WILKES-BARRE — A variety of employers seeking to fill numerous positions will be at the 23rd annual Times Leader Spring Career Fair in April.
The career fair offers a one-stop job hunting experience under one roof and typically draws a crowd, giving companies an opportunity for recruitment.
“Last spring, the career fair attracted about 900 people and we had 58 vendors,” said Caitlin Akins-LaRue, event organizer. “We also had a snowstorm that day.”
The Times Leader Spring Career Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 at the 109th Field Artillery Armory, Wilkes-Barre.
At this point, 31 employers have registered for booths, Akins-LaRue said.
“Businesses have until April 15 to register,” she said. “Booth prices depend on the package they choose.”
Company representatives may call Akins-LaRue at 570-704-3977 to register for space at the career fair.
Some employers already on the roster include Multi-Plastic Extrusions Inc. of Hazleton, Gonnella Frozen Foods of Hazleton, Lowes, Home Depot, Golden Living Summit and the Pennsylvania State Civil Service Commission.
“This is my first time attending,” said Zac Onore, human resources generalist at Multi-Plastic Extrusions. “We thought we could tap into a larger area and get more job candidates. Our main focus is to fill mechanical engineering positions.”
Multi-Plastic Extrusions is always looking for entry-level positions, Onore said.
Job seekers should be prepared to make the most of the one-day event, Akins-LaRue said.
Tips to fine-tune resumes and how to network an employment fair are available through the Pennsylvania Career Link in Wilkes-Barre.
“We are holding special workshops on Monday, March 28 to prepare job seekers for the upcoming regional job fairs,” Christine Jensen, administrator at the Pennsylvania CareerLink in Wilkes-Barre said in an email.
Workshops called “Preparing for a Job Fair” will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 28 at Pennsylvania CareerLink, 32 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre. Also, resume review services will be available at 10 a.m. the same day.
Another tip Jensen offers job seekers is to “prepare an ‘elevator speech,’ a 30-second presentation
about who you are, your skills and experience and what type of opportunity you are seeking.”
“If they are in the market for a new job, they should be able to present this at a moment’s notice in the instance they have the opportunity,” she said.
Other job fair strategies from CareerLink’s website, www.careerlinkwilkesbarre.org, include:
• dress professionally;
• prepare and make several copies of your resume;
• research companies;
• take a black ink pen and a small tablet; and
• be prepared to fill out applications.
