WILKESBORO, NC (WBTV) -
Hundreds of people lined up in Wilkesboro Tuesday to apply for a chance at one of 175 jobs that are opening up in the Lowe's Corporation contact center.
The center, which opened in 2009 with 300 employees, has expanded several times since then and the latest positions would bring the total to more than a thousand.
"We're hiring despite the economy," said company HR Director Michael Hahn.
Lowe's has seen some cutbacks in management staff at stores in the Carolinas and at the corporate offices but the customer service end is growing. Online sales and the need to answer customer questions and complaints have necessitated an increase in the call center jobs.
Yuri Barber drove from Statesville to apply. "It was worth it," he said. Ruth Ann Martinson came as well. "I've been out of work for three years and lost my car and my home."
Applicants had to be interviewed and pass a computer skills test in order to move on in the process. "We've seen a lot of good candidates," said one interviewer.
Lowe's officials say they hope to start filling some positions immediately and complete this phase of hiring by early next year.
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