| Gottschalks to Open Eugene Store - Recruits Through Workforce Network |
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Gottschalks Store Manager Chuck Harvison
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When Business & Employment Specialist Lynne Fuller read that a Gottschalks department store was opening in Eugene, she immediately knew how Eugene's Workforce Network, a WorkSource Oregon partner, could help. That's because she'd helped the regional retailer open a new outlet the previous year when she worked at the Linn Workforce Development Center in Albany.
She knew that Gottschalks would need about 100 employees with skills ranging from management to loss control and that the store would need help screening for qualifications and scheduling the interviews. Moreover, with their store at the Valley River Center being refurbished, Gottschalks needed a facility to conduct interviews, check references and backgrounds, and organize their recruiting effort.
Lynne picked up the phone and was soon offering Gottschalks' Regional Human Resources Manager Linda Stieber the solutions that would make her road to a grand opening much easier.
"For any employer coming into town, especially if you are new to the area, this should be the first stop you should make," said Regional Human Resources Manager Linda Stieber. "You’ll find them very supportive and it should be a relationship that continues while you’re in business in town."
The folks at Eugene's WorkSource Oregon Employment Department worked with Gottschalks to organize the whole recruitment process. Gottschalks advertised their openings and encouraged interested candidates to apply at the Workforce Network. Signs at the new Gottschalks Store also directed to apply there.
Gottschalks listed 12 different job opportunities using the department's award-winning online skills matching tool called iMatchSkills. Staff there organized the applications, screened candidates, and scheduled interviews for Gottschalks right on site.
"I love being here," Linda says. It's like my second home now."
New Eugene Gottschalks Store Manager Chuck Harvison teamed up with Linda for the recruitment and was also impressed with the services.
Chuck says, “I’m amazed at how supportive it’s been. The amount of organization that you guys have had going into organizing all of the interviews, following up with people for us, and getting things set up for us – it couldn’t have been more hospitable or more comfortable. You guys have done a great job."
The new Eugene store manager also likes the quality of the people he's interviewing.
"The majority of the applicants have been terrific. I'm feeling very confident and I couldn't have done it without WorkSource," he says.
The Gottschalks regional department store chain has over 65 stores in California, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, and now four in Oregon. The new Eugene store joins other Oregon stores located in Albany, Grants Pass, and Klamath Falls. The company's vision is to provide customers quality, name brand merchandise, a large selection, competitive process, and above all, the best customer service in the business. The Eugene store is scheduled to open in September with a charitable event benefiting the community.
Click here to find a WorkSource Oregon Center nearest you.
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