Firms pursuing workers

Ron Bartizek
rbartizek@timesleader.com

The Times Leader and Monster. com will present their second job fair Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Wachovia Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township.

More than 50 employers will participate, representing a wide range of industries and job classifications, including health care, manufacturing, customer service and technology.

Representatives of Monster, the leading online recruitment service, will present a free seminar, ìMaximize Your Job Potential,î at 11 a.m. and 12:30 and 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend the event, but job seekers are urged to bring several copies of their latest resume.

Ed Stanchak, director of employee relations at e-commerce firm Solid Cactus, said the companyís rapid growth has created immediate and anticipated openings.

ìLast year we had 30 employees, now we have 75,î he said. ìThe recruitment needs have grown.î

Solid Cactus offers a complete range of services to online retailers, so job offerings are varied.

Web programmers ñ ìThatís a big one,î Stanchak said ñ develop e-commerce Web sites. Computer science or information technology majors usually have the basic education needed.

Support people, both with technical and interpersonal skills, also are needed, as well as sales and marketing staffers.

ìWeíre always adding e-commerce consultants,î Stanchak said. They bridge the gap between the programming/design team and customers. ìTheyíre almost like a project manager.î

When it lands large new contracts, Solid Cactus needs to respond quickly, so Stanchak urges job seekers not to be discouraged if they donít get hired immediately.

ìWeíre always collecting applications,î he said, so call backs arenít unusual.

Also taking a booth will be Bayada Nurses, which has a local office in Pittston. Bonnie Wharton, personnel coordinator, said the agency places home health care aides and nurses almost exclusively in home environments.

ìWe work around peopleís schedules,î she said, and many Bayada employees use the assignments to supplement their income. ìThey tell us when they can work. We even have retired nurses who want to pick up a few hours.î

The agency covers all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

ìWeíre always hiring,î Wharton said.

Pay rates vary depending on the clientís insurance, she said, ìbut it will never be less than $9 per hourî for home health aides. The rate can go up to $12 and is always that on pediatric cases.

Nurses are paid from $18 up to $30 per hour, depending on the case, she said.

Applicants must have at least one year of experience and a clear criminal background history. Bayada offers some specialized training, Wharton said.

If you go

What: Times Leader/Monster. com Job Fair
When: Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Wachovia Arena, Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp.
Who: More than 50 employers in a wide range of industries

What else: Job seekers should bring plenty of copies of their resume

Ron Bartizek, Times Leader business editor, may be reached at 970-7157.