New Meanrds store opens doors for job seekers
QUINCY, ILL. -- Job applicants Beth Clingingsmith and James Gentry were hit hard by the economy. They haven't had jobs for several months. They hope they have what it takes this time.
"It's been very hard finding a job anywhere, and just with the economy going down and rates of stuff going up, especially gas, trying to go anywhere. It's very hard, especially, I have two kids and it's very hard to put food on the table," said job seeker Beth Clingingsmith.
"It's really hard because I'm not used to having to wait in line to fill out an application. I usually just go in and fill out an application and people either want to hire me or don't want to hire me and I'll do almost anything to go to work," said job applicant, James Gentry.
Q:What are you looking for?
"Just a job. I'm good at everything and bad at nothing. I'm really good at customer service. I've been in customer service for many years. I know how to be good to customers," Gentry said.
Menards store manager Jerry Richards said that as of Wednesday morning, more than 500 job applicants had come through the store's doors. He anticipated up to 1,500 applicants by the end of the day. The store has more than 50 positions available, including cashiers, sales department and stockers.
"I've seen quite a few people that have been out of work for a year. They're looking for something, trying to find something that suits them...they want to have a place that's gonna be there for them for a long time," said Jerry Richards, Menards General Manager.
Richards tells KHQA hired workers can expect to start their new jobs at the beginning of March.
The job fair continues throughout the day until 7 p.m. The new Menards store is located just north of Sam's Club.
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