BAKERSFIELD, Cali — Kern County is back on the monitoring list meaning a lot of businesses have had to close again, making it hard for some community members to find work.
“We have had people who have got laid off, and then when things started to open back up again, got people back on board, and then got shut down again, and that’s unfortunate for a lot of our businesses for sure,” Danette Thompson-Scarry, Marketing Director for America's Job Center, said.
As of June, Kern county’s unemployment rate stands at 17.5%, but there is still hope for those still seeking employment.
“We have quite a few employers that are still hiring, we are running ads for, we are promoting their job openings,” Thompson-Scarry said.
Employers are still seeking employees, even though the interview process will be different due to social distancing guidelines.
“You may be asked to do a zoom meeting or interview with an employer, or you might just talk to them over the phone for them to get a better idea of who you are," Thompson-Scarry said.
The center has resources to help people update their resumes. They can also utilize the center's "resource rooms", which give people access to computers and the internet. To use these services, you must make an appointment on their website.
“There are a lot of people who are on unemployment right now that are collecting unemployment benefits that are not necessarily wanting to go back to work right now," Thompson-Scarry said. "And there are people out there that want jobs. So the people that want jobs, should contact us because there are employers that are wanting to hire, they are needing you."
