Just working hard for a job
MUM-OF-TWO Casey Walters believes it just takes perseverance and a willingness to try anything to get a job.
Despite having both qualities, she is still hunting for part-time work several months after having to leave her former split-shift job for the sake of her children.
She is one Fraser Coast job hunter hoping March's surprisingly positive Queensland unemployment rate is reflected locally when monthly Wide Bay jobless rates are released tomorrow.
"I'm kind of just baffled why I don't have a job," Ms Walters said.
Ms Walters holds a Certificate 3 in Business and has been hunting for administration work since December.
She estimates she has handed out up to 40 resumes but has been beaten for jobs that often have dozens of applicants.
Ms Walters said many of her fellow students in the business course were over-qualified and still unable to find work on the Fraser Coast.
"It's a bit of pressure," she said.
"You just have to stay positive."
Maryborough Chamber of Commerce president Lance Stone said no matter what the statistics showed tomorrow, there was still a lack of employment opportunities across the Fraser Coast.
"There has not been 200-300 jobs created in the last month to indicate a drop in unemployment," he said.
The Queensland unemployment rates released last week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics went against the tide and unexpectedly dropped from 5.7% in February to 5.5% in March.
A month earlier, it had risen from 5.4% to 5.7% as the Wide Bay region rose by a full percent to 8.5%.
Mr Stone said positive things were being done for the region, such as the upcoming Fraser Coast Careers and Jobs expo in June.
