During the Greater Topeka Partnership’s annual Economic Outlook Conference on Friday, Freddy Mawyin, the GTP’s research manager, revealed 4,681 workers in Shawnee County remain out of a job.
“Small businesses are under severe financial stress,” he said, “and a large pool of workers have not yet recovered from the recession.”
The county’s unemployment rate in October was just over 5{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} — a notable drop from the 12.2{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} unemployment rate seen in April.
Mawyin indicated local employment numbers are “slowly improving.” Still, he said, it could be the second quarter of 2021 before local employment returns to pre-pandemic rates.
That information left some wondering about Topeka and Shawnee County’s current job market. Are there jobs out there for local unemployed workers, or do openings remain scarce?
How many jobs are available in Topeka and Shawnee County?
According to the public job-matching website KANSASWORKS, there are more than 1,800 job openings in Shawnee County and more than 2,300 jobs within 25 miles of Topeka, though transportation may be a barrier for some job seekers.
Barbara Stapleton, the Greater Topeka Partnership’s vice president of business retention and talent initiatives, said many local job openings are “pretty good positions” that may result in decent income.
“Employers are really needing candidates,” Stapleton said, adding that connecting employers with candidates hasn’t always been easy.
Diana Ramirez, owner of staffing agency Express Employment Professionals in Topeka, said her agency is currently advertising about 150 open positions in Shawnee County, and she has been “busier than ever this last quarter” trying to match job seekers with employment opportunities.
Of those 150 openings, which represent 77 different businesses, Ramirez said, about 50{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} are “evaluation-to-hire,” about 10{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} are “direct-to-hire” and close to 40{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} are temporary work.
“Keep in mind … temporary positions are a great way to get your foot in the door,” she said. “Out of those 40{c25493dcd731343503a084f08c3848bd69f9f2f05db01633325a3fd40d9cc7a1} I just identified as temp work, I would say there’s a good chance 40 to 50 percent we’re going to be surprised and they’re going to keep them a longer period of time than the actual request.”
Other staffing agencies in Topeka include Adecco Staffing, JM Staffing, Kwik Staff, Key Staffing and Premier Employment Solutions. Ramirez said there isn’t a fee to utilize services offered by any staffing agency in Kansas.
“I think they can be (a good resource),” Stapleton said of local staffing agencies. “I think it’s also good to reach out to multiple ones.”
What industries are hiring?
According to Stapleton, jobs listed on the KANSASWORKS website include “a pretty good blend” of positions. She noted the listings include security officer positions, mechanics and technicians, distribution and warehouse jobs, retail and grocery store positions, business analysts, mortgage loan originators, accountants, hospitality workers and more.
“You name it, there’s probably something that could be found,” Stapleton said.
She added that not every one of those more than 4,000 unemployed Shawnee County workers are going to directly align with those openings.
“I think employers are definitely open to considering that and looking at what someone could do even if they don’t have that direct experience,” she said. “If they have that work ethic to be able to fill those spots, that would go a long way.”
I’m worried available jobs won’t match my skillset. What should I do?
Ramirez suggests keeping an open mind and being flexible when it comes to looking for positions.
“I believe wholeheartedly that the employers are understanding and are trying to be flexible,” she said. “Have that confidence.”
And she also indicated many skills are transferable.
“Utilize the skills that you have acquired, and let’s talk to somebody like myself. All skills are transferable, and that’s what (staffing agencies are) good at,” Ramirez said. “Let’s say you were in the restaurant business and you have great customer service, because we all know we like to work with people who have great customer service. I think we probably could find something that would transfer over to. I think a lot of companies are open to that.”
Ramirez said she has also seen people come in looking for temporary work as they await opportunities that better suit them.
“These are individuals that are degreed, but they know unemployment’s not the answer,” Ramirez said. “They have said, ‘Put me in any position you have,’ and they’ve told us, ‘I’d like to, of course, make as much money as I can, but I understand this isn’t the position for the rest of my life. This is going to help me and my family get through these tough times.’ “
Stapleton encourages individuals worried about whether their skillset aligns with a position to reach out and talk with others who might be able to offer some help.
“Talk with various staffing agencies. Don’t be afraid to talk with the technical college to find out what it would take and what assistance there might be,” Stapleton said. “Be honest and communicate what your situation is. … That helps the person that you’re talking with be able to assist you more.”
For those who might be overqualified for some positions, Stapleton’s advice is similar.
“Acknowledge and say, ‘Hey, I recognize that I may be overqualified,’ ” Stapleton said. “If you’re trying to communicate with an employer directly, sometimes you need to put that in your additional information. … I think it’s that honesty and being able to communicate. That can go quite a long way.”
What if I don’t know how to create a résumé or cover letter?
Stapleton said there are several local resources that may be able to assist those looking for help creating applicable documents.
The Topeka Workforce Center, at 1430 S.W. Topeka Blvd., she said, offers support when it comes to résumé and cover letter writing, as well as preparing for interviews.
“The public library, too, has quite a few resources,” Stapleton said.
On the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library website, tscpl.org, users may click on the “Services” tab at the top of the home page to get to a “Job & Career Assistance” link where a variety of different resources are available.
“They have all sorts of stuff up there,” Stapleton said.
I’ve applied for a couple positions but haven’t heard back. Any advice?
Ramirez recommends job seekers be patient when waiting for a call back, but also don’t stop looking.
“Continue to search for other opportunities,” she said. “You’ll be surprised that when it rains it pours; you’re going to get multiple offers.”
Ramirez said it is also appropriate to follow up with a business to see if they have hired someone for the position yet.
“If they have and you have that conversation, inquire to see if there’s any other openings if you really want to go to that company,” she said. “But at the same time, just because of all the job opportunities that are available, don’t stop searching. Keep moving as quickly as you possibly can. You’ve got to look out for yourself.”
Stapleton recommends being diligent and strategic about the search process.
“Treat your job search like it’s a job,” she said. “That doesn’t mean that you spend eight to 10 hours a day trying to do it, but try to be a little more strategic. You are trying to represent yourself. … But also think about ‘OK, could I do this?’ Make sure you’re strategic in terms of where you’re looking. Continue to look in the same locations, and continue to look in new locations or ask others.”
