Unemployed Face More Competition in Job Hunt

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Unemployment lines are growing. Right now the national unemployment rate is nearing nine percent, which makes for tougher competition in the job market.

Experts say the hunt for summer jobs is one of the toughest since those who just got out of school and those who were laid-off are vying for the same positions.

Roberto Suarez is a father of three, who was recently laid off when his company downsized, and he's on the job hunt.

"This is the first time I collected unemployment. It's hard for me and my family," Suarez said.

Joshua Lockhart, a recent college graduate, is also on the job hunt, but has had no luck yet. Times are tough for both Lockhart and Suarez. Like many, their families are also weathering the bad economy.

"I'm going to start paying my own bills in a month or so. That's what my parents tell me so it's going to be hard," Lockhart said.

Experts say competition like that between Lockhart and Suarez is making the summer job hunt fierce. But that's not a bad thing for employers. Frontier City General Manager Stephen Ball said he's surprised to see the spike for summer work.

"So far this year we've exceeded the total number of applications that we took the entire year last year," Ball said.

It's news that's echoed from the entertainment business to retail and even restaurants around the metro. Braum's is seeing a whole game of people seeking summer work and so is the Lego store, which is just starting to set up shop.

"We've actually seen some people with 15 to 20 years of experience in retail, but most of them are college, high school kids with one or two background jobs. It's been pretty steady there," said John Brady, the Lego central region manager.

The spike in job seekers is a sure sign Suarez isn't alone in this job hunt; he can only hope and pray for a way to support his family.

"Hopefully, with God's help, I can get something here for me and my family to stay in Oklahoma," Suarez said.