Mecklenburg County Unemployment Rises to 5%

"The unemployment rate in Mecklenburg County rose to 5 percent in July from 4.8 percent in June, according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission."

It's a tough market out there, both for job seekers and recruiters. Unemployment is pretty low and companies seem to be turning to older workers to satisfy their empty positions.

"In less than 10 years, the number of jobs that need to be filled will increase by up to 5 million jobs, said Jim Seith, national program director for low-income programs and work in AARP Foundation. Older workers can “add value with the ability to mentor and coach” younger workers, Lawrence said, but so far, he hasn’t seen companies using them in that way."

Those of you out there looking for a job, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming job fair on September 18th at the Sheraton. If you're a recruiter, you'll not want to miss participating in this event. It's going to be very unique in that we're trying to be older worker friendly. We're partnering with the AARP Foundation to further help recruiters fill their positions.

One thing's for sure: no matter who you are, what your age, or what industry you're looking to work in, there will be something for you. Keep checking back for a list of employers who will be participating. In the mean time, just type in a keyword, company title or job title into the Search Jobs there on the top left, and find plenty of great jobs available.

Resources: Charlotte Business Journal and Examiner.com.

- Rosie Reilman