Three dozen jobs opening up at auto dealer

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- There are continuing indications that our economy is getting better and that the job market is warming up. At the ABC7/Job Journal job fair in San Jose on Tuesday, one auto dealership group is recruiting more than three dozen positions and state employment figures look encouraging.

"The job picture in the San Jose metropolitan area is significantly improving," said Ruth Kavanagh, a labor market consultant.

Kavanagh of the Employment Development Department says San Jose has had the best job growth rate of the 10 largest cities in the state.

"It means employers are feeling comfortable hiring and usually they don't do that unless they feel comfortable that they can improve their situation," said Kavanagh.

The road to economic recovery is apparently running through auto dealerships. More people are interested in buying again and spending money so an increased number of customers means that the auto dealerships have to hire.

"The economy is definitely getting better and we're busier and busier. Our dealer group is selling well over 1,000 cars a month," said Laurie Johnson from the Del Grande Dealer Group.

The Del Grande Dealer Group of Silicon Valley has eight dealerships and is offering 39 job openings at the job fair.

"We need to make sure we have enough sales consultants, service advisors, and support, shuttle drivers, service reps who are going to take care of these wonderful customers," said Johnson.

She was training eight new sales consultants on Monday. Johnson says traditional ways of doing business are gone. The job fair is an opportunity for people who have never thought about getting into the car business.

"We also have some different types of jobs available that the car business didn't used to have," said Dennis Billings from Capitol Volkswagen. "Like graphic design, videographer, which we have on staff here. These are part the Internet has brought into our business."

He says the Internet has become a major source for customers who are looking for vehicles. There are job available at the job fair and that is an encouraging sign.

"In general, the unemployment rates have been going down," said Kavanagh.

Free Job Fair:
HIREvent job fair, co-sponsored by ABC7 and The Job Journal
Tuesday, May 24, 2010, Noon - 4 p.m.
Doubletree Hotel
2050 Gateway Place
San Jose, CA
1-888-THE-JOBS

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san jose, auto industry, jobs, business, don sanchez

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