Several hundred job seekers connected with approximately 90 employers on Friday, Oct. 2 at the sixth annual Hire Lake County Job Fair at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.
The event footprint took up two rooms, the Grand Marquee Pavilion and a Grand Ballroom salon for the three hour midday event. Military could enter 30 minutes early. The career fair was free.
Registration was encouraged but open to all who decided to attend.
The 2026 Hire Lake County Job Fair was presented by the Village of Lincolnshire in collaboration with the Lake County Workforce Development Center and the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort.
“Lincolnshire and Lake County are a great place to live and work due to ample employment and housing opportunities, educational institutions, cultural and natural amenities and locational advantages,” said Tonya Zozulya, planning and development manager for the Village of Lincolnshire.
People could mingle and visit with employer tables which held informational leaflets and candy in festive Halloween buckets. Hand sanitizer was among the variety of giveaways.
Many job seekers shared stories, including one person who spoke of being hired and laid off in the same day due to their company being sold.
Marian B. Sides of Grayslake, a Phd and, a nurse, and a retired Colonel, United States Air Force, networked to spread the word about how Sides’ entrepreneurial business could assist others in health and wellness.
“I help people become the best version of themselves that they can be,” Sides said. “That’s the goal.”
Meeting people personally face to face makes a big difference too, Sides said.
“Relationship marketing is a face-to-face process,” Sides said.
Sides took time conversing with Sue Reuss of Vernon Hills, director of care for Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services of Libertyville/Vernon Hills.
“You only do business with people that you like,” Reuss said. “It’s true.
“We have to build that relationship,” Reuss added.
Marina Shtivelman of Buffalo Grove attended the career fair because of “just looking for a second job.
“I actually just started working for the Visiting Angels just yesterday, but I do have a background in education and obviously we have a lot of education opportunities around here,” Shtivelman said.
Shtivelman said talking with potential employers is often better than cold call applying online.
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“I guess if you’re not out there, it’s easier to be ignored,” Shtivelman said.
Jungle of Plants of Lincolnshire is set to open soon on Milwaukee Avenue after losing its lease in Niles.
Jungle of Plants sells retail and wholesale plants and offers a petting zoo-type experience with its animals such as birds. The animals cared for at Jungle of Plants are not sold but have been surrendered to the store as a rescue.
Matt Schiavone, one of the Jungle of Plants store managers and manager of animal husbandry, was at a career table looking for a driver, cashier, animal ambassadors, and other roles such as birthday party and school bookings attendants.
“We’re a small business, so we have about 13 staff now, and we’re looking to go up to about 20,” Schiavone said.
Donning Chicago White Sox clothing was military veteran Damien Atkins, who is also with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Atkins was here because of a willingness to share information with others needing guidance.
“Some of these programs are good for young men who have an opportunity to change their life,” Atkins said.
Joe Zoubek, talent acquisition partner for Baxter International Inc. of Deerfield, was on hand to talk to possible applicants unsure about options.
“We end up meeting people that wouldn’t necessarily think to apply for certain roles,” Zoubek said. “They start kind of talking about their background and we’re like, ‘Well, how about this role?’ because in manufacturing, you have titles like, ‘What is a production associate?’ so I can explain it and they’re like, ‘Hey, I could do that.’”
Attendee Hamilton Banks of Vernon Hills was encouraged by the number of businesses present that were actively seeking applicants.
About the Lake County job outlook, Banks said, “It’s great.
“I feel optimistic now after doing hundreds of applications,” Banks said. “I feel like here, there’s opportunity.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.