Belfast jobseekers urged to attend St George’s Market job fair this June

Belfast jobseekers are being encouraged to attend a major employment event at St George’s Market this June, with local employers expected to showcase vacancies and support organisations on hand to offer practical advice.

The Belfast Job Fair is scheduled for Wednesday 24 June 2026, running from 10.30am to 2pm. The event is being organised with support from the Department for Communities and Belfast Labour Market Partnership, and is aimed at connecting residents with employers who are actively recruiting.

For anyone looking for work, thinking about changing career or hoping to return to employment after time away, the fair could provide a useful opportunity to speak directly with employers. Rather than relying only on online applications, candidates will be able to ask questions, learn about vacancies and understand what different sectors are looking for.

The venue also matters. St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s best-known public spaces, making it a familiar and accessible location for many residents. Holding a jobs fair in a central, recognisable venue may help encourage people who would not normally attend a formal recruitment event.

The fair is expected to include a quiet period from 10.30am to 11am, before opening more widely to the public. That could be particularly helpful for people who prefer a calmer environment, including neurodivergent jobseekers, people with anxiety, or anyone who finds crowded events difficult.

This accessibility focus is important. Recruitment events can sometimes feel intimidating, especially for people who have been out of work, lack confidence, or are unsure how to approach employers. A quieter start can help make the event more inclusive and give more people a fair chance to engage.

For Belfast residents, the event comes at a time when many households are still dealing with cost-of-living pressures. A secure job, better pay or more stable hours can make a major difference to family finances. Employment can help with rent, mortgage payments, food, energy bills, transport costs and savings.

But jobseeking is not always straightforward. Some people may be looking for their first role. Others may be trying to move from part-time to full-time work, switch sectors, return after caring responsibilities or find employment that better fits their health, childcare or transport needs.

A jobs fair can help because it brings multiple options together in one place. Candidates can compare employers, ask about training, understand shift patterns and find out whether roles offer progression. Even a short conversation can help someone decide whether a job is realistic for their circumstances.

Employers also benefit from meeting candidates face to face. CVs and online forms do not always show attitude, communication skills, reliability or willingness to learn. In-person conversations can help employers spot potential in people who may not have followed a traditional career path.

That is especially important in sectors facing recruitment challenges. Employers in hospitality, retail, care, logistics, customer service, administration, technology and public services often need people with practical skills and the right mindset. Some roles may require qualifications, but others may offer training for the right candidate.

Recruitment is also becoming more flexible. Some companies are building teams across different locations, hiring remote workers or employing people in new markets. EOR providers can help businesses hire and manage staff in countries where they do not have their own legal entity.

But for many Belfast employers, local jobs fairs remain vital because they connect organisations directly with people in the communities they serve.

Local hiring has wider economic benefits. When Belfast residents find work close to home, they often spend more locally, support local transport and contribute to the city’s neighbourhood economies. Stable employment can also improve confidence and wellbeing, while helping families plan ahead.

For jobseekers attending the event, preparation will make a difference. Candidates should bring copies of an up-to-date CV, dress appropriately for the roles they are interested in and prepare a short introduction about their experience, skills and goals.

It is also worth thinking about practical questions before arriving.

Jobseekers may want to ask employers about pay, hours, training, progression, flexibility, location, application deadlines and whether previous experience is required. Those details can help candidates avoid applying for roles that do not fit their needs.

People who are nervous about attending should remember that jobs fairs are designed for conversation. Employers are there because they want to meet candidates. Support organisations may also be able to help with CV writing, interview preparation, skills training and confidence building.

For young people, the fair could highlight entry-level roles, apprenticeships or training opportunities. For older workers, it may offer routes into new sectors. For people returning after unemployment, illness or caring responsibilities, it could provide a first step back into the labour market.

The Belfast Job Fair may not result in an immediate offer for every attendee, but it could open doors. A conversation with one employer might lead to an interview. A chat with a support organisation might lead to training. Seeing the range of vacancies available could give someone the confidence to apply.

For employers, the event is a chance to reach local talent directly and show what they can offer beyond a job title. Pay matters, but candidates are also increasingly interested in flexibility, workplace culture, development and stability.

As the June event approaches, Belfast jobseekers should consider setting aside time to attend, especially if they are actively looking for work or thinking about their next move.

A jobs fair cannot solve every employment challenge, but it can make the hiring process more human. For many people, that face-to-face conversation at St George’s Market could be the first step toward a new opportunity.