Job fair offers some hope

Christensen Foods Human Resources Representative Tony Domeier speaks with Chariton resident Kim Ryan about employment opportunities at a job fair Feb. 19. The fair was sponsored by Clarke County Development Corporation. Ryan said she recently graduated with a criminal justice degree, but recent state budget cuts have reduced the jobs in this field. (Melissa Brownrigg)

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Employers are cautiously testing the waters to see if the tide has turned for the economic crisis. And after floundering for months, prospective employees say they are ready for any type of job saturation.

A career fair in Osceola brought 250 prospective employees hoping to land a job, some who have been searching for nearly a year. And 12 companies greeted them with the possibility of employment.

Murray resident Frank Ashby has been unemployed for over a year, but not by his choice. Ashby used to be a welder at a local manufacturer until he was laid off. He's searched for prospects in his career field, with no luck. Now Ashby is applying for jobs he normally wouldn't want.

"I'm trying to find basically anything to pay the bills," Ashby said. "I've gone through every system you could think of – temp agency, door knocking, filled out application after application – and nothing has happened yet. It's a backwards system because unemployment pays me more than what most companies are offering right now for wages."

Ashby said losing a job has put financial strains on his family, even with unemployment benefits.

The job fair did give Ashby a little hope that a job might be out there.

"This is a good thing," he said. "But I would like to see the room full. I was hoping there would be more of a demand."

Lamoni resident Joel Minor traveled 30 minutes to get a job at the fair. Minor is also looking for any type of work.

"I'm having a very hard time finding a job," he said. "There's nothing in Lamoni (for jobs). I'll travel or do whatever I have to do to get a job."

Christensen Farms, a company that attended the fair, is seeing people from many different backgrounds apply for jobs with their company.

"Unemployment has changed the type of applicant," said Human Resources Representative Tony Domeier. "There's a much broader spectrum of people applying, from the guy with the PhD to the construction worker and right on down the line. Everyone is looking for a job."


BEATING THE COMPETITION

An IowaWorks Southern Hills representative said anyone seeking employment should learn how to market their abilities – a tactic that could set a person apart from the competition.

"In this economy, people need to make sure they are representing themselves so they stand out," said Barb DeVore, Regional Area Coordinator. "The resumes that we were seeing were too generic. It's important to have a specific resume for that specific job."

DeVore said the company in Creston offers services that will show job seekers how to accomplish this.

Since July 2009, 800 people have used the tools IowaWorks offers.

Advance Services Inc representative Susan Gonseth said she thinks the high unemployment rate has allowed businesses to be more selective, another reason for the need to "stand out."

"Employers have upped their standards," said Gonseth.

Aside from being a dependable employee, many companies have specific qualifications they look for when hiring.

Shanda Hiatt, a representative from Mosaic, said she looks for a candidate who has an open mind, is creative and is willing to take a challenge.

"We're looking for someone who wants a career, not just a job," she said.


TURNOVER DECREASES

The companies that attended the fair said their need for hiring employees decreased in the last few months because they weren't seeing the amount of turnover they usually experience.

"Our turnover has steadily decreased," said Carol Eckels, a representative of Terrible's Lakeside Casino. "I haven't seen turnover this low, and I've been here for five years."

Chasity Felton moved to Osceola from Des Moines about a month ago and hasn't had any luck finding employment in the area.

"If you have a job, you have to keep it, 'cause you can't find another one," she said.

Donna Money agreed. Money, also of Osceola, said she has a job, but is looking for something else.

"I can't afford to quit, so I will stay until I find something," she said.

Gonseth said their goal at AS Inc is to ensure the person they have placed at a company stays.

"Right now our success rate for keeping people in their positions is high," she said. "It's probably 75 percent."

AS Inc also saw an estimated 25 percent increase from last year of people seeking employment through their office, Gonseth said. The company tries to help, even if a job isn't currently available.

"I give them outside sources, like the newspaper or I check other agencies," Gonseth said. "I know how hard it is right now and I want them to feel like I've helped them when they leave the office."


JOBS AVAILABLE

Health care was a popular field at the job fair.

"I believe health care right now and in the future is a good place for a job," said Southern Hills Specialty Care business office manager Vickie Stout. "The recession won't change the needs of the elderly and Iowa has a huge elderly age group."

Clarke County Hospital also had several job openings available.

"There are so many opportunities in health care," said Director of Human Resources Kate Emanuel. "We're here because we want to remind everyone about them."

Christensen Farms, a company that produces pork, is hiring in the Bloomfield and Leon area. Domeier said the company has an estimated 15 jobs available in these areas combined.

"The markets are coming back," said Domeier. "We still have a need to be fully staffed."

The company has made some sacrifices and cuts, but Domeier said this will make operations better in the long run.

"Like everyone else, we've been forced to become more efficient, but that's a good thing," he said. "It shows you where you can get better."