QC Success Fair:  Event offers wide variety of career options

The Quad-Cities Success Fair in Davenport on Thursday, Aug. 14, was all about making connections; including connecting local job-seekers with jobs. “I’m looking for something in production, especially welding. … I like it here. There’s a lot of options,” said David Mohr of Bettendorf, one of hundreds of job hunters who attended the opening hour […]

The Quad-Cities Success Fair in Davenport on Thursday, Aug. 14, was all about making connections; including connecting local job-seekers with jobs. “I’m looking for something in production, especially welding. … I like it here. There’s a lot of options,” said David Mohr of Bettendorf, one of hundreds of job hunters who attended the opening hour of the fair at NorthPark Mall Thursday morning.

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The Success Fair is in its eighth year and this is its first time at NorthPark. It was presented by IowaWORKS. The event brought together about 80 employers, schools and organizations looking to hire people, offer education and other services for people looking for employment. “This year this event is even more important to our community to help those affected by recent hardships,” said Rick Ernst, Davenport IowaWORKS operations manager, in a news release. “We have a good mix of advanced manufacturing, business and healthcare oriented jobs as well as a diverse representation of local companies to provide a wide array of career options.” While the fair targeted veterans, military personnel and family members, it was open to all who are seeking jobs. In addition to Mr. Mohr’s quest for welding work, the event also attracted people who were interested in just about any employment.  “I’m here looking for anything. I’ve been looking for something for the past two months,” said Mike Torres of Davenport, as he visited the numerous tables filled with company representatives. “I would like to work with animals, maybe not with people so much.”

Variety of work sought

In another corner of Thursday’s Success Fair, Kyle Meinema of Colona, Illinois, said he just finished a job in the corporate world and was looking for a job that would get him out of the office setting. “I’m really looking for something outdoors. I don’t like sitting in an office all day,” he added. The many company reps on hand Thursday were offering many jobs – in and out of offices. One of those trying to get the attention of jobseekers was Sarah Perry, eastern regional recruiter for Hy-Vee grocery stores. Ms. Perry said she hoped to get dozens of visits to her table. She was looking to hire dozens of new employees, ranging from managers to pharmacists at area Hy-Vee stores. She also had a secret weapon to attract people – two large platters of cookies. She hoped they would bring people to her corner of the career fair. “We’re looking for people with a great smile, someone outgoing and who will give great customer service,” Mr. Perry added. Other company reps were also looking for employees with a positive attitude. For instance, Pam Hardester, senior manager of employee support and recruitment for the Frontier Hospitality Group, was looking for hotel workers in the region. She said  Frontier has eight immediate openings, and 20 or more openings for a new $18 million SpringHill Suites by Marriott that is now under construction in northern Bettendorf. (That new 86-room hotel is expected to be complete and open for business next April.) “We’re looking for people who want to work; people looking forward to their jobs,” Ms. Hardester said.

Goodies act as lures

The quest for those future workers started by attracting them to the tables by offering a wide variety of goodies. Some, like Hy-Vee, offered cookies. Others had a bowl of oranges, candy, sunglasses and water bottles. Almost all of them offered pins, business cards and brochures about their companies. Once employers got people to the tables, the reps started to tell the job seekers about the serious benefits of a particular job. For instance, Christina Kelly, human resources manager at 3M’s Cordova, Illinois, plant, was telling possible employees about 3M’s benefits: a starting wage of $28 an hour that goes up to $37 after four years, and three weeks of vacation for new employees.  “We’ve never had to recruit like this before. We’re just starting to go to these job fairs,” Ms. Kelly said. Many of 3M’s workers are getting near retirement and the company is looking for at least 30 new employees. Other company reps like Ms. Kelly were touting job benefits for one big reason: the war for workers continues as there is still a big need for employees at many area companies. Some company reps said that war is easing a bit for employers. “I think it’s getting better. We’ve had a good application flow,” said Ms. Perry of Hy-Vee’s quest to get new workers.

War for workers still on

However, others on Thursday said the struggle to get good employees has not improved. In fact, it might be getting worse. “We’re looking for hard-working people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty,” said Jennifer Coe, an employee at SERVPRO of Davenport and Bettendorf. That company, which does restoration work for water, fire and mold-related damages, is looking for at least five new employees. She added that SERVPRO will likely have to hire more than five people because some of its new hires agree to take the job and never show up or leave after one day of work . “It’s just very tough to get people to take these jobs,” she added. Amy Pepper of Economy Systems of Camanche, Iowa, said she is “in the same boat” as many other companies. Her employer is struggling to find employees. (Economy Systems is a full-service railcar shop offering cleaning, lining and repairs of railcars.) “I’m looking for welders right now. It’s tough to find welders who are going to show up for work every day,” she added. However, there was some good news for Ms. Pepper at the QC Success Fair. In the opening hour, she had handed out almost all of the job application forms she had available for at the fair. She thought that might be a good sign of job interest in the company. “Maybe things are turning around,” she said.