Social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19 means no large in-person hiring events for now. But did you know you can still meet employers hiring now “at” an event online? CareerForce has been hosting Virtual Career Fairs since mid-April and thousands of people just like you have participated⁠—and made connections with employers.

Here’s what some Minnesotans looking for work now have had to say about CareerForce Virtual Career Fairs:

Participants in May 11 Virtual Career Fair featuring Senior Care Employers:

“I just wanted to let you know I attended this career fair today.  It was really cool that they could do it virtually.  How creative!  I just sent an email with resume to Cassia Life.”

“Thank you Liz. The event was well organized. I will reach out to the presenters for more information.”

“Your Career Fairs are just awesome, Elizabeth. Thank you for your leadership!”

Types of CareerForce Virtual Career Fairs and other virtual hiring events

There are local, regional and statewide CareerForce Virtual Career Fairs. We send invites to our Statewide Virtual Career Fairs to Minnesotans looking for work all around the state.

Regional and local virtual hiring events include Employer of the Day events that feature employers hiring in a particular area and people looking for work in those parts of the state are invited. Employer of the Day events work similarly to CareerForce Virtual Career Fairs, but just feature one employer presenting information about their company and answering questions from local career seekers during the virtual event.

Want to get on the list for CareerForce events or encourage friends and family to get on the list? Go to CareerForceMN.com and find a CareerForce location near you, then click on that location page and click on Subscribe to CareerForce... link on the right hand side of the page a little below the map. Subscribe for email updates and you’re done. It’s that simple. That way you’ll be on the invite list for statewide virtual events as well as local ones featuring employers hiring near you.

Here’s how you participate in a CareerForce Virtual Career Fair or other virtual hiring event:

1. Register for the Virtual Career Fair or other virtual hiring event by selecting the Register here link in the invite email.

OR

1. Register by going to the events page listing Virtual Career Fairs and selecting the Virtual Career Fair of your choice.

2. Complete the registration process on MinnesotaWorks.net.

3. Look for an email within 24 hours of the event from the event organizer, in many cases Liz.Jennings@state.mn.us, in your inbox (check your junk folder if it doesn’t show up), which has a link to join the Virtual Career Fair at the appropriate time and further instructions.

4. Watch employer presentations and ask questions via chat.

5. During the event you may receive an email from the event organizer to attend an “after event” with a specific employer or employers where you can ask more specific questions and get to know more about employers who interest you. Make sure to keep an eye out for this email during the virtual event. Plus, the recruiters offer their email, text, or company telephone number to immediately follow up with questions.

6. If you missed the event, or want to re-watch to catch details, you can watch recordings of previous Virtual Career Fairs posted in a playlist on the CareerForceMN YouTube page.