Local Job Hunt Difficult Despite Improving Numbers

Despite the improving jobless rate in Brookhaven Town, the hunt for employment continues to be challenging for local residents in Patchogue, with some taking jobs for which they are overqualified.

Anthony Hubert, a manager at the coffeehouse in Patchogue, said that looking for new baristas has brought tons of applicants, some of which he feels are too experienced for the part-time position.

“Usually applicants are overqualified, but people are desperate for work,” Hubert said. “We’re looking for someone who has experience in cafes, but need someone younger without a college degree.”

Former retail store managers and even accountants have applied to brew coffee part-time at the store, he said.

The concern with hiring someone who is overqualified is the high likelihood of that person leaving the job upon finding a full-time position elsewhere that offers a higher salary, he said.

However, exceptions are made.

One of the coffee shop’s newest hires is Nicole Westfall. With a degree from St. John’s University, Westfall was hired after being referred by her brother, who was already working at Roast Coffee and Tea.

“You send resumes all over applying for jobs, but every employer wants experience that isn’t there if you haven’t had an opportunity yet,” she said.

Westfall, who is making $9 an hour at the coffeeshop, said that many of her friends are working as a waitress in local restaurants or have taken other part-time jobs with the simple goal of having some income.

While the unemployment rate in Brookhaven has improved— 7.4 percent in March 2011 versus 7.9 percent in March 2010 — the numbers might not show a complete picture of the current job market, one in which some like Westfall are taking part-time jobs because they are unable to find higher-paying full-time employment.