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| Nathan Mishkin was recently hired by Scottrade in Boston. Joanne Ciccarello - staff |
Amid layoff news, many companies are still hiring
Some positions require advanced degrees, but a variety of skill levels are in demand.
from the April 7, 2008 edition
Page 3 of 3
The company is hoping the downturn in construction will send workers its way. "We have a contest every quarter for the driver who recruits the most new employees," says Bruce Stockton, vice president of maintenance and asset management. "Our best recruiters are our current drivers."
Despite massive layoffs on Wall Street, some parts of the financial sector are continuing to add to their head count. Scottrade, based in St. Louis, has 200 openings, says Jane Wulf, chief administrative officer. "We have to get more proactive than [in] the past," she says. "There is a lot of competition in St. Louis."
Sixty of the jobs are technology positions, but the firm is also hiring branch managers, brokers, and interns. One new hire is Nathan Mishkin in Boston, who interned for the company previously. "I see myself in the future working as a stock broker with Scottrade," says Mr. Mishkin, who landed the job three weeks after applying.
Some parts of the insurance industry are also expanding – such as Combined Insurance Co., which is based in Chicago and deals with supplemental life and health policies.
The company would like to hire up to 4,000 people this year, mostly commission-based agents who receive benefits. "It's a great opportunity for someone who does not like being in a structured organization but does well in the field," says Larry Kwalwaser, director of staffing and employee development.
GreenPath Debt Solutions, meanwhile, is searching as fast as it can for qualified applicants who have high credit scores themselves. In two weeks, it will begin training 20 applicants and then another 20 in May. "After that, we will bring in 20 every six to eight weeks," says Bill Lodge, director of human resources.
In the past year, one of the strongest industries has been the hospitality business. And some parts of it continue to grow, including Gaylord Hotels, which is based in Nashville, Tenn., and recently opened a $900 million resort at National Harbor, Md., just outside Washington.
To staff the hotel, Gaylord has hired 1,800 employees and still has positions open, says Jesse Stewart, vice president of human resources. "Right now, our major need is culinary. We're looking for cooks and we also need people in housekeeping," he says.
When the hotel opened, it had 16,000 applicants. Covering the event for a local business newspaper was Liza Gutierrez. She became so wrapped up in the hiring process, including a fashion show for new employees, that she applied to the company and started working there two weeks ago. "My priority is a great work environment," she says.
Even Uncle Sam is embarking on a hiring binge, according to Dennis Damp, author of "The Book of U.S. Government Jobs." Almost half of the 2.7 million federal employees are eligible for retirement or early retirement. "It's the leading edge of the baby-boomer exodus," he explains. "To attract new workers, some agencies are offering cash bonuses of $5,000 or more," Mr. Damp says. The average wage with benefits: $106,871. "It's a hidden job market," he adds.
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