Roseville Job, Career & Resource Fair Happens April 9

Online job applications are now the norm, but meeting face-to-face is still more advantageous for both job seekers and employers. Job fairs offer a valuable way to network and streamline the hiring process.

For more than a decade, the Roseville Area Job, Career & Resource Fair has provided this opportunity. This year it happens on Tuesday, April 9 at the Fairview Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The fair offers a chance for businesses to access a diverse local workforce. Beyond the general public, it involves working age students from a variety of high schools as well as regional adult education programs with students from all over the world.

Tim O’Brien, coordinator of the Adult Learning Center, helps organize the event. He says the fair started as a pet project of the Adult Basic Education Advisory Committee around the time of the economic downturn.

At that time, he says it focused more on resources for area job seekers since there weren’t a lot of jobs. The fair has evolved every year to include additional resources and businesses. About 70 vendors participated last year.

“Most of the vendors that come are veterans who know a lot about their organizations. They’re connectors who add a lot of value for participants,” says O’Brien, noting that attendees are encouraged to ask questions and show up with their resumes in hand to start the networking process.

“Every year it gets a little bit better, and we refine it a little bit,” says O’Brien. “This is the second year that the City of Roseville has combined efforts with us for the event. That has been a good collaboration.”

In 2018, more than 400 job seekers attended the event. O’Brien says that in-person contact with potential employers is a huge benefit for participants. He emphasizes that despite all the online job searches and applications, people still actually obtain jobs primarily by making personal connections.

Monarch Healthcare Management and FedEx Ground both participated in the job fair last year and had positive results. They’ll be back to recruit again on April 9.

Monarch Healthcare Management Human Resource Consultant Kami Patrin says the relatively new company is looking to engage with potential candidates to fill a range of jobs with benefits, from nursing to health information, therapeutic recreation and culinary service positions.

“I believe all job fairs are valuable. It is a great way for area businesses to network with each other while connecting with potential employees,” says Patrin.

Maiia Moua, talent acquisition coordinator for FedEx Ground, says the fair is good exposure for the company, which is looking to fill package handler positions.

“Based on last year’s job fair, there was a lot of candidate traffic and a lot of employers. The job fair stayed busy the entire time and the event coordinators kept everything very organized. I would absolutely recommend folks to participate in this job fair,” says Moua.

The Roseville Economic Development Authority (REDA) coordinates and administers economic development and redevelopment initiatives for the City of Roseville, MN. It serves as a comprehensive resource for businesses seeking to startup and grow in the area. In addition to prioritizing business retention and expansion, the REDA connects area employers with the dedicated and talented workforce they need to succeed and thrive.