Hundreds crowd the Orland Park Civic Center for the first Southwest Job Fair. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

The Village of Orland Park, the Village of Tinley Park, Orland Township and the Office of Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison will come together to host the 3rd annual Southwest Job Fair on January 15.

Following the success of last year’s event, the Southwest Job Fair returns as a free, one-day event at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will open early for military veterans and special recreation groups at 10:45 a.m., with doors opening to the general public at 11 a.m. Job seekers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to attend.

“The Southwest Job Fair provides resources and opportunities to hundreds of job seekers and employers throughout the southland,” said Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to connect and promote development and economic growth in the Southwest Suburbs.” 

Aimed at connecting talented individuals with local employers, the fair will showcase a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, technology, retail, hospitality and more. The collaborative event is designed to bridge the gap between job seekers and businesses while promoting economic growth and expanding opportunities in the region.

“We’re excited to once again partner with the Village of Orland Park, Orland Township, and Commissioner Morrison to help job seekers connect with employers looking for new talent,” Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said. “There are many great opportunities for employment in the Southwest suburban region, and I invite everyone to come out to the Tinley Park Convention Center to discover their next career.”

The first 100 job seekers will receive a $10 gift card and Southwest Job Fair tote bag. All registered attendees will be entered into a drawing for prizes including gift cards, backpacks, and laptops. Free professional headshots for digital download will be available for all job seekers.

“I encourage the active participation of employers and job seekers alike in the 2026 Southwest Job Fair,” said Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison (R-17th). “This event represents the great success of our mutual efforts to address the employment needs of our region while supporting our local businesses. We are very happy to co-host this opportunity for fostering economic growth while creating opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers.”

The Southwest Job Fair offers job seekers a valuable opportunity to connect in person with hiring managers and representatives from leading local businesses. Attendees can submit resumes, participate in on-the-spot interviews and explore available positions and career pathways across a variety of industries.

“We recognize the importance of supporting our local workforce and fostering economic development in the Southwest suburban region,” said Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. “By co-hosting the Southwest Job Fair, we aim to connect job seekers with employers, creating a win-win situation that benefits both individuals and businesses.” 

For information and to register, visit  swjobfair.com.

Participation is free for both job seekers and employers, and pre-registration is strongly encouraged.  For sponsorship information, visit swjobfair.com or email info@swjobfair.com.