Sept. 19, 2022

There are more than 10,000 job openings in the Sioux Falls metro area — and the state is taking a new approach to try to fill some of them.

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation’s Sioux Falls Job Service will host its first Stroll Sioux Falls recruiting and hiring event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 22 at 811 E. 10th St.

The event is designed to offer a nontraditional format that allows job-seekers to visit, apply and possibly receive a confidential interview with one or more businesses in one location.

“More job openings exist than job-seekers,” Deputy Labor Secretary Dawn Dovre said. “Seekers will learn about local employers but also about the services DLR can offer such as resume writing, mock interviews and career exploration.”

According to the department’s Virtual Labor Market data system, there were 10,021 job openings in the Sioux Falls metro area Aug. 31. On the same date in 2021, there were 10,895, and in 2020, there were 7,160.

“Businesses need to employ creative recruitment efforts, and this is one solution,” Dovre said. “They’ll be able to promote their job openings but also share about their work environment, company brand and culture.”

The Stroll Sioux Falls event will be hosted on the third Thursday of every month and is available at no cost to businesses or job-seekers. Individuals should bring a resume and be prepared to interview for open positions in which they may be interested.

Business partners for the month of September include Five Star Call Center, LifeScape, PepsiCo and Smithfield.

“September is already full, and waiting lists exist for October and November,” Dovre said. “However, as this is a new event, DLR is committed to adapting as needed and get creative to expand the capacity.”

Dovre said the occupations in high need include registered nurses, physicians, LPNs, retail salespersons, nursing assistants, truck drivers, customer service representatives and accountants/auditors.

The top five advertised detailed job skills needed for openings in the Sioux Falls area include customer service, problem-solving, attention to detail, flexibility and ability to work independently. The top skill group is customer service related.

“Employers will be able to explore populations they may not have considered before such as people with disabilities, youth, non-English speakers, justice-involved, veterans, older workers or those without a high school equivalency,” she added.

“Based on a survey given to current job-seekers who are working with DLR, we expect the applicant pool to include those interested in office work: customer service reps, receptionists, administrative assistants; manufacturing: assemblers, warehouse workers; food service; truck drivers; delivery drivers; and more.”

Interested individuals needing help with a resume or cover letter before the event can call the Sioux Falls Job Service office at 605-367-5300 to speak with a job adviser. To view open positions before the event, go to southdakotaworks.org.

The next scheduled event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Sioux Falls Job Service office.

Businesses should register in advance by emailing the business name and contact person to [email protected]. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses also are reminded to post open positions at southdakotaworks.org for ongoing exposure.

Stroll Sioux Falls follows a similar event in Yankton, the Tour de Yankton, which was held this spring and featured company tours and led to new hires.

“Sioux Falls learned from Yankton’s success and has given it our own spin,” Dovre said.