With High Unemployment Comes High Hiring Rates
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Even as the national jobless rate jumps to a 26-year high and some local areas are coping with even higher unemployment rates, labor offices are very busy helping applicants get hired. NY1's Employment Reporter Asa Aarons filed the following report.Last month, the nationwide unemployment rate jumped to 9.5 percent - the highest level in 26 years.
Unemployment is close to 11 percent in the Bronx, but Highbridge's State Labor Department office and City Career Center are still buzzing with activity.
"People are also in touch with the fact that with the number of jobs that are being lost each month, there's also a high number of jobs being filled every month," says Arthur Merlino of the State Labor Department. "And this is what they have to focus on."
The multi-store retail center at the Bronx Terminal Market and chain stores like Best Buy are using the state offices to actively recruit workers.
Kizzy Westbrook came to the office for a weekend job to supplement her weekday job until schools starts back up.
"I've been here this week since Monday and I already got two jobs. I started training on one yesterday, so it's good," says Westbrook.
Trainers say in this economy, attitude often determines success.
"I have an eight-year-old daughter I have to provide for and she's home right now waiting to me come back home," says job seeker William Brooks.
While these job seekers do not tell the total employment situation, their positive attitude may become necessary as time goes on. Some economists believe unemployment rates could worsen before they get better.