Looking for work can require a lot of, well, work.
Pounding the pavement from potential employer to potential employer, filling out reams of resumes and keeping skills sharp and resumes updated can be exhausting.
For an employer, sorting through piles of resumes in an attempt to discern which skills and personalities have the potential to bring a long-term benefits to the workplace can be daunting.
The PA CareerLink Warren County office is working to make the process a little easier.
On Wednesday, Nov. 14, CareerLink is organizing its annual Warren County Career Fair.
According to CareerLink, "The focus of the career fair is to provide a forum for employers, service providers and jobseekers to come together to maximize the job opportunities in Warren County and surrounding areas."
The fair already features 21 employers and CareerLink staff are still working to recruit more.
"It's a nice mix," CareerLink Site Administrator Pamela Watkins said. "There are a lot of different industry ladders represented... from manufacturing to healthcare."
According to CareerLink's Arlene Papalia, who is organizing the event, employers planning to attend represent opportunities in the service industry, insurance and even for theme park and resort employment.
One feature of this year's fair that Papalia noted she is especially excited about is an expansion of the services CareerLink itself will offer at the fair. She said laptops and printers will be available for job seekers to look up job orders and print resumes.
"If you walk in the door, the first table, right there at the entrance will be CareerLink," Papalia explained. "You can apply for a job. You can walk over and then talk to the employer afterwards right there."
Educators and training opportunities will also be on display at the fair, according to Papalia. She noted the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Jamestown Community College have already agreed to attend and she is working to recruit even more.
To maximize the benefits of the fair, Watkins advised job seekers to come prepared.
"What we're really encouraging job seekers to do is bring a resume," Watkins said. "We expect employers will have real time openings, meaning they have job openings today. So they should come prepared to do an interview."
Watkins noted job seekers should make sure their resumes are up to date prior to the fair and said they can visit the CareerLink offices for help updating the documents.
"You're going to have all those employers right there at one spot. You can put a name to a face right there," Watkins said of the benefits of the fair over traditional applications. "From an employer standpoint, it's a big boost. You can fill positions much faster."
Employers interested in attending the fair are asked to call the CareerLink office at 814-723-2350.
The fair will be held from noon until 4 p.m., on Nov. 14, at the Holy Redeemer Center.