The other side to that equation – employers – are in desperate need of finding skilled workers.

So, even if you have a job, you may be interested in attending the free Snohomish County Career Fair at the Tulalip Resort Casino Thursday, Sept. 10.

“Some clients have a real need and are looking to hire,” said Pilar Linaras, advertising director for The Daily Herald in Everett, which is sponsoring the event.

Linaras added that the job climate is changing.

“There’s a wealth of talent out there now, and people are more particular about the jobs they are taking,” she said.

The job fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Orca Ballroom at 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd. will have more than 50 exhibitors. Linaras said a huge variety of employers will be there: including aerospace, health care, equipment rental, retail, school districts, colleges, transportation, automotive, the armed forces and much more.

Linaras said there is an efficiency to job fairs as they can reduce the time it takes to find potential employees.

“You can narrow your pool and hire quickly,” she said. “Maybe not on the spot, but within a week, sure.”

Exhibitors will be looking for everything from entry level general laborers and maids to seasoned restaurant managers, registered nurses and engineers.

Keith Foote, managing broker with Keller Williams Realty, said that firm is expanding and needs all types of employees, from telemarketers to office support to “people who want to make real estate a career.”

Any sales people would have to go through the company’s training program. To make sure someone can “cut it, we have an extensive interview process that matches their personality to the job,” he said.

Theresa Opstrup, of The Everett Clinic Human Resources, said they are in the process of doubling in size so they are looking for more new employees than in previous years at the job fair.

The Everett Clinic is expanding its Smokey Point facility and has nine new providers there. So it needs to provide staff for them, including medical assistants, nurses, technicians, billing and insurance help.

She suggests job-seekers look online at their openings and then bring their resumes to the job fair.

Laurie McMillan of Embassy Suites said they are looking for people who can be trained. While they love people with a college education, a degree is not necessary to have success with that company.

“You can not go to college and still earn money,” she said.

McMillan added that she loves to educate people about the hospitality industry and her company’s career ladder. They want people willing to start at the bottom and work their way up.

“You can’t teach customer service, but if you’re skilled at computers” you can learn valuable skills for Embassy Suites, McMillan said.

She added that the company is renovating all of its hotels, so all types of openings are available.

McMillan said they are willing to give some people a chance while others may not.

“Their loss is my gain,” she said.

The Daily Herald and Tulalip Resort Casino will host the event to provide a comprehensive talent search for exhibitors and career opportunities for job-seekers. Other partners include the Marysville Globe, the Arlington Times and the Spanish-language weekly La Raza.

“We’re excited to bring together businesses and professionals, representing a wide array of industries in Snohomish County to provide career opportunities to qualified job-seekers,” said Josh O’Connor, publisher of The Daily Herald.

Register and upload your resume online at snococareerfair.com. On the day of the event, the first 50 registrants to check in at the Sound Publishing table will receive two free tickets to a Mariners game.

List of exhibitors:

Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee, AutoNation

Banfield Pet Hospital, Berkshire Hathaway HomeService Northwest Real Estate, Birch Equipment Rental & Sales

Cabela’s, Cadence Aerospace, Campbell’s StockPot, Catholic Community Services Long Term Care, Century 21, Circulation Promotion Sales, City of Bothell, City of Marysville, Community Transit, Compass Health, Country Financial

Dwayne Lane’s Family of Auto Centers

Edmonds School District, Embassy Suites – Lynnwood, Everest College, Everett Community College, Everett Public Schools

Farms & Market

Group Health Cooperative

H&R Block, Hexcel Corp.

Josephine

Keller Williams Real Estate, Kids ‘N Us

Labor Ready/CLP

Mukilteo School District

Pioneer Human Services, Providence Health & Services

Randys Worldwide Automotive

Sears Home Services, Seattle Goodwill, Senior Aerospace AMT, Skagit Regional Health, Sonitrol Pacific, Sound Publishing, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc.

The Everett Clinic, The Home Depot, Tulalip Resort Casino

U.S. Army, UniSea, Inc., U.S. Border Patrol

Washington Army National Guard, Washington State Patrol, Washington State University North Puget Sound at Everett