Job fairs in Minnesota are seeing higher attendance as job seekers face a more competitive job market. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports that job vacancies in the state fell by 13.4% from 2023 to 2024. This decline has continued into 2025. Real-time job postings on MinnesotaWorks.net show fewer new openings. In July 2025, there were 0.7 unemployed job seekers for every job vacancy. This is a smaller gap than in previous years. In 2021 and 2022, there were more than two jobs for every unemployed worker.
A recent survey of over 300 job counselors in the CareerForce system found that most believe it is harder for job seekers to find work now than a year ago. This is especially true in some industries. Increased attendance at job fairs supports this view. The CareerForce center in North Minneapolis held its 5th Annual Job and Resource Fair in September 2025. The event drew more than 400 job seekers and 40 employers, the highest turnout for this location.
Other CareerForce locations also report more attendees. In Blaine, the Anoka County Job Training Center has held 26 hiring events in 2025, with an average of 119 job seekers per event. This is up from 90 per event in 2024. Nicole Swanson, Director of the Anoka County Job Training Center, says the center’s reputation and community ties may be factors. Blaine has seen more youth and older job seekers, more people looking for second jobs or returning after retirement, and fewer ELL and Spanish-speaking attendees. Employers are facing hiring freezes, staff shortages, and are being more selective in hiring…