Anyone interested in finding a job or making a career change will have that opportunity during the Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services (CMJTS) Job Fair and Career Expo at Monticello High School March 26.

 

“This is their chance to interact one-on-one with businesses and industry and a chance to  make a great first impression,” says Tim Zipoy, Business Service Specialist with CMJTS.

 

Many companies today typically solicit employees online, asking them to fill out a resume or an application. The Job Fair is a better way to get a foot in the door, says Zipoy.

 

“It’s a great opportunity to talk first-hand with people, move beyond cyberspace and applying online,” he says. “It’s a way to use communication skills, interviewing and networking skills.”

 

This year’s event features companies offering careers in manufacturing, skilled trades, agriculture, construction, retail, education, transportation, healthcare, social services and business services. Many companies offer fulltime, part-time and summer jobs.

 

“It’s a tight labor market. There are more jobs than job seekers right now,” says Zipoy, “and businesses are making accommodations to attract employees, like youth apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training.”

 

The job fair is also a way for people in the area to find a career locally instead of commuting hours in traffic each day.

 

“This area is always competing with the Metro in the sense that we are exporters of talent from our area,” says Zipoy, “but there’s always great opportunities for jobs and career advancement right here closer to home.”

 

Some of those businesses (45 have already signed up to attend, with more than two weeks left) include Carpentry Contractors Company,  BCI Construction, Inc., Centra Sota Cooperative, Playhouse Child Care Center, Solar Plastics, JP's Coatings, MP Nexlevel, LLC, Nahan Printing, Spee Dee Delivery Service, Inc., Cargill, T.O. Plastics, UMC Inc., Options Inc., FedEx and Northstar Computer Forms. The entire list of business can be found on the Wright County Economic Development Partnership website: wrightpartnership.org, under the events tab.

 

This year, the job fair takes place in the Monticello High School fieldhouse from 1 until 5 p.m. Visitors also have a chance to win free gas cards during the event by putting their name in a drawing.

 

But the real opportunity is finding the right job.

 

“I would encourage people to talk to all the employers because you never know what they’re looking for.” says Zipoy.             

 

“Come dressed for business. Come with resumes, and prior to the event, stop over at CareerForce (formerly Workforce) to prepare to be successful and understand who’s there, how to interact with them, what kind of information to leave, what kind of conversation to have what sort information to get. Take full advantage of the opportunity.”