SYRACUSE -- Job seekers lined up Monday morning in East Syracuse for a job fair. Aldi's is looking to hire 15 to 20 new employees at its Syracuse area stores.
The company's District Manager Derek Russo says job applicants have different backgrounds.
"There are some people who have been out of work for a long time. Certainly there [are] a lot of applicants who, for whatever reason, have found themselves laid off or discharged from work. There [are] certainly some good quality applicants in the bunch," says Russo.
Tina Issabella is one of those unemployed Central New Yorkers hoping to land a job with Aldi.
Isabella is a former customer service representative for Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and she has been out of work for more than two years.
"There are so many applicants out there that when you apply, they automatically e-mail you denying you without the job interview," says Issabella.
According to the New York State Department of Labor, the state's labor force increased by 28,200 last month. That's the largest jump in monthly labor force levels since late 2001.
The state's unemployment rate rose last month from 8.5% in April to 8.6% in May. In Central New York, more than 4,000 jobs were added in May.
This is the second job fair Aldi’s has held in the Syracuse area this month, and the company says there has been no shortage of qualified candidates.
Issabella says she is hoping to find a job before here unemployment benefits run out.
"It gets worrisome" Issabella says, "because, where is the money going to come from once it stops?"
The Aldi's job fair runs again Monday afternoon from 4pm-7pm at the Holiday Inn on Widewaters Parkway. For more information visit www.aldis.com.
