‘Hiring Events’ Remain Important For Employers, Jobseekers

Turns out career fairs aren't dead.  

Thirty employers are expected at a job fair Tuesday at the Lion's Gate Hotel in Sacramento. With the unemployment rate lower than last year, such career events are taking on a different character. 

"Hiring fairs will never go away, that's for sure,” said Karen Dawall, Recruitment Ad Director for Sacramento-based JobJournal.Com. 

She said many of the people showing up at recent events already have jobs. 

"We've been seeing a change in that more currently employed looking for their next career are showing up at the job fairs, I'd say within the last six months or so, since last summer,” said Dawall. 

Dawall also said the job fairs are important to employers who need to find people right away. 

"When they have a need to hire, they want to go ahead do it quickly and this is the quickest way for them to meet face-to-face with job seekers to see if they're qualified for their positions and get them in the process quicker," said Dawall. “As an example, if you're looking for an outside sales person, it's always a great way to be able to meet them face to face, see how charismatic they are, see if they're the right candidate with the right skill for your particular position, so there will always be a need for job fairs.” 

Dawal said JobJournal.Com has been putting on hiring events in Sacramento since 1992. 

The job fair is scheduled from Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Lions Gate Hotel, 3410 Westover Street.