FARMINGTON – A career fair hosted by the University of Maine at Farmington will bring 66 potential employers from around the country to town Thursday.

Job seekers can meet and greet with potential employers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Olsen Student Center on the UMF campus.

Anyone seeking employment from the community is also invited to join UMF students as they visit company tables and talk with employers representing social service organizations, businesses, camps for summer positions and internships.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to job search and all are welcome as we like to present the biggest job pool to the employers that we can,” said Sue Ronald, program coordinator.

Opportunities vary from local companies and service organizations to national businesses such as Target.

“We look for executive potential,” said Topsham store manager Kelly McKay. “We look for interns that we can groom into executives. Being a campus recruiter for Maine and New Hampshire,” she said, “we hire 60 percent directly off college campuses without experience but usually with a bachelor’s degree.”

Thursday, a Target recruiter will offer information about stores and their locations. If someone is interested and willing to relocate, the recruiter will accept resumes and then hold interviews from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 16, she said. This is the second year a Target recruiter has attended the UMF fair.

“We do have career opportunities nationwide,” McKay said. Opportunities in Maine may expand with a projected opening date for a Target in Augusta during in summer 2008, she said.

Classes at UMF will not be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday so students will have an opportunity to visit the fair without worry, Ronald said.

Some employers expected at the fair include Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. of South Portland, Irving Oil Ltd. of St. John, N.B., Canada, Rite-Aid, the Social Security Administration of Portland, UPS of Brewer and local concerns such as ICT of Wilton, L.E.A.P. Inc. and the Healthy Community Coalition of Farmington. Camp Susan Curtis and Camp Runoia are just a couple of the summer employers planning to be there.

Those attending should bring their resumes. The fair is free to job seekers and open to the public.

For more information, e-mail [email protected], or call 778-7029.