Midstate residents working hard to find jobs

Just hours before the Labor Day weekend’s unofficial start, Allan Collins Jr. was in front of a computer, checking leads on full-time jobs.

Collins, 33, is “kind of like a jack of all trades.”

“I have a lot of production warehouse experience and some sales experience,” he said Friday afternoon at the state labor office on Mercer University Drive.

A government report released Friday brought a mixed bag for job hunters such as Collins. At 9.6 percent, the nation’s unemployment rate was up, but just slightly from 9.5 percent. Private employers hired more workers over the past three months — 67,000 — than initially reported, but it wasn’t enough to offset the number of newly unemployed.

Collins recently lost his job at the Kohl’s distribution center, but he might be better counted among the underemployed — those employed part-time for economic reasons. The number of workers who saw their hours cut or were unable to find full-time employment increased by 331,000 to 8.9 million.

Collins is working part time at a KFC restaurant but is optimistic about finding a full-time job soon.

“I know something will come around,” he said.

The office was far from crowded, but Collins was not alone at the state job center Friday. Here’s a sampling from some of the people we found looking for new or better jobs:

From employer to employee

Steve Eubanks, 55, of Macon is self-employed in the electronic security systems business but hopes to find a full-time job in sales in the industry.

“I’ve been operating my own business, and it’s kind of a one-man show, wearing me out and not making any money,” he said.

Eubanks, who was updating his résumé Friday, put a positive spin on the jobless numbers.

“If unemployment is, say, 15 percent, that means 85 percent is still working. ... There are still a lot of people hiring, even in Macon. As a small-business owner, I can see that people are always looking for highly skilled people and always looking for people to promote.”

Eubanks said he sees “maintaining a good attitude” as key for job hunters.

“Don’t get into that negative mindset. Your perspective is very important. You look better. You dress better. ... You might have to put a little shine on your shoes, make sure your hair is trimmed. Look like you’re ready to go to work.”

‘I’d take anything right now’

Tasha Stripling, 18, and her sister, Belinda Stripling, 21, both of Macon, were not being picky as they searched the job listings.

“Anything,” Belinda Stripling said.

“Just need a job,” Tasha Stripling said. “I’d take anything right now. Bills ain’t gonna pay themselves.”

Both have experience working at restaurants. Belinda Stripling also worked with Meals on Wheels and most recently as a paid caregiver to her grandfather.

“I’ve been looking for a job for about a month,” she said.

Tasha Stripling worked with Macon’s Office of Workforce Development in the summer of 2007.

“Then I was working with kids,” she said. “I loved it.”

A long, long way from home

George Johnston, 35, was living in Washington state when a friend told him there might be work in Macon.

“As soon as I got enough money, I hopped on a Greyhound bus. Now I’m over 2,000 miles from home, and I don’t really know anybody here.”

That was January. By mid-February he had managed to find work — a part-time job at a convenience store.

“I was hitting that pavement and filling out applications like you wouldn’t believe. One thing my parents always told me is hard work will pay off.”

Johnston still works at the store but is looking for a better-paying job. He worked in warehouse security both before and after a five-year stint in the Army.

“I’m trying to find me a better, 40-hour job. I don’t have family down here. I’m just trying to survive on my own.”

Back to school

Miriam Bernardez, 35, is among the newest of the newly unemployed. A week ago, she lost her job at Macon Behavioral Institute.

“Surprised the living Jesus out of me,” she said.

Originally from Honduras, Bernardez moved from New York to Milledgeville. Seven years ago, she moved to Macon, where she has a sister, niece and nephew.

“I definitely have to get a job,” she said. “I wasn’t looking forward to this, but, hey, it happens. Hopefully, it won’t be too long.”

Bernardez plans to go back to school. She picked up an application at Central Georgia Technical College on Friday morning before going to the labor office.

“I think I’m going back to nursing,” she said. “I used to be in nursing.”

To contact writer Rodney Manley, call 744-4623.