Cambria County and Regional Job Fairs – Why They Work and What You Should Know

An opportunity to network in person is a time to let yourself shine! Job fairs provide opportunities to meet in person with potential employers, which has been difficult during the pandemic. Local employers have large numbers of job openings and have been highly competitive recently in their starting wages and benefit offerings. Cambria County and all of the Southern Alleghenies region work to provide the job fairs and educate the job seeker to make the most of each event. The 2021 job fair season is no different, with events offered free to the public.

“Our large job fair will be held on Tuesday, September 28th. This annual Cambria County Job Fair is from 12:00 to 5:00 at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. With 70+ employers and over 500 job seekers annually, the Cambria County Job Fair is one of the most important and successful events in our region,” says Jeff Dick, Site Administrator for PA CareerLink® Cambria and Somerset Counties. “It’s essential now when so many people need jobs, and we are expecting close to 90 companies this year. There are jobs in the area, and this is an opportunity to find one.”

If you are currently looking for work in our region or know someone else looking, this event is not to be missed!

Free benefits include:

• The opportunity to meet in person with many employers – this in-person time can lead to applying for a position on the spot or to follow-up interviews. Please come dressed professionally with copies of your resume. Check out the list of companies attending the Job Fair at https://www.facebook.com/CambriaCountyJobFair/ to determine your networking plan!
• The opportunity to participate in free workshops before the Job Fair to ensure you are prepared. This training session is called “Employer Expectations and Your Job Search.” Hosted by PA CareerLink® Cambria County, the training covers resume writing, interview techniques, Zoom and social media etiquette, employer expectations, job retention, and preparing for a job fair.

Save the date to prepare for the job fair. This preparation is offered on September 20, 22, or 24, 1:00 – 2:30 PM at the PA CareerLink® Cambria County Library Community Room, 248 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. To register to attend, call (814) 534-2500

 For additional support,

•  There is a Resource Center staffed by PA CareerLink® Cambria County who will be available to answer questions and guide you on how to navigate the job fair. There will be access to copy machines for additional resume needs.
•  All job seekers who want personalized help may request a Career Advisor who will provide one-on-one support and education about potential PA CareerLink® services that may be of benefit. Contact your local PA CareerLink office to connect with a Career Advisor free of charge.

PA CareerLink® Cambria County works closely with JARI (an economic development agency that serves Cambria and Somerset Counties and parts of the Southern Alleghenies region) to plan and run the Cambria County Job Fair.

Debi Balog, Director of Workforce Development for JARI and Chairperson of the Cambria County Job Fair Committee, says, “We missed a year in 2020 because of the pandemic but are thrilled to be partnering with PA CareerLink® Cambria County for this 24th annual Cambria County Job Fair. I have been partnering with PA CareerLink® Cambria County for more than 20 years on the planning and successful execution of this event.”

It is a team effort with Cambria County Job Fair Committee members, including representation from the Veterans Leadership Program, Remove the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Commonwealth Technical Institute, and Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies. In addition, PA CareerLink® Cambria County and JARI work closely with the Committee from initial planning and marketing of the job fair to the management of logistics and job seeker support at the event.

 

Cambria County Job Fair Success:

CJL Engineering (CJL) Johnstown branch has attended the Cambria County Job Fair many times. According to Brenda Szelong, CJL Office Manager, “The Cambria County Job Fair is very well organized and well thought out. It’s very accommodating for both employers and job seekers. They have a strong committee making it happen every year.” She goes on to add, “We want to hire local talent, people who are invested in Johnstown or are willing to move here. We’re a part of the local fabric and feel it’s important to have a presence at an event of this magnitude in the local area.”

CJL  has used PA CareerLink® Cambria County services for years, including their On-the-Job Training Program and internship programs to find employees, in addition to finding a stellar employee at the 2019 Cambria County Job Fair. That employee, Kim McMullen, has been with CJL ever since, citing that her role as CJL Commissioning Administrator directly results from meeting Brenda at the Job Fair.

Like CJL Kim used PA CareerLink® Cambria County services. She found out about the job fair from her Career Planner . She “knew the lingo,” Brenda says, and the two were able to connect through their shared understanding and use of PA CareerLink® services. Kim approached CJL and let them know she was a designer and qualified to participate in the On-the-Job Training program. It started the conversation, and then CJL kept going back to her resume after the job fair. That led to interviews and Kim’s current position.

Riggs Industry is another regional success story. Shawn Kaughman, from Riggs Industries, also sits on the Workforce Development Board and shares that he has been part of several job fairs offered by PA CareerLink®. “I am a big supporter of PA CareerLink® large job fairs and have done industry-specific and informational sessions. It’s an opportunity to connect with future employees and the community. The Cambria County Job Fair has the most foot traffic of any fair we attend,” says Shawn .

Hear more job fair guidance from Jeff Dick, Site Administrator for PA CareerLink® Cambria and Somerset Counties, on our YouTube Channel:

 

 

FAQs for Job Seekers

• Why are the Cambria County and other PA CareerLink® Job Fairs so unique? Local employers have open jobs, and they want to talk with you. This year, for example, Conemaugh Hospital has 280 openings. Large and small businesses alike are lined up to attend, with more registering daily. It is a diverse group of employers spanning a wide array of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, transportation, and education, to name a few. Past Cambria County Job Fairs have had as many as 1,000 job seekers in attendance!
• How do I register to attend the Cambria County Job Fair? Registration is not required for job seekers; however, we highly encourage you to call PA CareerLink® Cambria County at (814) 534-2500 to register for the workshops to be prepared.
• Do I have to live in Cambria County to attend? Not at all! The Job Fair is open to all job seekers interested in employment with a business located in our region. There may also be virtual positions available.
•  Is there a deadline for registration? There is no deadline for registration, but the earlier, the better to take advantage of the workshops to ensure you are prepared and make the most of the event!
• What is the Job Fair experience like? PA CareerLink Cambria County, JARI, and the Cambria County Job Fair volunteers have been doing this event for 24 years now. It is thoughtfully organized to provide job seekers and employers with a professional environment to meet and greet and discuss potential job fits. There is a registration area, a Resource Center, and rooms for interviews.
• What should I do to prepare? Call PA CareerLink® Cambria County at (814) 534-2500 to register for the free workshop “Employer Expectations and Your Job Search.” You’ll learn a lot and be prepared for the career fair. Also, remember you can request a Career Advisor for one-on-one support.
• Are there other upcoming Job Fairs that I should know about? Yes! There are additional upcoming job fairs throughout PA CareerLink® Southern Alleghenies. We recommend that you follow us on social media for smaller and new job fair opportunities. Other large upcoming job fairs include:
  • Blair County Job Fair – Jaffa Shrine – October 6th: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, hosted by PA CareerLink – Blair County. Approximately 80 employees will be in attendance representing almost all local industries. Contact PA CareerLink® Blair County at 814-940-6200 to register. (The 9:30 time slot is available for veterans only.)
  • Huntingdon County Job Fair – October 7th from 10-2. The job fair will be held at the Smithfield Fire Hall and the first half hour of the event will be for veteran’s only.
  • Fulton County/Fulton County Medical Center Job Fair – October 27th – 9 AM to 3 PM

FAQs for Employers  

• I have open positions and would like to attend the Cambria County Job Fair; what do I do?  To register to participate as an employer, call PA CareerLink® Cambria County at (814) 534-2500. The registration deadline is September 10th. The exhibitor fee is $95.00 per table. It is a tremendous opportunity to meet with job seekers in person.
• What job fair services does PA CareerLink® provide the employer? PA CareerLink® also provides a wide array of job fair services to employers free of charge. Services include marketing, coordination, set-up, planning, and running the job fair. We offer individual company job fairs as well as host industry-specific fairs. We also host informational sessions for employers in which employers present their company information and open positions, and afterward, job seekers can meet with Human Resources. We also host ‘open interview’ sessions. Personalized company job fairs can be held at PA CareerLink® facilities (classrooms, computer labs, community rooms).

Contact your local PA CareerLink® office to plan your next job fair! Your dedicated Employer Representative will work with you to design a job fair that works.