Job Fair at Centene Center

A Job Fair will be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Centene Center in Farmington. The event will give candidates the opportunity to meet with several of the area’s top employers face-to-face.

Staff from the Missouri Career Center will be on-site to assist job seekers with resume services and interview techniques.

“We are going to have a mini Career Center set up where we’ll have laptops available so those people needing to complete online applications will be able to do it right at the job fair,” said Linda Fitzgerald, Division of Workforce Supervisor/ Functional Leader for the Park Hills Missouri Career Center. “Certainly we will have all kinds of resume and job search tips. We have a wonderful flyer called ‘The Simple Job Search Plan’ and all of those things will be available in our mini Career Center.”

Mineral Area College Public Information Director Sarah Haas said the Daily Journal’s job fair is a great way for the college to showcase positions that need to be filled, and also career training options. “Part of getting a job is having the skills and education to impress potential employers, so MAC is really pleased that the Daily Journal offers this opportunity to showcase our short-term job training for local, in-demand healthcare positions,” she said. “Our Pharmacy Tech, Healthcare Maintenance, and LPN-RN hybrid program are just a few that take only months to complete, yet they can lead to meaningful employment in our area.”

Accent Marketing in Farmington, one of the area’s top employers, will present a company description and offer information on how to apply. According to Accent representatives the company currently employees 748 people and is looking to hire an additional 50 during the month of November.

“We offer the potential to make up to $15.50 an hour for engagement specialist with the bonus program we have,” said Accent Marketing Media Relations Specialist Rachel Nash. “We offer an employee referral bonus of up to $250 and a shift differential of $.50 for evening shift.”

The company offers some medical and dental benefits after 90 days and a 401K after 6 months as well as a positive working environment. Specialists receive fringe benefits such as employee appreciation days and fun activities including games, food and entertainment on a regular basis.

Two of the area’s medical centers, Parkland Health Center and Mineral Area Regional Medical Center will have booths at the job fair. Both hospitals offer entry level and advanced positions in a variety of fields. Pyramid Home Health Services and Corizon Correctional Health Care will also have representatives on hand.

Mineral Area College Truck Driver Training and Southeast Missouri Truck Driving School will be at the event offering information to those interested in the commercial transportation industry. Truck driving offers a unique chance for a higher than average income as well as the opportunity to see the county from the window of a “Big Rig.” In spite of the recession, commercial carriers continue to see a need for properly trained drivers. This trend is expected to continue well into the next decade. Many financial aid programs are available.

For those interested in military or law enforcement careers, representatives from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Navy will be at the event. Both of these organizations offer a chance to serve the public and have a long history of dedication and commitment.

“The Trooper career is designed to fulfill a person’s need to serve their community by reducing the number of accidents, the number of injuries and the number of deaths that occur each year on the highways,” said Human Resources Coordinator Lieutenant Roger Whittler. “People who feel the need to serve their community and like to assist should apply. Often there are situations where people need our help on the highway or in the community, and we respond and try to help. It’s not always a job where we are enforcing the law, a lot of times we are assisting with a vehicle that’s broke down or someone has lost contact with a loved one.”

Entry level and some skilled positions are available at several local manufacturing/industrial companies. Kelly Services will be seeking applicants for the TG Missouri plant in Perryville. Lee Mechanical of Park Hills, Ozark Steel of Farmington and Purcell Tire of Potosi will all have representatives at the fair. 

L.I.F.E., Inc. Employment Solutions will also be at the event. The corporation offers beneficiaries of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) SSDI and SSI programs the best quality information and support to successfully transition off of disability benefits and into meaningful employment at a sustaining level through the SSA’s Ticket to Work Program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of labor statistics the current unemployment rate in St. Francois County was 8.7 percent as of August 2012 compare to the statewide average of 7.2. The most recent census data shows 17,802 people employed in non-farm positions. The median household income was $38,598 compared to $46,262 on the state level for the period 2006-2012. Residents who hold a Bachelor’s or higher was reported at 14.8 percent. The average commute for workers 16 and up is 26 minutes.

The event is sponsored by ODACS Inc. and presented by the Daily Journal, KREI/KTJJ and Monster.

Pat Pratt is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010 ext. 172 or ppratt@dailyjournalonline.com

*Dress Professionally

*Have a resume/ cover letter available

*Have a list of personal/professional references with contact information available

*Have professional licenses/certificates available

*Appear at the fair well-rested and well-groomed

*Know something about the company you are applying for

*Ask questions about the company. Employers appreciate knowing you are interested in what they do and have to offer.

*Do not bring friends along to an interview/potential interview

*Be polite

*Address employers by their professional/courtesy title. Do not use a their first name unless they say it’s OK

*Make contacts at the fair and keep them in case you are called back for an interview 

Mineral Area Regional Medical Center

Southeast Mo. Truck Driving School

U.S. Navy

Lee Mechanical

Accent

Parkland Health Center

Kelly Services/TG Missouri

Ozark Steel

Corizon Correctional Health Care

Western Southern Financial Group

Classic Equine Equipment

Purcell Tire

Missouri State Highway Patrol

Empire Finance

Pryamid Home Health Services

Children’s Foundation of Mid America

Robinson Construction

MAC Truck Driver Training