BIG Book of Jobs - Spring 2022 by Kate Noet

localmatters

SOUTHERN MINN

SPRING 2022

INSIDE • How employers benefit from engaging employees • Local company utilizes creative strategies to bring in new workers

Daily News FARIBAULT

Northfield News

News-Review Lonsdale Area

weekend Northfiled News

sampler sampler sampler sampler Daily News FARIBAULT

SERVING RICE COUNTY

People’s Press

COUNTY NEWS

SERVING STEELE COUNTY

SERVING WASECA COUNTY

OWATONNA

SERVING ST PETER, LE SUEUR,

LE CENTER & HENDERSON

WASECA

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CostCo Depot in owatonna is hiring! If you have the desire to work in a fast-paced, fun environment with a diverse group of people, look no further. Costco is hiring for several positions at the new Costco Depot located in Owatonna. They are hiring forklift and power equipment operators, maintenance assistants, and returns employees in both refrigerated and dry environments. Starting pay is $18.50 an hour, and after accrued hours and years of service top scale is $27.20 an hour with bonus. Great benefits for full and part time employees. Apply online at costco.com. Costco is an equal opportunity employer. in 2021, Costco won for Best places to work. in 2020, Costco won for Best Company perks & Benefits and Best Company happiness.

Your Career Starts Here. Apply Now! www.Costco.com 3601 SW 10th Street, Owatonna, MN

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AurorA PhArmAceuticAl is hiring! Aurora Pharmaceutical is a rapidly growing company headquartered in Northfield. Due to high growth, we are expanding our production team.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

SPRING 2022 CONTENT

How employers benefit from engaging employees more effectively Advanced degrees are growing in popularity

10 14 18

Factors to consider when vetting post-pandemic career opportunities Local company utilizes creative strategies to bring on new workers

How to navigate a salary negotiation

Production techniciAns Wage starts at $20/hr, but could be higher depending on qualifications. Shifts are 7:00am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. Our insurance benefits plans are $1 per pay period for individuals (this includes medical, dental, vision, short term disability and life insurance)!

TOM KELLING Regional Advertising Director Media Consultants tom.kelling@apgsomn.com TONI SCHMIDT Employment Specialist Consultant toni.schmidt@apgsomn.com

For a full job description, please go to our website at: https://aurorapharmaceutical.com/careers/ Please apply by sending resume to jsewich@aurorapharmaceutical.com.

1196 Hwy 3 South, Northfield, MN 55057 Equal Opportunity Employer

226 Nassau St. | 507.931.4000 | www.fnbmn.bank

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BE THE SUNSHINE IN SOMEONE’S DAY.

If you have a passion for serving others, Ecumen has rewarding career opportunities available — many of which require no experience. Ecumen offers competitive pay, great beneﬁts, and an Employee Referral Bonus Program. Now hiring Full-time & Part-time Resident Assistant (RA)*, Caregiver*, Certiﬁed Nursing Assistant (CNA)*, Dining Assistant*, Cook*, Trained Medical Assistant (TMA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Life Enrichment*, Housekeeping*, and other leadership opportunities.

Ecumen Brooks

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care 2480 St. Paul Rd. | Owatonna, MN 55060 ecumenbrooks.org | 507-446-5855

Ecumen CountrySide

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care 650 El Dorado St. | Owatonna, MN 55060 ecumencountryside.org | 507-446-8334

Ecumen Pathstone

Text ECUMEN to. 97211 to apply ecumen.org/greatpeople | jobs@ecumen.org

Ecumen is an award-winning nonproﬁt senior housing & services provider. jobs@ecumen.org | 651-766-4333 * No experience/certiﬁcation required.

Ecumen Prairie Hill

Ecumen Sand Prairie

Independent Living | Assisted Living | Respite 700 Knight St. | St. Peter, MN 56082 ecumensandprairie.org | 507-934-2200

EOE: disability/veteran

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MAKE YOUR MARK THE WORLD’S LEADER IN AIR CONDITIONING NOW HIRING

Daikin Applied is a manufacturer of commercial, industrial, and institutional heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. Our corporate headquarters is in Plymouth, MN. There are also manufacturing facilities located in Faribault and Owatonna, MN. We have multiple shifts and positions available in assembly, brazing, equipment operators and more. We will also provide you with the training to ensure that you are set up for success.

NOW HIRING AT OUR FARIBAULT NORTH, FARIBAULT SOUTH, AND OWATONNA LOCATIONS

BENEFITS Competitive Salary • Benefits Package $2,000 Sign-On Bonus • Paid Holidays 401k match

INTERESTED? CALL (507) 400-6600 OR APPLY ONLINE AT www.jOINDAIkIN.COm

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT EPIC ENTERPRISE! Immediate Openings for Personal Support Assistant/Job Coach Go home every night knowing you made a difference in a person’s life. Epic staff encourage and support people with disabilities to live meaningful and rewarding lives. What Epic staff are saying: “I get paid to do what I love, I teach music daily.” What people being supported by Epic are saying: “Epic staff take me volunteering which I love.”

Provide day and employment supports to adults with disabilities. Starting from $15 an hour, opportunity to increase wages & responsibilities based on competency.

Monday-Friday Day Shifts! For more information and to apply: Visit www.epicenterpriseinc.org Or call 507-645-6800 Epic Enterprise, PO Box 186, 430 Railway Street Dundas, MN 55019 EOE

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

ADVANCED DEGREES ARE GROWING IN POPULARITY Many college grads are continuing their educations after earning bachelor’s degrees. Roughly 13.1 percent of American adults have an advanced degree, which is up from 8.6 percent in 2000, according to findings from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Eductional Attainment in the United States: 2018. As of 2016, 28.5 percent of Canadians had a bachelor’ s degree or higher, says Statistics Canada. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center says enrollment in graduate programs continues to grow. It rose 3.6 percent in fall 2020 from a year earlier, and 4.4 percent during the spring 2021 semester, perhaps spurred on by the global pandemic and schools’ more flexible course offerings that cater to remote students. Despite their growing popularity, advanced degrees do not always translate into higher salaries or improved job prospects. The research site Educationdata.org says about 9 percent of Americans have master’s degrees, but the degrees increased employability by less than 3 percent. Furthermore, the cost of a master’s degree nearly doubles the average debt held by people with bachelor’s degrees, according to the personal finance marketplace Credible. In addition, certain business owners may even pass up on applicants with advanced degrees because the students had been in school too long or tended to assume their degrees make them worth more, according to a report by Fox Business. That report indicates less than 10 percent of employers believe colleges do a good job of preparing students for the working world, and many employers value applicants who prioritize real-world experience over schooling. This is information students need to consider when thinking about pursuing advanced degrees.

How employers benefit from engaging employees more effectively

he COVID-19 pandemic prompted millions of people to reconsider their careers. That reflection has had a profound effect on the labor market. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that 4.5 million people quit their jobs in the United States in November 2021, which led to a near recordhigh number of job openings around the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. Though the pandemic may have led millions of people who were previously dissatisfied with their careers to make positive changes, employers forced to confront staff shortages may be wondering what they can do to attract qualified and talented candidates. Finding ways to engage workers more completely could benefit companies in various ways. A recent poll from Gallup found that companies suffer some pretty significant consequences when

their employees are disengaged. Gallup reports that such companies suffer from 16 percent lower profitability, 18 percent lower productivity and 37 percent lower job growth. No two workers are the same, so there’s no magic wand employers can wave that will ensure everyone is suddenly engaged and satisfied with their jobs and career prospects. However, recognition of what employees value most could help businesses retain workers longer and keep those workers engaged. A recent survey of 540 full-time employees from the market insight firm Clutch found that the most important workplace values for full-time employees are fair pay and fair treatment. It’s no surprise that compensation bears such significance, as pandemic-related inflation and global conflicts have led to rising costs on everything from food to fuel. However, a survey from the risk

management experts at Willis Towers Watson found that there’s a disconnect between employees and employers in regard to the importance of fair pay and its relation to workplace stress. Employees consider low pay to be the second greatest source of workplace stress, while employers indicated that eight other factors are greater sources of such stress for their employees. Employers concerned about staff dissatisfaction, and the effects that disengaged employees can have on their bottom lines, can make a concerted effort to revisit their compensation policies. An overhaul of such policies could be just what companies need to reengage employees and improve employee retention, giving businesses a significant advantage in an era marked by significant turnover in the labor force.

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WHAT OUR EMPLOYEES SAY

“I love having the opportunity to learn new things daily.” Angelica Goff,

Supply Chain Assistant

FIND YOUR IDEAL CAREER AT THE IDEAL COMPANY JOIn Our teaM We are CurrentLy SeekIng: Metal Machine Operator - 1st & 2nd shift Manufacturing Assembler - 1st & 2nd shift CNC Machine Operator - 2nd Shift Powder Paint Line Operator - 1st Shift Welder Metal Fabricator - 1st & 2nd shift PT Machine Operators - 1st & 2nd shift PT Production Assembler - 1st & 2nd shift PT Production Welder - 1st & 2nd shift PT Sweeper / Scrubber - 2 nights/week, 5hrs/night Distribution/Warehouse Clerk - 1st & 2nd shift Production Manager Manufacturing Engineer Senior Construction Contract Specialist Contract Specialist Project Coordination Supervisor HR Assistant, Payroll & Benefits HR Assistant,Talent Acquisition Production Planning Supervisor Global Senior Buyer Production Planner Designer Installer Technician IT Systems Software Engineer Product Software Engineer IT Operations System Administrator

“I think the culture at

550+

EMPLOYEES

SYRACUSE, NY OWATONNA, MN

Find your future career @ wengercorp.com/jobs Wenger Corporation | 555 Park Drive | Owatonna, MN

“I think Wenger the is full culture of hard committed atworking, Wenger is full that are ofemployee’s hard working, very proud of the committed products they produce employee’s that for customers around are the very proud world. ” Mikeproducts Jensen of the Cell Lead Customs/Full they produce for Stage Shell customers around the world.” Mike Jensen Cell Lead Customs/Full Stage Shell

CELEBRATING

75 YEARS

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Factors to consider when vetting post-pandemic career opportunities

he COVID-19 pandemic left no aspect of life as the world knew it before 2020 untouched. In the wake of the pandemic, students were forced to learn in new ways, individuals were forced to find new ways to maintain relationships with family and friends and employers and employees were forced to confront an emerging notion of the workplace. Since the World Health Organization first declared a global pandemic in March 2020, much has been made of “The Great Resignation,” a term adopted in reference to the tens of millions of individuals who quit their jobs during the pandemic. Further study is needed to determine just how many people quit their jobs since the pandemic began, but there’s no denying that attitudes toward work have shifted since early 2020. That shift has made many people more willing to change careers. Women pondering a career move can consider these factors as they vet new opportunities.

Hybrid working A September 2021 Gallup report on workplace trends found that 91 percent of workers in the United

States working at least some remote hours each week are hoping the opportunity to do that persists after the pandemic. Perhaps surprisingly, more than half of the workers surveyed indicated they would ideally like to split their time between working at home and in the office. Women vetting new career opportunities can ask if hybrid working is a possibility. Hybrid working is beneficial for various reasons, not the least of which is affording professionals a chance to get out of the house while still ensuring they can spend more time with family, which is an especially enticing benefit for working parents.

Salary It goes without saying that salary bears significant consideration when vetting a new employment opportunity. In the past, professionals might have jumped at the chance to earn higher salaries, even if it meant leaving their current employer behind. However, many professionals experienced a priority shift during the pandemic, recognizing the value of spending less time working and more time away from the office. Some spent that extra time with family and friends, while others used it to explore new passions. When vetting

a new career opportunity with a higher salary, women can do their best to determine what that higher salary will require. If it will require more time working and less time with family, friends and hobbies, then women must ask themselves if the extra money is worth the decrease in personal time.

Stability Stability is another issue that might not have garnered as much consideration before the pandemic as it figures to in a post-pandemic world. Many professionals lost their jobs, took pay cuts or were furloughed during the pandemic. Such individuals might have worked in industries like travel or events that are vulnerable when shutdowns are issued. Women who have been through the professional wringer during the pandemic should consider the stability of a given employer before accepting a job offer. Some may find the rewards of working in a field they’re passionate about are worth the risk, while others may prefer a line of work that offers more stability and security. The pandemic has changed many aspects of professional life, including how new career opportunities should be vetted.

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Welcome to the family! Family owned and operated since 1967, our workplace is an extension of home. Consider joining the ULF Family today.

We are hiring CDL-A Delivery Drivers, CDL-A OTR Drivers, Driver Helpers and Warehouse Selectors Upper Lakes Foods offers a comprehensive benefit package: Health Insurance | Dental Insurance | 401k/Profit Sharing Short Term and Long Term Disability | Life Insurance | Vacation | Holiday Pay

For More information or to apply, please go to:

upperlakesfoods.com/employment/

All Positions are eligible for a sign-on bonus

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Big Book of Jobs

NOW HIRING MANKATO AND OWATONNA

• No Experience Necessary — We Train! • View Our Openings at federatedinsurance.com

Commercial Insurance Property & Casualty | Life & Disability Income | Workers Compensation | Business Succession and Estate Planning | Bonding Federated Mutual Insurance Company and its subsidiaries** | federatedinsurance.com 22.24J Ed. 3/22 *View A.M. Best Rating Guide information at www.ambest.com. **Not licensed in all states. © 2020 Federated Mutual Insurance Company

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Join Our Team!

Mediacom is looking to fill multiple positions

medical Benefits Broadband Tech

Paid Vacation

Paid training

HR Recruiter

comPany discounts

CSR (Customer Service Rep)

Join the Xtream Team. Apply today at mediacomcable.careers

For questions call Barb in HR 507-461-2004 | bbaedke@mediacomcc.com Mediacom Communications EOE/AA; we consider applications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or vet status.

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Local company utilizes creative strategies to bring on new workers By ANDREW DEZIEL Guest Contributor

he issue of labor shortages have impacted businesses throughout southern Minnesota, but one company in Owatonna is meeting that challenge head on with a variety of innovative efforts and practices designed to keep their production lines moving. An industry leader in the manufacture of glass, Viracon employs approximately 1,000 individuals at its facility in Owatonna. “We are a large manufacturing employer,” said Jim Wendorff, Vice President of Human Resources at Viracon. “We have a large group of people who do a variety of things in our production facility and a lot of material handlers. In glass you have a lot of special handling, which can only be done carefully by people and not automated. “In manufacturing, you typically always have about a 30-35 percent turnover rate and we have certainly experienced that…so we are constantly trying to hire.” In addition to the usual turnover rates associated with manufacturing, the recent COVID pandemic created new labor force issues along with the area’s demographic challenges. “COVID certainly has impacted us a little bit,” Wendorff said. “We have worked through it and we

are very proud of what we have done during COVID. We have taken great care in cleaning, social distancing and following CDC guidelines. We were fortunate that we were able to work with our parent company (Apogee) and we were able to coordinate our COVID response very well.” Wendorff added, “COVID did impact us, because we did have some employees who left and didn’t want to continue working. I think some of the benefits out there were so generous, I know some chose not to work, but now we are coming out of that.” Another issue facing area employers is changing demographics and an aging workforce in southern Minnesota. “Another phenomena we really haven’t experienced before is that we are starting to see more people retire,” Wendorff said. “For many years we didn’t have a lot of retirement. We are now seeing the baby boomers getting older and more people reaching retirement age. We knew that was coming and it is certainly here. “Demographically there are just fewer people working, especially here in Minnesota. We are aging and we are in a rural area…and with some of these smaller towns that we have historically pulled people from, there are fewer and fewer people there.” Wendorff’s analysis of the situation was mirrored by Jennifer Copeland, Viracon Director of Human Resources.

“It just seems like a different environment right now with the availability of people. Years ago, we would be able to just post a position and we would have a ton of applicants, especially for professional positions and that is just not happening anymore.” Copeland said. “All companies are struggling with it and we are certainly not unique with this situation.” In order to meet these challenges, Viracon has implemented a variety of strategies to recruit and retain its workforce in Owatonna. Wendorff said that Viracon has provided bonuses to current employees if they refer new hires. “If you refer somebody you are going to get some money and the person you are referring could get some money,” Wendorff said. “In fact, we just had a drawing of all the employees who referred people, we drew two names and they got an extra $5000 each. We try to generate some excitement, so there is little bit of skin in the game for people.” Viracon also partners with Steele Co. Works to help expose area students to employment opportunities. Steele Co. Work is a collaboration between the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Steele County and Work Place Development Inc. “Steele Co. Works is a great partnership in our community,” said Owatonna Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Brad Meier. “The basic gist of it is that CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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Big Book of Jobs

Join our Team! A locally owned business. We pride ourselves on the values of service and reliability. Explore our career opportunities below! Vending Route Driver (Full-time) $1000 Hiring Bonus eligible after successful completion of 6 months! Valid driver’s license, and clean driving record for last 3 years required Starting Annual Salary $54k

Cook Monday - Friday Full time associates receive competitive benefits • Medical • Dental •Vision • Paid Time Off • Paid Holidays • 401(k)

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Let us help you find your new job! Valley Staffing has many great opportunities for full time employment with benefits.

All Shifts Available

$16.00 to $22.25 per hour • Assembly • Packaging • Food Production • Custodial • CNC • Welders • And Many More!

Positions Located in: Faribault, Northfield, Owatonna and Surrounding area

To apply: https://csvending.com/careers/

Check out our website for many more available positions! valleystaffinginc.com

1919 2nd St. NW, Faribault, MN • 507-334-8414 Equal Opportunity Employer

211 - 1st Avenue NW, Faribault, MN 55021 507-332-9041 faribault@valleystaffinginc.com

NOW HIRING! Current Openings:

• Engineering • Finance • IT • Occupational Health • Sales • Production Trainers • Production Hourly

12 hour production shifts: • work 3 to 4 days a week

www.viracon.com/careers Viracon is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 we are working in the high schools to connect students with job and career opportunities that are in this area.” The initiative is led by coordinator Megan Horton and she works with the area’s five high schools in Owatonna, Medford and Blooming Prairie, and helps connects students who have an interest in manufacturing with area businesses. This includes setting up internships, job shadow opportunities, facility tours and work experience (which is paid through grants from Work Place Development Inc.). Steele Co. Works has already worked with over 100 area businesses. Steele Co. Works caps each school year with a “signing” day for area students and local businesses who will be hiring them for future employment. In addition, Viracon frequents job fairs and outreaches to area colleges for potential employees. Some of those connections include Riverland Community College, Minnesota State University Mankato, the University of Minnesota and Iowa State University. Another way that Viracon uses to meet hiring needs is by connecting with the area’s various immigrant groups. “Viracon has historically been one of the most diverse employers in the southern Minnesota area,” Wendorff said. “We have four different languages spoken in the plant right now (English, Spanish, Somali and Karen) and we have done a variety of outreach things working with the different groups such as going to mosques and churches along with outreach on social media - and that is something that is more and more important to us.” Viracon has translators on staff to help with communication amongst its team and has also allowed for cultural accommodations such as prayer breaks during

the work day. “We’ve always been immigrant friendly, we do acomodate prayer and our Muslim employees do appreciate that. We have a good tradition of that, people are very tolerant and our supervisors are use to the routine and that has helped us,” Wendorff said. One more way that Viracon builds its labor pool is through the use of previously incarcerated people, which is a trend that is gaining momentum around the country. “A lot of companies are realizing that previously incarcerated people are a source of talent,” Wendorff said. “Many employees for years shied away from that, but Viracon never did. We have always been open to hiring previously incarcerated people and more people around the country are seeing that as a source for talent now.” Pay rates are another factor that companies such as Viracon monitor closely in order to remain relevant in the marketplace. “We do watch the pay very closely and try to stay competitive with the type of work we are doing,” Wendorff said. “Our benefits have always been good and every spring we do a pay increase. We are now starting to figure that out and what we need to do to stay competitive, attract and retain people.” Along with the need to fill production positions, Viracon is starting to see a need to fill more professional level positions at its location in Owatonna. Again, retirements and reorganization has played a role in creating this need. To help meet some of those unique needs, Viracon hosted a hiring event in March. “We went for a number of years not really having to hire a lot of professional staff (engineers, supervisors, sales people, etc.). We’ve had good stability but again we’ve had some retirements and reorganization, so

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 now we are looking to fill about a half dozen key positions. We are going to have an outreach for professional staff and invite people in to come and network with us and learn about what some of the opportunities are here. In the past, we haven’t had the need to do this, but again we are at a different place.” One of the outcomes of the COVID pandemic has been a movement to working from home and that is another possible benefit for potential employees. “We are also learning, like many employers, that we have to be more hybrid,” Wendorff said. “We will have more people working from home or there will be a mix where you can work from home or come in a few days a week.” Copeland added, “It really opened our eyes that is is possible to do some of this outside of these walls.” The ability to have flexibility in working locations thanks to technology advances has allowed companies like Viracon to widen its geographical range for potential job candidates. “We know because of that hybrid model, it can increase our scope geographically of what we are looking at for employees. We still like people to be relatively close by but I think we might have some more success drawing people from the southern Twin Cities metro, Mankato, Rochester, Austin and Albert Lea if those hybrid jobs are an option.” The ability to work from home or have these types of hybrid positions is a relatively new and exciting concept. “None of this would have been possible without the technology…the world would have been different without it,” Wendorff said. “Thanks to the technology, we didn’t really miss a beat in terms of being able to service our customers during COVID. Even if you CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

Machinist Apprenticeship Program

Company Paid Training Program through NIMS Learn while you Earn! For more information, please contact Human Resources: 507-833-6509 or visit Cinch at 299 Johnson Ave SW Suite 100, Waseca MN

Cinch Connectivity Solutions is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation or sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected Veteran status.

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Join our Team and we will grow TogeTher!

Hiring an Experienced Plumber Apprentice or Journeyman

K & G is a high precision machine shop performing work for a variety of industries for over 84 years.

Well established plumbing and heating company looking for experienced Plumber Apprentice or Journeyman.We do everything from service work,new construction,remodeling, and small commercial work. We cover a large area from Northfield to the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.

• • • • • •

Shipping & Receiving Clerk 5-Axis CNC Mill-Turn Machinist CNC Horizontal Mill Machinist 5 Axis Vertical Mill Machinist Sr. Machine Maintenance Technician Flexible Shift Schedules with Full benefits

Must be honest, dependable, organized, and have good customer relation skills. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record. We offer paid vacations, paid holidays, paid birthday/day off, health insurance, and retirement plans. No nights or weekends. Typical work hours Monday thru Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm. Resume Required. Email resume and phone contact information.

To Apply, Please send email to info@paulsplumbingheating.com Go to our website at: https://kgmfg.com/employment/ to see the many job opportunities.

K & g manufacTuring 226 Park Ave Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: 507-334-5501

Or visit our web page at paulsplumbingheating.com/

12980 Dennison Boulevard S, Dennison, MN 55018 • 877-414-1915

Join our Team here at European Roasterie! We are a small, family orientated company with a fun work environment! No Experience necessary Full-time and Part-time available Hiring now for: Machine Operators (1st & 2nd shift) Ground Shipping & Material Handler Order Fulfillment Line Worker/General Labor Coffee Roaster

Benefits & Perks: Flexible Scheduling Competitive wages Free Coffee weekly Great Benefits Package with 401k matching

HOW TO APPLY! Our Website: https://euroroast.com/employment-application/

OR Contact Becky @ 507-357-3001 Email: becky@euroroast.com European Roasterie | 250 West Bradshaw Street | Le Center, MN 56057

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e w ork spa

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 couldn’t visit them or make sales calls, you were still able to get a lot of things done. It is quite amazing and that would not have happened 20 years ago. “I am a southern Minnesota person and I hope because of the technology some of these smaller communities will get revitalized. You have a great quality of life here and one of the things I hope we see happen is that you get somebody who is working in a place like Chicago, Minneapolis or Los Angeles, and they grew up in this area, have a couple of kids now and they say ‘You know what, life was pretty darn good in Owatonna. I can come back here and have a professional position with a great company.’ That would be a great outcome if we could get a few of those types of people.” Meier said a focus on improving the quality of life in Owatonna and its amenities is something the Chamber of Commerce strives to do in order to entice people to consider the area for employment. “A long term goal is to be a more attractive community in order to attract talent, and that means things like building a new high school, revitalizing downtown with a lot of new projects happening there…including a new hotel, street scape and restaurant,” Meier said. “Not only having the jobs here, but also making it a more attractive community to live in, is obviously part of the strategic advantage we are trying to gain. Despite the challenges, Viracon sees strength in

its location along I-35 in Owatonna and considers the region’s workforce a major asset. “Our founder Jim Martineau came here 50 years ago and he started this company with 30 people,” Wendforff said. “He chose Owatonna because it was a good strategic location but the work force has been second to none. We compete with glass manufacturers all over the world and we know that we have one of the best

work forces. “The loyalty, the work ethic and educational level is second to none. Pound for pound, we have one of the best work forces in the industry and that has made a huge difference for us.” - Andrew Deziel is a freelance writer. Reach the editor at editor@ apgsomn.com.

already at an earnings deficit, such negotiations can be even more difficult. Here are some tips to make salary negotiations go more smoothly.

Speak up It would seem that any promotion would automatically come with a pay raise, but this is not always the case. When the time comes to consider taking a promotion, it is important to have a salary number in mind. Saying nothing may not earn you a raise, or your boss may not give you what you believe you deserve.

Do your research

How to navigate a salary negotiation

omen are vital components of the global workforce. Despite the contributions of women, Pew Research Center’s analysis of median hourly wages of both full- and part-time workers indicates that women earn less than their male counterparts - even when they’re doing the same work and have the same edu-

cational backgrounds. The gender gap has remained relatively stable in the United States over the last 15 years, with women earning 84 percent of what men earned in 2020. Estimates indicate it would take a woman an extra 42 days of work to earn as much as a male colleague. Salary negotiations can be intimidating for any employee. But for women

Some jobs come with a standard pay rate across the board. These include government and civil service jobs, union jobs, or hourly positions. However, you can determine if a job is negotiable by researching data on sites such as Payscale and Glassdoor to figure out what positions are worth. Arming yourself with information makes you ready to present data supporting your salary demands.

Don’t be afraid to ask Even if an offer seems acceptable, it is alright to ask for more money, according to The Balance: Careers. A company may actually increase the base pay or

offer other perks such as larger bonuses, stock options or full 401(k) matching.

Avoid “Imposter syndrome” Thoughts, beliefs and feelings can hold you back, especially when it comes to salary negotiations. Most professionals at some point in time experience what’s often referred to as “Imposter syndrome.” This is a name given by a team of psychologists in 1978 that referred to people who had difficulty acknowledging their achievements, although their peers respected them. Doubting capabilities, worrying about someone calling your skills “fake” or discounting your achievements are symptoms of imposter syndrome. Comparing yourself to others - especially those who are more advanced - may lead to uneasiness as well. Focus more positively on what you do at work and be proud of what you have achieved. This will help you sit more confidently in front of employers negotiating for your benefit. Workers need to advocate for themselves and ask for salaries they believe are commensurate with their skill levels and positions. It can be daunting to negotiate for a better salary, but there are many ways to simplify such negotiations.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

WE’RE HIRING!

Big Book of Jobs

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Are you looking for a new, exciting & rewarding career?

We have Immediate Openings for Various Levels of

Diesel Technicians

Instructional & Non-Instructional Part-time & Full-time

LEARN MORE:

www.s-sm.org/employment

Competitive Pay • Performance Based Incentive Tool/Boot Allowance • Excellent Benefits Package

join our Team ToDay! Call 507-431-6401, Email nikki@curtstruck.com or Apply Online at www.curtstruck.com 370 24th Ave. NW Owatonna, MN Full-Service Truck Dealership Since 1981

Dynamic Glass. Dynamic People. Dynamic Careers!

Full-Time positions available on all shifts Starting at $18 - 23 an hour $1,000 HIRING BONUS

Join Our Team! sageglass.com/hireme

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Big Book of Jobs

Seneca Foods Corporation, a local food packaging and distribution facility located approximately 35 miles southwest of the Twin Cities metro, currently has various full-time and seasonal employment opportunities!

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

JOI N OUR CANDYTEAM ATJOBS@MAUDBORUP.COM 8666786283, ext724 TO APPLY TODAY

Seneca offers a competitive wage, excellent benefit package, on-the-job training, and a flexible work schedule during the off season. If interested, please visit careers.senecafoods.com for more information or to apply online. You can also contact the Human Resources Department:

PAID AFTER 8 WEEKS EMPLOYMENT

600 5th Street SE Montgomery, MN 56069

507-364-8641 Seneca Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, military and/veteran status or any other Federal or State legally protected classes.

Multiple openings in Production, Quality, Warehouse and Sanitation. Apply Today!

www.maudborup.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

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NOW HIRING Counter Sales Representative

Also hiring RNs, LPNs, CNAs, TMAs, and Culinary Aides

Available Immediately at our Waseca, MN Location In this role you will work with customer to fulfill their needs, recommend the best parts and equipment available, assist with inventory management, and educate customers on new products and special promotions • • • •

Hog Slat Offers: Apply online, A Stable Work Environment or call for more information: Attractive Hours Lexi Koele Competitive wages 515-332-4014 Comprehensive Benefit Package www.hogslat.com/careers

Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans

One of the largest and most technologically advanced manufacturing plants producing commercial fitness equipment in the WORLD new starting pay for entry level hourly is $18.50/hr To learn more about us and employment opportunities, please visit lifefitness.com/careers

JOin OuR Team anD enJOy: Competitive pay and benefits Generous paid time off Free on-site gym Safe, clean, modern work environment

EEO/AA/Vet Friendly

Apply today at www.benedictineliving.org/st-peter-mn/careers

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Join our Team! Now HiriNg! From flexible working hours & opportunities, to movement and growth. We are committed to making your days easier! Work with us and we’ll make it work for you!

Interested in learning a new trade building custom cabinets, then this could be for you. Southern Minnesota Woodcraft is a well established manufacturer of custom commercial and residential millwork and casework since 1947.

Earn up to a Open pOsitiOns:

$500 Hiring Bonus!

• Assistant Manager • Team Members Flexible Hours, Secure Employer, Career Growth & Development!

To Apply,

www.holidaystationstores.com

click Careers

• • • • • •

Production Engineering Estimating Project Management Delivery/Install Complete Benefits Package to include Competitive Wages, IRA, Vacation & Holiday.

Check out our website at https://smwood.com/ To apply, please email: cklumb@smwood.com

southern Minnesota Woodcraft, inc.

2700 Airport Drive West Faribault, MN 55021

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Come thrive with us. We are hiring. Apply today!

Come thrive with us.

Visit mankatoclinic.com/join-our-team or scan the code.

We are hiring. Apply today! Visit mankatoclinic.com/join-our-team or scan the code.

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NOW HIrINg

√ relIAble

scHedule

√ cOmpetItIve beNefIts & 401k mAtcH

√ AdvANcemeNt

OppOrtuNItIes

full tIme pOsItIONs starting at

24.00

Apply Online: Jobs.postconsumerbrands.com

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022

More Than A Job A Family Chart Industries New Prague, MN is hiring for multiple production positions

Now hiriNg! * Welders * General Laborers * Maintenance Mechanics * Machine Operators * Painters

Apply online at: www.careers.chartindustries.com Or reach out to: np.hr@chartindustries.com with any questions. Hiring for both shifts. Day shift (Mon-Fri 5:45 am - 2:15 pm) Night shift (Mon-Thurs 2:45pm - 12:45am) Night shift is eligible for $2/hr differential