Fairfax County Virtual Career Fair Set for October

If you are in need of a job, training or an upgrade in careers, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) may have what you’re looking for.

The FCEDA is offering a Hiring and Reskilling Virtual Career Fair on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 1-4 p.m., and more than 20 companies hiring for thousands of jobs in Northern Virginia are involved. Participation in the online event will be free after jobseekers register online.

The event is the third virtual career fair sponsored by the FCEDA this year. The previous two events drew over 800 attendees each, according to the organization.

FCEDA’s virtual fair is an active attempt to help workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The economic effects of the pandemic continue to be felt particularly hard among our residents in industry sectors such as hospitality, transportation and restaurants, so I am grateful that the FCEDA is working to reach those workers,” Jeffrey C. McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, wrote in a press release. “This is a great way to make sure that all of our residents have access to open jobs and opportunities to gain new skills.”

The fair is open to people of all levels of experience. Open positions will include a variety of jobs and industries, and not all will require a college degree. Some participating organizations will offer candidates opportunities to train and be placed in tech careers for free.

Among the companies and organizations seeking job candidates or job training programs are:

• Amazon
• Walmart
• Wegmans
• Cox Communications
• Fairbrook Hotels
• George Mason University’s Continuing and Professional Education Division
• Marymount University
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• The Northern Virginia Building Industry Association
• Revature
• Securitas
• Smoothstack

The event will allow participants to view companies in a virtual lobby, view open positions, talk with human resources representatives and engage in video conferencing.

“The FCEDA is proud to present the Hiring and Reskilling Virtual Career Fair,” Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the FCEDA, wrote in a press release. “We thank the companies that will be interviewing candidates at the fair and the organizations that offer reskilling and upskilling programs. Many people are in need of jobs because of layoffs at this unprecedented time. Each person hired saves a household. We at the FCEDA are here to help.”

Photo by Bruce Mars/Unsplash