Job seekers will have an opportunity to connect with dozens of employers across various industries at the Jefferson County Job Fair.
The event, which is free to attend, will take place from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Fox C-6 Service Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold.
Sponsors include Leader Publications, the Fox C-6 School District, Jefferson College, the city of Arnold, the Arnold Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County Library.
Marjie Sammons, an Arnold Chamber of Commerce board member and job fair liaison, said people of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re just graduating today or you’ve been out of school for 20 years and you’re just kind of maybe getting back into something and you want to revise your resume,” Sammons said. “You’re welcome to be there.”
The event will have dozens of vendors in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, office work and more. Ambassadors from the chamber will be there to assist attendees throughout the fair.
“I think it’s just a good environment, and it’s a resource that’s very accessible and valuable for anybody that’s looking for a job,” Sammons said.
She recommends job seekers dress nicely and bring a resume since many employers conduct interviews and hire on site.
“It’s been amazing how many people have actually received jobs over the years there at the job fair,” she said.
While the focus of the job fair is to connect job seekers and employers, there will be a number of other free services available.
Jefferson College’s Workforce and Employment Services will be there to help attendees with their resumes and social media profiles.
“We will have a photographer there that will redo your headshots at no cost for your LinkedIn or maybe your Facebook page, so that you have a professional presentation,” Sammons said.
The Jefferson County Library will also share information on library services. Samson said the library’s technology and assistance can make a big difference for online applications.
The job fair is also a fundraiser for the Arnold Chamber of Commerce and is funded by vendor fees and fair sponsorships.
“The Leader has been very generous that they donate a portion of the proceeds back to the Arnold Chamber of Commerce for the projects that we have going on,” Sammons said.
For more information, call Leader Publications at 636-931-7560 or email ads@myleaderpaper.com.
-- Alyssa Fitzgerald
Learn about the employers that will be at the job fair at www.myleaderpaper.com/jobs.
Companies attending Jefferson County Job Fair are hiring
By Sarah Lerch
Dozens of companies will be attending the annual Jefferson County job fair, making for a wide range of options for job seekers.
Jefferson College
Jefferson College has several positions available on both the Hillsboro and Arnold campuses.
Emma Earls, human resource recruitment assistant at Jefferson College, said they are hiring staff, faculty and temporary positions.
Within the full-time faculty, they are in search of EMT and nursing positions. There are also adjunct faculty, which are part-time instructors.
Earls said adjunct teaching is a great way to start out at the college.
“(Adjunct teaching) is a really good way also to get your foot in the door,” she said. “Teaching at Jefferson College to maybe further your teaching career and go into a full-time teaching role.”
The college also has temporary positions available, which are also on an as-needed basis.
As for the staff positions available, the college is hiring for a campus police officer, maintenance technician, custodian and a testing specialist.
Earls said the staff positions are the college’s highest priority to hire.
“With our staff positions, those are going to be the more, higher priority positions, ones that we are actively recruiting for and wanting filled,” she said.
Mercy Hospitals
Mercy is hiring at multiple locations including Jefferson, South and St. Louis.
Katie Horton, a Mercy recruitment manager, said they are hiring for many types of positions, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, imaging professionals, pharmacists and medical lab technicians. Support positions are also available, which include food service, environmental services, patient transport, sterile processing and clerical roles such as patient access and patient services.
Horton said a lot of the clinical positions require previous education and experience.
“Anything (like) nursing, imaging, respiratory are what we consider our allied health and our nursing positions; those are usually going to all require formal education as well as professional licensure,” she said. “Most of the support positions really sometimes (require) a high school diploma, sometimes not, and really just good customer service or hospitality experience. We’re willing to train for a lot of those positions.”
First Community
First Community Credit Union is in search of some corporate office and branch operation positions.
Tanya Kirkikis, assistant vice president of human resources and training at First Community, said a large skill set is not required for these positions.
“What is recommended or helpful is the customer service end and on our branch operations, if they’ve had any type of cash handling,” she said. “We have an extensive training program, so we do consider these entry level, and we go through all their training.”
Wilson Manufacturing
Wilson Manufacturing is seeking entry-level machinists and machine operators.
Joy Seymore said these are entry-level positions and the company will train employees to best suit the job.
Northwest R-1 School District
Dan Kelly, chief human resource officer at the district, said the school district is searching for building paraprofessionals, speech language pathologists, substitute positions and cafeteria workers.
When looking to fill full-time positions, mainly in the area of paraprofessionals, the district prefers applicants with certification through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or other organizations known for providing certifications, he said.
Kelly said the speech language pathologist position at Brennen Woods Elementary would be the school’s highest hiring priority.
“Though it is only part time, it’s specialized in the area of speech language pathology, (we want to) make sure that our students have the support in those areas of communication,” he said. “That could be (hiring) someone that is potentially a retired speech language pathologist or someone who has recently graduated and looking to gain some experience in that field before they transition it into a full-time experience in the fall.”
Search tips, strategies can reduce stress of job hunt
By Kate Bequette
Effective job-hunting strategies are essential for finding work or changing careers, but beginning your search can be an overwhelming task.
Jessie Montgomery, a workforce training and employment specialist in Workforce and Employment Services at Jefferson College and a certified career services provider through the National Career Development Association, shared how to make the job-hunting process less stressful and how to identify what type of job you will enjoy.
Montgomery, 41, of De Soto has been in her current position for four years and has worked with college students in several areas of student services.
When a person is beginning to seek a new or first-time job, it is always best to use more than one source, she said. Online job boards are useful, but they should only be one piece of your search, she added.
“Look at company career pages, local employers, professional organizations, staffing agencies, Missouri Job Centers and college career services,” Montgomery said.
“Especially in a more rural area, I sometimes tell people to pull up a map of their town and just look at the businesses around them. You may discover employers you never thought to search for. Then look at their websites or social media pages to see how they advertise openings.”
If searching for jobs online is your preferred method, Montgomery encourages job seekers to use the filters on websites like Indeed or MoJobs to narrow the search by location, full- or part-time work, experience or education level and how recently the job was posted.
O*NET OnLine is also beneficial for exploring occupations, interests, education requirements, wages, skills and more.
Before starting the job search, reflect and identify your skills and strengths, which will be helpful when trying to narrow the search for a job, Montgomery said.
“Start with yourself before starting with the job title,” she said. “Ask yourself: What am I good at? What kinds of problems do I enjoy solving? What environment works well for me? What matters to me in a job? What skills have I developed through work, school, volunteering, hobbies or other experiences?
“Then research careers instead of relying on what you assume a job title means,” she said. “And sometimes the best question isn’t, ‘What is my perfect career?’ It’s, ‘What is a good next step that lets me use my strengths and learn more?’”
If you’re someone who is looking for entry-level jobs with little or no experience, Montgomery said to first remember that “no professional experience” does not mean “no skills.”
“You may have developed valuable skills through classes, projects, part-time jobs, volunteering, athletics, caregiving, student organizations or just everyday responsibilities. Look at the job description and identify what the employer actually needs. Then ask yourself where you have demonstrated those skills,” Montgomery said.
“Maybe you’ve never worked in an office, but you’ve handled customers at a restaurant, managed deadlines in school, used technology, worked on teams and solved problems. Those experiences can absolutely translate,” she added.
When looking for a job, it is important to not reject yourself, as job descriptions often describe an employer’s ideal candidate.
“If you meet the core requirements and can demonstrate many of the skills they need, consider applying,” Montgomery said.
One of the biggest things Montgomery hears from job seekers is, “I don’t have any skills.”
“…Then we talk for 10 minutes, and they’ve described customer service, teamwork, technology, problem-solving, communication and leadership. Sometimes the problem isn’t a lack of skills. It’s learning how to recognize and talk about them,” she said.
Montgomery said she wished people understood that they do not have to have their entire career figured out before they can make a good next decision.
“Careers are rarely perfectly straight lines. Your first job doesn’t have to be your forever job,” she said. “Your college major does not have to define every job you will ever have. People build skills, discover new interests, change industries and grow throughout their careers.”
Montgomery said a job search becomes overwhelming when every single action feels like it must result in employment immediately.
“Set some boundaries around the search, too. Give yourself a certain amount of time to work on it and then do something else. Rest is not going to ruin your career,” she said.“Ask for help. Have someone review your resume. Practice interviewing. Meet with career services or a Missouri Job Center.
"Job searching can feel very personal because you are repeatedly putting yourself out there to be evaluated. Having some support makes a difference.”
Writing a resume for today’s job market
By Carrson McDaniel
In the 2026 job market, a well written resume may be the only way to stand out among the hundreds of faceless applicants on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor and other employment-focused websites.
Abigail Woods, a workforce training and employment specialist at Jefferson College, said the biggest mistake on a resume is trying to make it one size fits all.
“Job seekers should tailor their resume for each position, pulling keywords directly from the job posting so both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems recognize the match,” she said.
Woods also said individuals should lead with their accomplishments and not just their regular responsibilities.
“Use numbers where you can, like ‘Increased sales 15 percent’ instead of ‘Responsible for sales,’” she said.
Woods said people often undersell themselves on their resumes because they don’t think experiences such as part-time jobs, class projects or volunteer work count.
“Any experience where you solved a problem, worked on a team or took initiative is worth including,” she said. “It’s about how you frame it, not just what the job title was.”
Woods said a pre-made resume template may hurt your job chances.
“A lot of flashy templates use text boxes, columns or graphics that confuse applicant tracking systems, so your information never makes it to a human reviewer,” she said. “The simpler the format, the better – a clean, single-column layout with standard headings reads correctly every time.”
As for cover letters, they aren’t always required with an application, Woods said. Including one can set you apart from other candidates, she added.
“Your resume shows what you’ve done, but your cover letter explains why it matters for this job,” she said.
Woods said cover letters should be between three to four short paragraphs.
“Use it to tell a brief story: why you’re interested in the role, how your experience connects to what they’re looking for, and something about your personality or work style a resume can’t capture,” she said.
At the Jefferson College Job Fair on Oct. 14, representatives from the college will be available to answer questions and review resumes.
Aaliyah Kindt, public engagement manager for the Jefferson County Library, said the Jefferson County Library also provides information on resume and cover letter writing year-round.
One of these resources, Learning Express, is available at all the Jefferson County Library branches.
Kindt said Learning Express is available 24 hours a day and requires a library card to access.
She also said the resource can be used by patrons to master standardized tests like ACT, SAT, ESL and LSAT.
“It can additionally help the user find non-biased information on professional development or how to navigate a career journey,” Kindt said.
She also said Jefferson County Library is “passionate” about empowering patrons with collections, services and programs.
“Locals can check out books to hack their career goals, utilize print services for a fresh resume or take many of our free-to-the-public programs to learn topical hacks (through) Canva or Google Suite Basics,” Kindt said.
To learn more about Learning Express, visit jeffcolib.org.
For more information about resources offered at Jefferson College, visit jeffco.edu/wes.
Clean up your digital footprint for employers
By Carrson McDaniel
A standard background legal check has long been a common practice in the hiring process.
Now, social media has become a valuable tool for hiring managers who want to research potential job candidates.
And job seekers are even looking for their next gig on social media.
A 2021 survey from job posting platform Indeed found that 41 percent of prospective candidates use social media sites to search for jobs.
Social media platforms have been a living document of our lives and often haunt us for years to come. Similar to leaving a physical footprint behind, a digital footprint is left behind whenever anyone uses the internet.
According to the University of Maryland, it is defined as “the unique trail of data that a person or business creates while using the internet.”
There are two types of digital footprints: active and passive.
The University of Maryland states that examples of active digital footprints are social media posts, online reviews, shared personal information and website subscriptions.
Examples of passive digital footprints include IP addresses, browser history and geolocation services.
According to human resources platform BambooHR, warning signs that employers look for when researching prospective candidates’ social media accounts include:
- Excessive cursing
- Hard partying
- Extreme political opinions
- Unlawful activity (drugs, underage drinking)
- Racist or sexist comments
- Violent or aggressive behavior (including trolling or stalking)
- Sexually explicit material
- Confidential information
Officials at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommend individuals should think about their intended audience when posting on social media, avoid posting under emotional stress and not engage with trolls.
Abigail Woods, a workforce training and employment specialist at Jefferson College, said job seekers should start cleaning up their digital footprint by searching their name online.
“Some employers routinely Google candidates before an interview, so it’s worth searching your own name and seeing what comes up,” she said. “Honestly, a lot of people don’t realize how far back employers can dig. Old tweets, comments or photos from high school can resurface.”
Woods said job seekers should set their social media accounts to private when possible and remove questionable photos and posts.
Woods also said having private accounts or a more subdued online presence will not hurt your job prospects.
“Employers aren’t expecting you to be an open book on social media,” she said. “What raises concerns is the opposite: public posts that are unprofessional, offensive or reflect poorly on judgment.
“A quiet online presence is far safer than a messy public one. Where it can help to have a public presence is on professional platforms like LinkedIn.”
She also said if you do have a LinkedIn account, make sure it is up to date and professional.
Woods said a good habit to follow is to perform a self-audit online.
“Search your name, check privacy settings, and think twice before posting anything you wouldn’t want a future boss to see,” she said. “Remember that it is about building a positive and professional digital presence.”
Preparation can take worry out of a job interview
By Sarah Lerch
You’ve landed the job interview and then the nerves kick in.
What should you do to prepare for the appointment and to stand out among your peers?
Those nagging thoughts can leave you dreading, rather than hoping, for success. But some simple preparations can ease those concerns.
According to a study by National University, applications per job opening have doubled since spring 2022, with applications per hire increasing 182 percent from 2021-2024.
When entering the job interview, you’re wanting to make a good impression and be prepared for what the potential employer will ask.
According to the job search platform Indeed, the preparations begin before you sit down for that interview.
Review the job description you initially applied for so that you can be prepared to share your qualifications that match the job’s needs. Be prepared to clearly list what experiences you have that would make you valuable to the team and the position.
About 50 percent of employers cite a lack of relevant experience as the primary obstacle to hiring someone, not pay, according to a study by National University.
As the interview day approaches, consider what you will wear to the appointment.
Your appearance can send messages to potential employers about your motivation, judgment, professionalism and “fit” within the organization, according to an article published by the University of San Francisco.
If you are unsure if the attire is business professional or casual, aim for a more formal approach.
Other considerations include:
- Making sure clothes do not appear wrinkled.
- Shorts are generally not considered appropriate for interviews.
- Smell clean but avoid strong smelling colognes or perfumes.
- Ensure your oral hygiene is in check by brushing teeth or using a breath freshener before the interview.
On the day of the interview, arrive a bit early or on time and make sure your cell phone is silenced so your full attention can be focused on the interview, experts say.
As the interview begins, you can offer a preprinted resume to the potential employer.
During the course of the interview, you may have an opportunity to ask questions, which can show your interest and eagerness for the job.
Those questions might include:
- What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
- What does the onboarding process entail?
- What would you expect from me on a weekly basis?
- How would you describe the workplace culture?
- What are some of the biggest challenges this position may face?
If you feel comfortable, you could consider asking the interviewer about their time at the company. Questions might include:
- How long have you worked here?
- What drew you to the job?
- Why do you enjoy working here?
As the interview concludes, important parting questions would be what are the next steps in the hiring process and when you should expect to hear back from the potential employer.
Thank the interviewer for the interview and leave.
As a follow-up gesture, you can send a thank you note to the company, expressing your gratitude for the interview.