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More than 40 employers will gather in Tysons on Thursday for a free technology and cybersecurity job fair as rising unemployment intensifies competition across Northern Virginia.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority will host the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road.

Participating employers will include defense and national security contractors such as Peraton and General Dynamics, along with health care startups Somatus and Microhealth. Fairfax County government, Fairfax County Public Schools and the FBI will also attend.

The fair will give job seekers a chance to speak directly with recruiters. On-site photographers will provide free professional headshots.

Students, recent graduates, experienced professionals and federal workers considering a career change are all welcome. Advance registration is encouraged but not required.

“Northern Virginia’s economy is built on adaptability, talent, and purpose driven work,” FCEDA President and CEO Victor Hoskins said. He described the event as an effort to connect skilled professionals with employers that are currently hiring while keeping opportunities accessible and visible.

The event comes after a year of federal workforce cuts challenged the sector’s traditional stability, prompting Fairfax County economic development and business leaders to promote technology as a way to diversify the local job market.

FCEDA’s jobs portal lists more than 50,000 openings across Northern Virginia, including over 12,000 information technology positions. However, the region’s labor market has become increasingly competitive.

Federal data showed that 65,357 residents in Northern Virginia’s Washington suburbs were unemployed in November, a 41% increase from 2024. The region’s unemployment rate reached 3.7%, compared with 2.6% a year earlier.