MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College will play matchmaker between businesses and the people they’re looking for at the BBCC Job Fair on April 17. 

This is the 32nd year Big Bend has held the fair, said coordinator Michelle Arceo. Last year it attracted about 1,000 job seekers, she said. The fair will include Big Bend students, but anyone who’s interested in starting or furthering a career is invited. There’s no charge to attend. 

“(Attendees) can expect about 60 employers, and we’ll have some Big Bend Community College programs there as well,” Arceo said. In addition, there will be a number of BBCC’s partners in the event, agencies that help people in need of jobs with training and placement. 

“We have a presence every year to recruit customers, sometimes to recruit staff,” said Emily Anderson, training manager for SkillSource, one of the partners. “It's truly a great event every year.” 

Employers run the gamut: government agencies, health care organizations, manufacturing companies among others. Attendees can check out one table after another, dropping off resumes and making the all-important first contact with a potential boss, and also finding out if a career with one employer or another is what they’ve been looking for. Partners like SkillSource, WorkSource and Job Corps will offer help for those whose skills aren’t quite where they need to be yet. 

Job seekers are encouraged to bring lots of copies of their resume and be prepared to talk with potential employers, Arceo said. 

“Make sure you come prepared,” Anderson said. “It's best to leave kids at home and come in with professional dress and a readiness to connect with businesses. If folks are unsure or feeling a little shy ahead of time and would like some tips or tricks, some preparation or some resume writing assistance they can come down here to our WorkSource center.” 

The WorkSource office is located at 309 E Fifth Ave., Ste. B in Moses Lake, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

In addition to the job fair, the Department of Social and Health Services will have a bus on campus to help anyone who needs assistance filling out forms and applying for cash or medical assistance. 

“I really encourage everyone to come (to the job fair),” Anderson said. “You never know what connection you might make that can benefit you in the future. Even if you're just there to explore and network a little bit, it is well worth your time to come.” 

More information, including a list of exhibitors and tips for making the job search more effective, can be found at https://bit.ly/BBCCJobFair25. 

Big Bend Community College Job Fair 

10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 17 

Masto Conference Center, 7611 Bolling St. NE, Moses Lake 

    An attendee at last year’s BBCC Job Fair chats with a representative from Bud Clary. About 1,000 job seekers attended last year.
  

    It’s a good idea to bring multiple copies of your resume if you’re looking to connect with an employer at the BBCC Job Fair, organizers said.