SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- State officials say California's unemployment rate jumped to 8.2 percent in October from 7.7 percent in September.
The jobless rate announced today by the California Employment Development Department was up from 5.7 percent just a year earlier.
The agency said the number of people unemployed in California topped 1.5 million, up by 95,000 over the month, and up by 487,000 compared with October last year.
The U.S. unemployment rate also rose in October _ to 6.5 percent.
Ask any job seeker at the state Employment Development Department at Franklin and Turk Streets and you'll hear how difficult it is to find work, even with an advanced school degree.
"When you're 55 and you're struggling... If I don't make my payments I could lose my house and be out here on the street. I'm one step from that," said one man at the EDD.
The nations unemployment rate in October was 6.5 percent, which is a 14-year high. California's last report in September showed a 7.7 percent jobless rate. Friday’s report isn't expected to be any better.
"What I'd recommend is that if you have a job, hang in there, and keep it for as long as you can," said another man at the EDD.
Construction and finance jobs have taken a beating, but all sectors have been affected.
(MGO)
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