Staff Reports

SGV – California’s unemployment rate has continued to fall, dipping to 6.3 percent in June after sitting at 6.4 percent in May. The state added nearly 23,000 new jobs during the month, indicating California employers are still actively adding to their workforce.

With more than 1.9 million new jobs since February 2010, California continues to top all other states for job growth. Companies are hiring, and job fairs are playing a key role in connecting those looking for work with employers.

Mission Valley Church in San Gabriel will open its doors to job seekers and those who are contemplating career changes when it hosts the free San Gabriel Valley Job, Resource and College Fair on Wed., Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is located at 1201 S. San Gabriel Blvd. in San Gabriel.

“We believe that Mission Valley Free Methodist Church exists to be a loving community that invites and challenges people to move closer to Christ,” said Senior Pastor Dave Fukuyama. “Being a loving community means we extend God’s love and hope to our neighbors who live in our city. Fifty four percent of the residents who live in San Gabriel have immigrated to the United States seeking employment in order to provide a brighter future for themselves and their families. We are hosting this job fair to let people know that God cares about their desire to find employment and so do we.”

More than 40 employers, including many of the region’s leading companies, government organizations, staffing agencies, nonprofit organizations and other businesses, are expected to be in attendance recruiting employees to fill open positions ranging from entry-level jobs for high school and college graduates to positions for experienced professionals and military veterans.

Job-seekers will have the opportunity to meet and interview for a variety of positions – all in one day – including jobs in accounting, administration, clerical, customer service, education, financial services, health care, nursing, law enforcement, management, manufacturing, non-profit, sales, transportation and more. A host of employment resources and higher education institutions will also be on hand to discuss additional opportunities.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet, network and interview with representatives with all participating organizations. To register, visit www.missionvalleyfmc.org/#/job-fair, call (626) 285-6788 or email office@mvfmc.org.

A separate, free pre-fair resume writing and interviewing workshop on Wed., Aug. 12, is also available for job seekers wanting to take better control of their future employment prospects. The workshop will help participants update their resumes, search for positions online, dress for success and prepare in advance to handle common interview questions.

Presented by DeVry University, the workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Mission Valley Church. Only those attending the workshop will be given a priority “fast pass” for prompt entry into the Aug. 19 job fair. To register, visit www.missionvalleyfmc.org/#/job-fair.