KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Real Goods Solar Job Fair

Real Goods Solar Job Fair

By: Rich Rodriguez

A major solar company in California was hiring today in Fresno. The odds weren't in their favor but job seekers came by the hundreds anyway. When the interviews were over, 20 people could say mission accomplished. They were hired.

The crowd of applicants was large enough to fill a big tent.  The job fair was supposed to start at 9am but job seekers got the green light to fill out applications before 8am. Real Goods Solar is hiring because sales are sizzling.  Cheryl Hansen-Abshere is the regional marketing coordinator. "We have sales positions, install positions to install the jobs and also customer service, warehouse and operations jobs," she said.

Some job seekers came in their Sunday best while others were more casual.  Daniel Martinez has been out of work for 18 months.   His experience is in sales. "A lot of people, a lot of hopefuls out here.  And you're hoping you're one of the few that are hired because you know you can do the job," Martinez said.

Real Goods Solar says 500 people sat down at the interview table Friday.  Most of the people that we watched were animated and beaming with confidence. 

Don Rowland used to work in the construction trade.  "I haven't had a job for awhile and I'm serious about having a job.   They had jobs to offer.   I figure I'm a good candidate for them to hire" Rowland said.

Many applicants are very experienced when it comes to job fairs.   They say waiting for a call back is frustrating but the key is staying positive.  Greg Lien hard is also unemployed. "It was a good experience.   I had an opportunity to interact with a few individuals today.   New people, that's what I love to do. Hopefully put smiles on people's faces," he said.

500 people interviewed Friday but only twenty were hired.  Real Goods Solar says there's a chance more applicants could be getting call backs in the days ahead.