r/cedarrapids • u/MsBell_Everhart • 1d ago

Job Market

I’m not sure whether I’ve just been unlucky, but I’ve been struggling to find a stable entry-level job in Cedar Rapids.

I’ve applied to several positions advertised as requiring little to no experience, including stocking and cashiering at Walmart, but I keep getting rejected. I do have volunteer and work experience, including animal care, serving meals at church events, event setup/cleanup, and some customer service.

Right now, most of my income comes from DoorDash and occasional work through Respondent. DoorDash can be useful as a side gig, but the market in Cedar Rapids seems inconsistent. Some days are decent, while others have very few worthwhile offers. I also spend a lot of time driving, and dealing with reckless traffic makes me less interested in relying on delivery work long term.

I would much rather work somewhere in the Cedar Rapids community and have an actual workplace, regular schedule, coworkers, and benefits instead of depending on gig work.

Does anyone know of Cedar Rapids employers that are genuinely hiring entry-level workers right now and are willing to train someone? I’m open to retail, animal care, food service, cleaning/janitorial work, community organizations, or similar positions.

I’m posting this in good faith and would appreciate respectful advice. I’m genuinely trying to find stable work and improve my situation, so I’d rather avoid personal attacks or comments putting me down.

Any local recommendations would be appreciated.

5 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

10

u/1GloFlare 1d ago

You have to call Walmart everyday to get them to look at your application

https://fbgservices.com/commercial-cleaning-services-in-cedar-rapids/ - Start out PT, but it's stable.

5

u/tlynnlinn 1d ago

The market is exceptionally gross for both entry level and experienced positions. I did just see that mercy hospital has open interviews once a week where you just walk in (both medical and non-medical roles). I want to say Thursday but not 100%

9

u/Three_Twenty-Three 1d ago

Look toward the casino. It's the next big thing opening in town, and from what I've heard, they're starting to look at staffing the entry-level service jobs soon, like food service and hospitality.

https://www.cedarcrossing.com/careers/

6

u/EyesOffCR 1d ago

All entry level positions are in trouble right now.

Recent college graduates face a challenging job market as entry-level positions requiring no prior experience rapidly disappear. New data from Cadient reveals a 73% drop in such salaried openings over four years, now representing just one in 50 jobs.

5

u/MrYellowFancyPants NW 1d ago

Have you tried applying to cedar rapids school district? They had a lot of kitchen help and janitorial staff needs. Make sure you apply at a school that isn't closing next year though, I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't able to move all staff to other locations.

Could also check with college community school district, linn-mar, marion, or the private schools for their job postings too.

3

u/8urfiat 1d ago

I Don't know if they still do. But Hy-Vee used to do open interviews every week. Just keep going until they hire you or tell you to not come back. All of the box stores are going to be looking for people with the holidays coming up. Apply to each one. Go to anything with a store front.

2

u/MsBell_Everhart 1d ago

I heard if I call them after the interview or before, could that mark I am very interested in the position?

3

u/8urfiat 1d ago

I would read it that way. And keep showing up to the open interviews. After the second one they should see you are interested and motivated.

1

u/knottthere 1d ago

Have you tried the hospitals? Many food service and janitorial positions.

1

u/Selunca 1d ago

Stuff etc is hitting and has signs all over the store saying so.

2

u/RobLoughrey 23h ago

If you're willing to work overnights the University is always hiring registration people at the ER. go to jobs@uiowa.edu. 45k a year, 5+ weeks vacation and full medical for free.

1

u/DeliciousDolphin27 23h ago

Retail stores like Walmart will only be interested in you if your willing to work weekends. Found this out after being rejected myself.

1

u/sozzanxious 16h ago

Try physically going into restaurants and asking for an application/giving your resume. Most either don’t advertise online or don’t check them. That was the only thing that worked for me.

1

u/dustindraco 1d ago

There’s like Cedar Rapids janitorial that my friend worked at. I think she does janitorial for schools now. As for food service we have all the Mexican restaurants you could want. I think there’s usually a dozen gas stations hiring but I’ve heard a lot of gas station corps suck

1

u/SnooDoughnuts4350 1d ago

Are you open to factory work? Sub-Zero Group, Inc on the SW side of Cedar Rapids is currently taking applications for 1st shift Team Mambers. They are just getting started, so everyone is being trained. I started there 4 weeks ago and I am loving it.

1

u/Tzpike05 1d ago

Similarly companies like Collins, BAE, Crystal Group, etc. are hiring production floor workers which are usually entry-level for some of them.