Yorkville job fair draws 400

Diverse economy: Event seeks to match employees with employers

YORKVILLE — Brett Shriver likes his job at a large home-improvement retailer and the opportunities it gives him to meet with the public.

Still, the Lake Holiday man thinks he might be ready for a change, and that is primarily what drew him Tuesday to the Yorkville Economic Development Corporation's job fair here.

"I kind of basically relocated here from Iowa," said Shriver, whose wife's family lives in the Fox Valley area. "I've worked in production before, but I'm just looking to start over in my career search."

Dressed in a dark business suit, Shriver shook hands, chatted and left his resume with a number of firms at the job fair at Yorkville High School.

There were plenty to choose from, with health-care services, banking, warehouse and distribution, building trades, law enforcement, real estate, child care and others among a diverse mix of more than 35 companies.

A growing local economy, increased business activity and expanding pool of workers helped attract jobseekers to the third annual fair.

"We're definitely going to hit 400," said Lynn Dubajic, executive director of the Yorkville Economic Development Corporation.

"I've probably got over 60 resumes and applications," said Peg Duquette, manager of training and recruitment for Crate & Barrel's Naperville distribution center. "A good number of the people have the qualifications we are looking for."

Victor Fernandez, human resources manager for R & O Specialties in Aurora, said this is the first time his company has attended the Yorkville job fair. "It's been a great turnout, and we've actually scheduled a couple of interviews," he said.

For four hours, the high school cafeteria was transformed into a virtual smorgasbord of job opportunities. Students are on spring break this week, which made it an ideal time to try a new location, Dubajic said.

The arrangement in the high school's newly expanded wing allowed for additional elbow room between tables, as well as a separate area for seminars on resume writing, job-search strategies and interviewing.

Miguel Carreno, of Plano, sat at one table leafing through a company brochure.

"Actually, this is the first one of these I've been to," said Carreno, who is seeking work as a fork lift operator in a warehouse or distribution center. "That's pretty much my thing," he said.

A number of company officials said their firms are looking to grow in the area, and the job fair gave them a chance to promote their businesses.

"We're in an expansion mode," said Lisa Nelson, managing broker of the Yorkville office of Coldwell Banker Primus Realty. "This has been a wonderful experience, and I think the caliber of candidates has been excellent."