Kohl's Job Fair in Merced | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Monday, August 10, 2009

Fresno, CA Sunday was the first day of a five-day job fair. Kohl's is looking for more than a hundred employees, but the projected turnout is ten times that number!

"Scheduled appointments, head to the room"

Eager job seekers waited in line Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Merced. They were there to interview with representatives from Kohl's.The department store is set to open at the end of September inside the old Mervyn's store at the Merced Mall.

"It's kinda like a sigh of relief, like finally, something. We've been waiting for something to come into the Mervyn's."

"This is very important. I mean it's evident everyone in the Merced community needs work and I have three sons and a wife so I definitely need work to support my family."

Jared Stewart was the first applicant to arrive at the job fair.

He was one of several people who showed up without an appointment. But like many, Stewart said he's desperate.

"I've actually been unemployed for a year. I actually used to work at foster farms but it's been rough. I've been putting applications in but no one is hiring."

The new Kohl's branch will hire 120 people. Over the next five days, 1000 people are scheduled to interview. And that doesn't include walk-ins.

"With the economy the way it is, I could really use the job. Single mom who could really use the job and just got done finishing a year of school and not gonna go back for right now cause I need to take care of a child."

With nearly 19,000 people out of work in Merced County, and several empty storefronts, people here hope the new Kohl's store will give the area a much needed boost.

But for some job seekers, that means relying on divine intervention. "Very hopeful. I missed church today so God is in my corner."

The job fair ends on Thursday. All of the available interview times have already been booked. Walk-in candidates are still being accepted, but there is no guarantee you'll be interviewed.

For more information on the job fair, visit our web site at abc30.com.