The knock on service jobs.

• Author: Rundles, Jeff
• Position: Lack of applicants for entry-level service jobs

Just lately I haven't been in the job market really, as I have a good job and I've been busy. There have been - Lord knows - times when I was hoping a job would come knocking on my door, but deep down inside I understood that wasn't going to happen; I've always been told that it was I, rather than opportunity, that would have to do the knocking.

But in September I learned differently. I went out to a local jewelry store to buy my wife a nice ring for our anniversary and, without using names ("a half a mile east of I-25 ..."), I was only a little taken aback by the fact that the sales clerk - in all other ways very knowledgeable - asked me if I was looking for a good job, like right there in the store. I was dressed rather professionally that day - a suit and tie - and I don't believe I looked needy; after all, I was dropping more than a few bucks on a ring. It was just that she seemed more interested in hiring me than making the sale.

As it turns out, it was that jewelry store that was needy, and they are not alone. Just about every company in the Denver area with what you might call an entry-level, unskilled position to fill is begging for help, and there is no relief in sight.

Just the next morning after the jewelry store "interview," my morning newspaper came wrapped in a flier offering me a great way to "pay off bills" by delivering the paper each morning. A few minutes later at the local 7-11, I noticed an abundance of signs concerning the "career opportunities" available on "all shifts." That night at the crowded movie theater, only one of the many concession stands was open because, as the manager told me, he had no one to staff them.

It's everywhere. Every, Internet site has an employment page, and every store, restaurant and clerical shop in town has the "hiring" sign out. In fact, Home Depot and Target stores are so hard up for workers that have placed employment kiosks right in the stores, where shoppers can not only apply for work, but be hired on the spot.

I checked with employment...