Whirlpool job-seekers hit career fair

Dana Vogt (right), a former Maytag employee now working at Aegon Inc. in Cedar Rapids, talks with Whirlpool accountants Barb Hopkins (center) and Stefanie Squire. Aegon and many of the companies with representatives at the career fair were taking résumés and had immediate job openings to offer the job-seekers. John Jennings/Daily News

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Whirlpool employees took advantage of a Career Fair at DMACC Wednesday morning, the fourth in a series of career fairs for salaried workers. Kim Miller, Whirlpool’s director of employee relations, said the event was well-received by both employees and area businesses. “After that first career fair, my phone just rang off the wall,” Miller said, with employers expressing interest in participating in future fairs. The first event held last June and one in September included 65 companies meeting potential employees. A third fair was held in February for Newton-based employers. Wednesday’s fair featured 30 businesses and organizations from throughout central Iowa. Another fair for Whirlpool’s plant employees is planned for September. Whirlpool workers looking for a future employer said today’s fair was much appreciated. “This is a great opportunity that Whirlpool and Right Management has provided for us,” said Mike Nelson, an engineer at Whirlpool. “It’s very convenient in that we don’t have to go out of town to make these contacts. This is a win-win for everybody.” Dana Vogt, a former customer service superintendent at Maytag, found herself on the other side of the interview Wednesday, working for Aegon, an annuities products services company based in Cedar Rapids. Vogt said she was very pleased with the turnout at the career fair, and enjoyed meeting acquaintances from her former employer. Miller said that she was pleased not only with the turnout from employees, but with the response from the participating businesses. “In talking with the business representatives, most companies are taking r/sum/s and have immediate openings,” Miller said.