The news was met with a sigh of relief. One of Sacramento's largest employers decided to stay put after talk of leaving California. Better still, it announced plans to hire more workers.
Weeks after Vision Service Plan in late October committed to staying in the region, the global firm is hiring at its Rancho Cordova headquarters.
VSP hopes to fill as many as 150 positions, said workforce development director Shauna Harrington, ranging from information technology to marketing and public relations; business and financial analysts.
About 2,100 people in the Sacramento area work for VSP.
"We're working to fill those right now. There are several positions in IT, software designers, architects; anything in the communications space," Harrington said.
Though the hiring talk counters the recent news from Campbell Soup Co., Comcast Corp. and, now, Hostess Brands Co., Harrington said the challenge now is to find candidates with specific skills.
"Hiring has become more complex, and the demand for specific skills is increasing. As we've become more global, there's so much more specialization than ever before," Harrington said.
So, what skills are VSP recruiters seeking?
"Usually, the skills we look for are critical thinking skills – crunching data, qualitative and quantitative analysis," Harrington said.
Job seekers can register and find more information at www.vspglobal.com/careers.
Whether it's a position at VSP or an opportunity elsewhere, Harrington said job seekers should reach out to people in the industries in which they hope to work.
"A lot of positions in the market aren't even advertised right now," Harrington said. "The biggest advice (for job seekers) is to know what they want to do. Looking for a job is a full-time job.
"Establish relationships and make contacts with the people in the industry they want to dive into."
Fitness group has jobs
Orangevale-based California Family Fitness is seeking sales managers and membership consultants at a career fair at its corporate offices.
The event is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, 8680 Greenback Lane, Orangevale.
Job seekers are asked to bring résumés and can meet with department managers about positions with the company.
Sales candidates should have prior sales experience.
For more information, visit www.californiafamilyfitness.com.
Health postings lead way
Sacramento's health care employers continue to lead the way in area online job postings, according to the latest data from the state's Employment Development Department.
Three of the Sacramento area's major health networks – Dignity Health, Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente – combined for more than 1,700 postings in October.
Dignity Health posted more than 900 online ads, followed by Sutter Health and Kaiser, according to the EDD's monthly Help Wanted OnLine report.
Rounding out the firms with the most listings were a mix of technology, personnel and banking employers: Intel, personnel firm Allegis Group, lenders Bank of America and Wells Fargo, and staffing firms Randstad Technologies and Aerotek.
Let us hear from you
Is your company hiring? Is your organization hosting a career fair?
Is your campus rolling out a job skills program?
Contact Job Front at dvsmith@sacbee.com.
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