A Better Opportunity
Job seekers and employers match up at second annual Wharton County Job Fair
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Dressed for success, Nadine Steele of El Campo uses the information from one job application to help fill out another. Steele attended Thursday's Wharton County Job Fair with the idea of finding a full-time job to replace her current part-time employment.

Gazing around the Wharton Civic Center, Chandra Spenrath only saw positives during Thursday's Wharton County Job Fair.

The executive director of El Campo's City Development Corp., Spenrath said the event was a different kind of success compared to last year's inaugural event, which was held in El Campo. Initially planned for workers being displaced by cutbacks at Cardell Cabinets in El Campo, it was opened up to the general public at the last minute.

This year's event, on the other hand, was planned from the start to offer all area residents a chance to meet with job recruiters.

"Last year's event was a huge success," she said.

"This year's is more of a planned success, with the whole county involved. Job fairs are new to the area and I think over the next three to five years, it will become a full-fledged event, including trade fairs, and well-known not only in Wharton County but also attract attention from the surrounding counties."

Staff photo by Barry Halvorson Explaining the benefits of employment with Capital One Bank, Bank Recruiter Tim Mitchell goes over a brochure with El Campo's Vickie Ortiz, left, and Wharton resident Allie Ray, right, during Thursday's Wharton County Job Fair. Held at the Wharton Civic Center this year, organizers are hoping to grow the annual meeting between employers and job seekers in the future.

During the first two hours, 10 a.m. to noon, Spenrath said more than 200 job seekers walked through the doors of the Wharton Civic Center.

But she was more impressed by the estimated 40 potential employers who set up booths at the show.

"The companies are here to sell themselves as much as people are here looking for jobs," she said. "They need employees and are willing to come to Wharton County to find them."

Those hunting for jobs included people looking for work and those looking to improve their working conditions. El Campo resident Nadine Steele said she currently works part-time and that just isn't enough. As part of her approach, she was dressed for success in a suit.

"I try to dress like this most of the time," she said. "I think it projects a professional image to be better dressed."

Spenrath said she appreciated the effort given by job seekers like Steele, who spiffed up for their job hunting.

"I think that's a good reflection on the county and impresses the employers," she said. "We had people coming in wearing suits and ties and we thought they were there to recruit, then they told us they were there looking."

And while dressing for success is considered a plus, Capital One Bank recruiter Tim Mitchell said being prepared to answer questions is more important in his eyes. A Wharton High and University of Houston graduate, Mitchell has experience on both sides of the recruiting desk, having worked for the state's employment agency The WorkSource before signing on with the bank.

"Now I solicit business for the bank, but before that, I was soliciting jobs from them," he said.

"While how people look is important, I try not to judge a book by its cover by basing any recommendations on physical appearance alone. When I'm speaking to people, I'm making mental notes during the conversation to judge attitude, aptitude and interest. I'd rather hire someone who was dressed down for the job fair but used to looking professional, than someone who is dressed up for the day but is uncomfortable looking that way on a daily basis."

The WorkForce's Debbie Kana also appreciated that job seekers appeared in a wide range of age as well as with casual to professional appearances. She also liked seeing a busload of students from Wharton High School.

"But you have to understand that this is not a career day but a job fair. The people here are looking to hire people for openings now."

Katherine Kicherski and Michael Hester were at the fair recruiting for the Boll Weevil Eradication Program, a nonprofit agriculture industry program. Their booth featured signs advertising not only the program but also immediate openings for a secretary and a mechanic.

"We've got some good solid applications," Kicherski said. Hester added it was possible at least one of the positions would be filled by the end of the day.

"We actually have four people here but two are back interviewing applicants for the mechanic position."

The additional space offered by the civic center was another plus, Spenrath said. Last year's event was held in El Campo's Northside Center with most of the recruiters fit into tight quarters in a main hallway.

"This is a better situation because we can handle more recruiters and still give them more space," she said. "It gives them a chance to conduct interviews with a little more privacy."

While currently unemployed, Vickie Ortiz of El Campo said she is a certified pharmacy technician and was looking for work in her field with a hospital or care facility. But she was also filling out applications for other opportunities.

"I wouldn't be open to a whole lot outside my career field, but you never know," she said.

"More than anything, I want something where there are no limits on potential advancement. The best thing about this is that it has all these employers together in one location. I have a tendency to procrastinate and when I have to go somewhere, pick up an application, take it home, fill it out and then return it, I tend not to do it. Here, I can fill out several at once."

Also taking advantage of the multiple opportunities is future Boling resident Mason Collins.

"I'm looking for new employment," the Houston man said. "I thought I had a couple of jobs lined up in Rosenberg but they fell through. And this is a great opportunity for me because you have so many companies here actively seeking employees. And I'm open to all things although my skills and talents are mainly in construction or maintenance."

Some of those applying were looking for new work.

"I want to find a better job," Wharton's Allie Ray said.

"I'd like to get into the health care profession but what I'm really looking for is something that pays better and offers some benefits, like health care for my child."

El Campo's Dominique Norman said she was also looking for a better job and had filled out five applications before noon. Filling out applications beside her was Wharton's Roshanda Sims.

"I'm working a couple of jobs and a lot of hours a week but it's all at night," she said. "I'd like something paying more but I'd really like something that lets me work during the day."