Jobless Triangle residents hopeful as low unemployment leads to 'jobseeker's market'

During the Great Recession, tens of thousands were unemployed in the Triangle and competing for relatively few positions. Now, the tables have turned and employees are competing for the workers.

The N.C. Works Career Center on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh is a place where people can use the computer, look up job postings, get help with their resume and hopefully land a job.

Rita Evans said the center has helped her line up several interviews.

“I just kept coming here, getting help with my resume. I’ve been getting interviews, phone interviews and people wanting me to come in after they hear me speak over the phone,” Evans said.

Evans is looking for work at the right time, with unemployment in Wake County below 4 percent.

“Right now, it’s like a jobseeker’s market. Employers are having a hard time finding people,” said Brenda Wilkerson with the Capital Area Workforce Development Board.

One industry in need of workers in construction.

The Fred Smith Company in Raleigh just finished building Raleigh's Union Station and its website is full of job listings for the many other projects in the company’s portfolio.

President Jule Smith said construction work pays well and the demand is good news for the future.

“I see their wages growing steadily year over year, people getting promoted,” she said.

Back at the Career Center, Evans was getting everything in order for her interviews. She wants to be an administrative assistant and is hopeful about her chances of landing the job.

“I’m just getting these calls and I’m excited about this. I’m ready to get back to work,” she said.