Bakersfield Job Fest Draws Over 100 Employers Hiring in Kern County

Annual event connects job seekers with opportunities across diverse industries

Mar. 11, 2026 at 8:49pm

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The annual Job Fest at the Dignity Health Convention Center in Bakersfield, California drew over 100 employers looking to hire workers across a wide range of industries including agriculture, warehousing, retail, and healthcare. The event, organized by Kern County Human Services, aimed to provide job seekers the chance to connect directly with hiring managers and apply for positions on the spot.

Why it matters

The Job Fest is an important annual event for the Bakersfield community, providing a centralized opportunity for local employers to find qualified candidates to fill open roles and for job seekers to explore a variety of employment options in the region. With the current economic environment being challenging, the event helps to get the community back to work.

The details

The Job Fest featured over 140 employers set up with booths, requiring organizers to add extra space to accommodate the high level of interest and demand from companies looking to hire. Job seekers were encouraged to come prepared with resumes, dress professionally, and be ready to speak directly with hiring managers. Employers represented a wide range of industries and were hiring for both entry-level and skilled positions, including roles in healthcare. The event organizers and participating employers stressed the importance of job seekers taking the initiative to visit multiple booths and apply for positions, rather than just a few.

  • The Job Fest opened at 9 a.m. and ran until 12 p.m. on March 11, 2026.

The players

Kern County Human Services

The organization that organized the annual Job Fest event.

Frank Cabrera

An organizer with the Job Fest event.

Josh Connor

A job developer who encouraged job seekers to actively engage with employers at the event.

Sandy

An assistant manager with Exact Staff, one of the employers participating in the Job Fest.

Mike

A representative from Electric Embroidery, another employer at the Job Fest, who discussed the types of candidates they were seeking.

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What they’re saying

“It's nerve wracking to be here. There's a lot of employers, a lot of people, you're into the competition of getting to their booth and stealing that manager and talking to them, but if you don't do it, what's going to happen, you know?”

— Josh Connor, Job Developer (bakersfieldnow.com)

“I've always said you're never fully dressed unless you have a smile on your face.”

— Josh Connor, Job Developer (bakersfieldnow.com)

“What I'd say to everyone is register as soon as possible, because you just don't know.”

— Sandy, Assistant Manager, Exact Staff (bakersfieldnow.com)

“I think why this is so important, because there is multiple various employers out there. This also gets the community back to working, and it's best for everyone.”

— Sandy, Assistant Manager, Exact Staff (bakersfieldnow.com)

“You know, the current environment is tough, but I would say, just come out with strong confidence, present yourself well, you know, talk clearly and, and, and really explain what you're looking for.”

— Mike, Representative, Electric Embroidery (bakersfieldnow.com)

What’s next

Organizers and employers encouraged job seekers to continue monitoring the Kern County Human Services website and social media channels for information on future hiring events in the region.

The takeaway

The Bakersfield Job Fest demonstrates the strong demand for workers across diverse industries in Kern County, providing a valuable opportunity for local job seekers to connect directly with employers and explore a wide range of employment options to get the community back to work.