By Kris Leonhardt

PORTAGE COUNTY – The Portage County Business Council (PCBC) will host their annual job fair on Sept. 28 at Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center.

PCBC Director of Business Engagement Tonya Kowalski said that this will be the seventh year for the event, which originated out of a local need to attract employees.

“We held the first one in 2014, when we switched from offering a Business Expo and instead offered a Job Fair,” Kowalski explained. “We made the decision to make the switch after listening to our member businesses when they were telling us that their biggest challenge was talent attraction. We wanted to provide solutions for them and help them grow their business, so the Portage County Business Council Job Fair was born.”

About 25-30 employer booths are anticipated this year, covering the areas of childcare, construction, custodial, education, health and beauty, IT/computers, office administration/clerical, manufacturing, hospitality, internet/telecommunications, assembly/packaging/warehousing, retail, and other local industries.

Through the event, local employers have access to about 200 potential candidates, with the ability to coordinate “on-the-spot” interviews.

“This allows an employer to really get a feel for the candidate’s personality and demeanor,” Kowalski said. “Employers also receive extensive visibility for their business and that they are hiring because of the variety of ways and places that the job fair is marketed.

“Job seekers get a room full of quality businesses eager to hire them. They are able to fill out applications, submit their resumes, and interview with several different businesses representing nearly every industry, all in one spot.

“Attendees should dress as they would for an interview, they should bring copies of their resume, and they should be prepared to answer some typical interview questions. Most of all, they should be friendly and willing to talk with the different business representatives. This is not the time to be shy.”

Due to the current environment, organizers have made a few planning changes, limiting each employer to one representative per table, which Kowalski said will help curb the number of people in the room and allow for physical distancing.

“Only one candidate is allowed at a business table at a time, and if someone is waiting to visit a table, they will be required to line up six feet apart,” she added. “All employers, job seekers, staff, and volunteers at the event are required to wear masks. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the space. There is no food or drink allowed in the Job Fair room. Additionally, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center is taking stringent cleaning measures for all of their surfaces, floors, and air ventilation prior to us using the space.”

The job fair takes place Sept. 28, 1-6 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave., Stevens Point.

For more information, contact 715-344-1940 or tkowalski@portagecountybiz.com.