Save The Date
2026 Dr. King Career Fair
April 2, 2026 · 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Empire State Plaza Convention Center
279 Madison Ave
Albany, NY 12242
- FREE Parking: MVP Parking Garage.
- FREE CDTA Shuttle: From Lincoln Park Pool House.
Overview
NYS Department of Labor is hosting the Dr. King Career Fair at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
In upholding the legacy of Dr. King, we are committed to keep moving forward and helping serve New Yorkers. With that in mind, the New York State Department of Labor is proud to sponsor the 26th Annual Dr. King Career Fair along with the Office of General Services, Governor’s Office of the Chief Disability Officer, and Capital District Transportation Authority.
The Dr. King Career Fair is one of the most widely attended events in the Capital Region and will be held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center – connecting 170 area businesses and nearly 500 job seekers. We are celebrating our 26th year of hosting this event! We are excited to have the opportunity to connect businesses and job seekers to the talent and positions they need at no cost.
Additional Fair Resources
Resume Review
Pop-up Career Center
Professional Headshot Photo-booth
Virtual Reality Career Exploration
Job Seeker Resources
Dr. King gave his iconic, “I Have a Dream Speech,” at the 1963 March for Jobs and Freedom, a collaboration between labor rights groups and civil rights activists. DOL continues to uphold Dr. King’s legacy today by meeting all job seekers where they are to get them into careers they love.
Whether you are searching for your first job or are ready to change careers, this is the place to be! The Dr. King Career Fair will feature the following services in addition to networking with hiring businesses:
- Resume Review
- Computer Resource Area
- Professional Headshot Photos
- Virtual Reality Career Exploration
FREE Event Parking will be offered in the MVP Arena Parking Garage!
CDTA is once again offering a free shuttle to the Career Fair! Pick up is at the Lincoln Park Pool House every 15 minutes from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
“My transportation options were shaky, so being able to take a shuttle to the Empire State Plaza from a nearby location where free parking was available was extremely helpful in avoiding the added stress of downtown parking difficulties.” – Dr. King Participant
Pre-registration for this event is strongly encouraged. Don't delay - register today!
Job Seekers are invited to participate in any of the following Virtual Workshops to prepare for the event:
Tuesday, 3/3/26 at 1 pm – Job Fairs: Tips for Success Virtual Workshop
- Description: Attending job and career fairs can be an important tool in finding a job in your chosen career! In this workshop, we will review tips and advice on how to prepare for a job fair, how to conduct yourself, and how to speak to employers.
- Register for Job Fairs: Tips for Success Virtual Workshop.
Monday, 3/9/26 at 1 pm – Resume Basics Virtual Workshop
- Description: This workshop will review the basics and help you understand the purpose of a resume and how to convey your talents specifically to the job you’re applying for. *It would be beneficial to bring an organized work history as well as a rough draft of your resume to reference during the session*
- Register for Resume Basics Virtual Workshop.
Monday, 3/16/26 at 1 pm – Transferable Skills Virtual Workshop
- Description: This presentation will focus on learning specific brainstorming techniques so you can identify your key transferable skills. Learn how to find the key words associated with your skills and how to market your transferable skills to employers. Easy to use electronic resources will be provided for use after the presentation so you can improve your marketability in the virtual world.
- Register for Transferable Skills Virtual Workshop.
Monday, 3/23/26 at 1 pm – Interviewing Techniques Virtual Workshop
- Description: Interviewing for a job today can be more intimidating than it needs to be if you’re not sure what to expect, how to prepare, or what the interviewer expects from you. In this workshop, you’ll learn what makes an interview successful, the types of questions to expect, and how to effectively prepare.
- Register for Interviewing Techniques Virtual Workshop.
Monday, 3/30/26 at 10 am – What to Expect at the 2026 Dr. King Career Fair Virtual Workshop
- Description: Not sure what to expect at an in-person career fair? Join us to learn how to prepare and navigate through the 2026 Dr. King Career Fair. We will give you tips on how to prepare for the event along with what to expect when you arrive and how to maximize your time while you’re there. Get a sneak peak of where businesses will be located in the venue so you can be ready to impress!
- Register for What to Expect at the 2026 Dr. King Career Fair Virtual Workshop.
For assistance with your job search, please visit your local NYS Career Center or check out our new Virtual Career Center! You can find the one nearest you by using our Career Center Locator or to check out our new Virtual Career Center visit Virtual Career Center.
More upcoming events are on our Career Center Events Calendar.
Get Professional Clothing
Our career centers can assist job seekers in need of interview clothing and do this on a regular basis. Here are local resources and partner organizations in the Capital Region:
- Circles of Mercy: 11 Washington St, Rensselaer, NY | (518) 462-0899
- Capital City Rescue Mission: 95 Trinity Place, Albany, NY 259 S. Pearl Street- Albany, NY | (518) 462-0459
- Grassroot Givers: 522 Washington Ave, Albany, NY | (518) 599-5157
- Bethesda House of Schenectady: 834 State Street | (518) 374-7873
- Dress for Success (Albany): 333 Sheridan Ave (518) | 463-3175
- CAPTAIN Community Human Services: 5 Municipal Plaza # 3, Clifton Park | (518)371-1185
- Franklin Community Center: 95 Washington St, Saratoga Springs | (518) 587-9826
- Restyle Thrift Store: 547 River Street, Troy, NY | (518) 203-7906.
For Columbia-Greene, we can assist job seekers with clothing at CGCC inside the workforce.