High Unemployment Numbers Evident at Snellville Career Fair

The career fair at Snellville United Methodist this past Tuesday had 97 percent more jobseekers than last year, from 385 to 682.

Greg Purves, one of the leaders with , which initiated the career fair, does not believe that much has changed since the 2008 recession. 

 is at 9.3 percent. That number does not reflect people who have run out of unemployment benefits and are still unemployed, or those who work part-time.

“Employers right now are holding back,” he said.  “They hesitate because if they need to add another shift, they don’t know what’s going to happen.  We need to get more companies that are wiling to invest in human capital.”

With less than 90 days until the big election, Purves believes that no one is willing to take a gamble just yet. Whoever wins in the November election will change the game one way or another. 

Crossroads Career Network is a nondenominational ministry that links jobseekers with employers. They insist that employers who participate are actively hiring, not just gathering resumes.

“We had several employers who were very impressed with the quality of candidates,” said Purves. “A couple said they made some real good connections.”

Jobseekers from all over the region expressed satisfaction with the selection of employers at the fair, which included branches of the military, Applebees, Goodwill of North Georgia, Wells Fargo and many others.

Purves advises jobseekers to never give up hope. Attend networking events like those sponsored by Crossroads Career Network. Networking is key, according to Purves. 

Georgia unemployment by year:

• July 2012: 9.3%
• July 2011: 10%
• July 2010: 10.10%
• July 2009: 10%
• July 2008: 6.4%
• July 2007: 4.7%

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