Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

File them under 'frustrated'

Job hunters say lack of responses proves disappointing in quest to find work

Job hunter Laura Huysentruyt pulls out another resume at the job fair conducted Tuesday at Texas Station. Photo by Gary Thompson.

Billye Cook is beginning to wonder what she has to do to find work.

She's been job hunting since she was laid off from a customer service job at a convenience store in August. She's got 20 years of work experience. She's been a teacher, clerical worker, researcher and restaurant worker.

She said she's been sending six to seven résumés a week hunting an office job, even something entry level, anything that pays at least $8 an hour. She took computer training classes to improve her chances.

No one calls back, though.

"I've had no interviews; all I get is rejection letters," said Cook, 50. "I've done just about everything I can do. I send my résumé, and I don't hear from (employers) so I call them. And they say, `We're supposed to be calling you.' "

The thick stream of business-clad, briefcase-toting people filtering into Texas Station's conference center Tuesday for a Review-Journal sponsored job fair, suggested Cook isn't the only out-of-work local resident.

Laura Huysentruyt, like Cook, has been looking since August. She, too, was laid off, losing a customer service job at a Las Vegas transportation company.

Huysentruyt, 53, said she's gone back to all of the companies for which she's done customer service work before, including United Van Lines, North American Van Lines and Piedmont Mayflower.

No luck.

Half the time, she said, companies don't bother to call back.

"The longest I was ever unemployed before was one month." she said. "I'm beginning to wonder what's wrong with me."

The fair seemed rife with people like Huysentruyt and Cook, 40- or 50-somethings with experience-packed histories, supplemental job training, and in some cases, advanced degrees. Jerry Kurr, for example, has three degrees: an associate's degree in accounting and computer science, a bachelor's degree in business administration, and a master's in school business management. He's been a chief financial officer, an associate schools superintendent and a business consultant.

But he left his job network behind in California, having bought a house in Henderson and moved here, where the unemployment rate for both Las Vegas and Nevada were 4.4 percent for December.

He said he didn't expect this much rejection.

"It seems like they want someone who's 20 years old with 20 years of experience," said Kurr, 58. "It's as if they want experienced people, but not the most experienced."

But even young job seekers, like 19-year-old Kimberly Gaines, who has been job hunting for a month, said they're getting nowhere.

"They say `We're taking applications, we'll call you. We're taking applications, we'll call you.' " the North Las Vegan said. "That's all I ever hear."

Still, employers at the fair said growing businesses would mean new jobs, even if quick hires were relatively few. Big "O" Tires Chief Executive Officer Alan Wilson said he wants to hire five to 10 people immediately and 10 to 15 more in the next two to three months.

He said job fair applicants with retail and tire-industry experience had about a 75 percent to 80 percent chance of getting a callback for jobs as sales reps, office workers, future store managers and tire installers.

"Our people take résumés and make notes on what they see," he said. "People who make a good impression with us are people we'll call back."

Desert Honda sales manager Carl Gaglione said his store at 1700 E. Sahara Ave. was looking for 10 people Tuesday to fill jobs in sales, parts and service. But he said the opportunities didn't end with him. Other stores in the Desert Auto group were also looking.

He said every person who filled out an application Tuesday would get a call-back within 48 hours.

"We'll spend a little quality time with them," he said, "and learn a little more about what they can do."

Many job seekers promised to stay positive no matter what, William Pickett, 42, even said job fairs were fun. Pickett, who entered the job market last month after selling a sign business, said every booth was a chance to meet a decision maker, every handshake a chance to network.

"When you walk in with a positive attitude," he said, "you'd be surprised how many stones you can turn."

Even Huysentruyt won't let herself get down.

"When I get a little depressed, I say to myself, `No, I'm not going to let this beat me.' " she said, flashing her best I-can-do-it smile. "I've never been someone who stays home. I need to work. I need to show people I'm worth something."