Hiring hurdles: Many local job-seekers facing unexpected difficulties

By Jazmine Knight

The state of the job market often depends on who you ask.

On one side are younger people struggling not only to secure employment but also to find something that supports their basic needs. On the other end of the spectrum, many believe there are jobs out there but no one wants to work them or start from the bottom and move up.

St. Joseph resident Alexis Lynch is one of those who hasn’t found the path to good employment easy. She recalls her experience trying to secure a job after searching for a year and not having a steady income for more than a month.

After graduating with a graphic design degree from Missouri Western State University, Lynch knew St. Joseph has a big manufacturing and industrial job market. With her degree, she’s tried to avoid that path as it isn’t her passion. However, it hasn’t been ideal for her family.

“I’m always still applying for those jobs. Most of those jobs are in Kansas City and I’m not the best driver, so that does worry me a bit,” Lynch, who is supporting a young son, said.

Instead, she’s turned to factory positions. She started working part-time but a move to full-time didn’t happen, so she started applying to other places, searching unsuccessfully for months.

“It was a mixture of never hearing back from them. One place I didn’t pass the physical … It’s not like I’ve been picky or anything. I (just) wasn’t what they were looking for,” she said.

Though she kept her part-time job for the majority of her search, she quit about a month ago, expecting to have other employment lined up. At the last minute, that job also fell through.

“So now it’s been months of applying for jobs almost constantly and I’m lucky to even hear back from most of them,” Lynch said. “People are like, ‘Nobody wants to work.’ There are a few of those, but there are also a lot of us who just want something better. We don’t want to make only $12 an hour. We can’t survive on that.”

Working to find work

Kristi Arthur with the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce said finding the right job is especially hard for younger workers who may not have the experience that stands out to employers. She offered some tips for those trying to break into the job market.

“You should always be networking. The more networking you do, the more people know that you’re out there and that you’re highly motivated to go to work,” Arthur said.

She also suggests curating your social media to avoid inappropriate or opinionated topics. It’s also important to develop specific resumes and cover letters for each position you apply to, she said.

“The computer may be scanning resumes and so if it doesn’t fit, there’s keywords that are not in your resume,” Arthur said. “You may want to make sure those are in there.”

Gaining some hard skills in computer programs such as Microsoft Excel or Office is beneficial too, she said.

And be sure to check back with employers if you’re not hearing anything back.

“Feel free to call or email the HR departments and follow up with your resumes,” Arthur said.

After interviews, write thank you notes and be patient. Sometimes it could take up to a month to hear something back.

The chamber also offers a site, www.choosesaintjoseph.com, with listings of available jobs.

Other roads to success

For those who are tired of searching, trying a different path may lead to the right job. Temp agencies in town such as IMKO Workforce Solutions assist residents in finding work that suits their needs.

“Since COVID, we have been struggling with the very low unemployment rates, which open up a lot of jobs,” said Natalie Rainey at IMKO Workforce Solutions.

IMKO specializes in industrial and skilled labor positions including forklift drivers, electricians, CDL drivers, mechanics and more.

“Some employers are willing to train, but right now we are seeing businesses being in a crunch time where they need already trained employees,” Rainey said. “If (job seekers) can get experience in forklift, welding or electrical, any of those trades, they are never going to be without a job in St. Joe.” 

Additionally, soft skills such as being on time, dressing appropriately and fulfilling all your tasks are never going out of style. 

“If they come in and we have a job that fits their skills, most of the time they will start the next day, possibly even the day after, depending on the interview,” Rainey said.

Side hustles are another way many can make ends meet while looking for the right job. Lynch has put her passion for graphic design to use. 

“I do make stained glass on the side and I sell with Nesting Goods,” she said. “Luckily that’s been one income that I’ve been able to rely on and I’m so thankful for the community supporting the Downtown stores, the local stores.”

Lynch’s story does have a happy ending. Using a temp agency, she was able to find a job in St. Joseph and will be starting soon.