Employment Happenings: A local look at upcoming spring events

It's finally nice outside, but summer weather doesn't mean it's time to slack off in the job hunting department. Companies still hire even when the sun shines, and there are ample opportunities to attend a job fair or networking event to meet your next employer. Put your skills, experience and expertise on display en route to finding your next job or career. Here are several career-focused events being held across the Twin Cities this summer.

Quality Career Services

Bill Blazar, senior vice president of public affairs and business development at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, will give a talk called "The Barometer of New Job Opportunities in Minnesota" at Quality Career Services' Monday morning coffee break. In addition to these monthly events, the St. Paul nonprofit offers services for dislocated workers and seniors.

Monday, June 27; 10-11 a.m.

Quality Career Services

2515 Wabash Avenue, Room LL1, St. Paul

651-647-9322 • www.qualitycareerservices.org

The Financial Executives Networking Group holds monthly networking sessions. Aimed at finance executives looking to manage their careers or seek new positions, these events offer opportunities for members to network with fellow professionals.

June 30; 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Padilla Speer Beardsley

1101 W. River Road, Minneapolis

612-859-8869 • www.thefeng.org

Job seekers can meet prospective employers at the Minneapolis Career Fair, put on by Minneapolis Hires. Sponsored by Aflac, Farmers Insurance, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, The Entrepreneur's Source, PMD Furniture Direct and the Minnesota Army National Guard, this event gives attendees opportunities to meet and greet a variety of potential employers.

Monday, July 11; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Crowne Plaza & Suites

3 Appletree Square, Bloomington

702-818-8899 • www.minneapolishires.com

The Minneapolis Job Support Workshop, a nonprofit that helps individuals in their job searches and career development, hosts seminars and networking events for women overcoming the challenges of job transition. This session will be facilitated by Meg Roy, president of the leadership group at Lurie Besikof Lapidus, a public accounting firm. She will give a talk, "A Woman's Perspective: Casual Day, Social Media, and Executive Presence."

Thursday, July 14; 6:30 p.m.

Christ Presbyterian Church

6901 Normandale Road, Edina

952-826-7011 • www.mjsw.org

Hospitals, clinics and physicians' groups from Minnesota and around the country aim to connect with residents and fellows at the CareerMD Career Fair. Virtually every specialty is represented - from allergy and asthma specialists to vascular surgeons and everything else in between - helping doctors explore employment opportunities with a mix of health care organizations.

Tuesday, August 9; 5-9 p.m.

Radisson University Hotel

615 Washington Avenue Southeast

Minneapolis

RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo

This free hiring event is geared toward military veterans seeking new opportunities in employment, education or entrepreneurship. Typically about 40 organizations attend these career fairs, including DeVry University, the Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration, and employers such as Lockheed Martin, Prudential Insurance and Verizon. Produced by RecruitMilitary in cooperation with the American Legion, this event is for veterans who already have civilian work experience, people who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

Thursday, August 11; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location TBD