approach and make themselves more marketable to employers.

In addition to job opportunities and career retooling sessions, best-selling author, educator and businessman Stedman Graham will offer a keynote address to attendees. Graham will share how his systematic approach to success, based on advancing life goals and aspirations, can help people become leaders of their own lives. Graham will also attend a special breakfast with University of Phoenix alumni and students and will hold a question and answer session after his address.

The "Build Your Career" event in Charlotte is taking place tomorrow at the Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. With the unemployment rate in North Carolina currently reported at 10.8 percent, there is an existing need for out-of-work professionals to hone their skills in order to find a new job in the increasingly competitive job market.

"This is one of the toughest job markets in the nation's history," said Randy White, General Manager of CareerBuilder Career Fairs. "A key way to be successful in your job search is to repackage your skills and experience for a variety of employers, so you can maximize your visibility. Our fair will have experts on hand that can help job seekers build a stronger resume, prepare for interviews, expand their networks and pursue further education to open the door to new opportunities."

Leading employers such as Bank of America, TIAA-CREF, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, Robert Half and Hertz will be on site in Charlotte to recruit candidates for job openings.

"We are under critical economic times and University of Phoenix is committed to helping North Carolinians find new career opportunities and develop new skills for job security," said Shannon Eckard, campus director of University of Phoenix's Charlotte campus. "Our goal is to help local residents find the opportunities that will allow them to become business leaders and make greater contributions to the growth and development of the Charlotte area."

While attendees make the rounds to meet with recruiters, they can also visit career makeover stations for one-on-one advice:

Regroup - Creating an Image and Developing Presence: Learn the keys to help you make an impactful first and lasting impression.