FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) \u2014 Ahead of baseball season, the Fresno Grizzlies are stepping up to the plate, not just for fans but for job seekers.<\/p>\n
The team, hosting its annual job fair today at Chukchansi Park, is looking to fill 100 seasonal positions, from security to cooks to production positions.<\/p>\n
Organizers of the event say there is a lot of competition with hundreds of people applying.<\/p>\n
People packed at stands at Chuckchansi Park Saturday morning, not to watch a baseball game, but instead, for its annual job fair in hopes of working for the Fresno Grizzlies.<\/p>\n
Lines \u2013 wrapping around the stadium\u2013 filled with people from all walks of life.<\/p>\n
From people just stepping into the workforce:<\/p>\n
“It’s likely to be my first job,” said Corbon Anderson.<\/p>\n
To people looking to continue.<\/p>\n
“Usually, someone is 60, probably retired. Yeah, but I’m not ready to retire. I have a lot of life, and I’m not ready to retire. I could, but I don’t want to,” said Johnny Maggard.<\/p>\n
18 year old Corbon Anderson says the job search is not what he expected.<\/p>\n
“The job market is very tough right now. I apply to Indeed multiple times a day, and I hear nothing. I go into restaurants, I take my resume, I take applications, and I hear nothing back. It’s a very difficult way of saying the least,” said Anderson.<\/p>\n
63-year-old Johnny Maggard says doors haven’t been opening for him either.<\/p>\n
“It seems like a lot of projects are out here. I’m actually getting ready for my third application right now. I got two in, and I’m going to go for another one,” said Maggard.<\/p>\n
Maggard and Anderson are both hoping to fill one of the 100 positions open.<\/p>\n
But as marketing and community relations coordinator Jack Van Valkenburg says, there are a lot more applications they’re dealing with this year.<\/p>\n
Around 800 to give you an idea.<\/p>\n
“I know the interest, just general interest within the team has been increased, and we’ve seen a lot more people interested in what we’re doing here,” said Van Valkenburg.<\/p>\n
Van Valkenburg went on to say Maggard and Anderson are taking the best first step.<\/p>\n
Events like these give applicants something online applications can’t:<\/p>\n
“You can get face-to-face interaction with hiring managers and, you know, put a face to a name, hand out a physical resume and, you know, really start making those connections,” said Van Valkenburg.<\/p>\n