Many Pleasanton residents are going to be able to work close to home for the first time as new businesses move into the community.

Pleasanton, the City of Planned Progress, is about to reap the benefits of longe-range planning.

Hacienda Business Park and other developments in the North Pleasanton area, are beginning to open up long sought after job opportunities for local Tri-Valley residents who'd like the chance to work closer to home.

AT&T, one of the newest tenants in Hacienda Business Park, expects to fill between 400-500 positions at their Pleasanton offices. Many of these jobs will be in the marketing department.

According to Bill Wruck, personnel director for the AT&T offices here, his company has immediate need for people to fill positions in the residence sales center.

Wruck, who is in charge of personnel for AT&T offices from San Jose to Sacramento says, "The demand for workers in our consumer market area alone will be in excess of 300 people."

Skills required for those seeking employment at AT&T in the resident sales department would include some experience in customer service or collection work.

Another job field that is opening up is in the area of general office or clerical positions. These skills are needed to fill AT&T's requirements, and also hold true for the majority of other companies seeking expanded staff strength.

Linda Sanders, an employment counselor for Career Network, a valley personnel agency, points out that, "Secretarial, general office, and file clerks are, by far, the greatest demand right now. If you possess the skills required, the job possibilities are endless."

Both Wruck of AT&T and Sanders stressed an increasing need for skilled word processors. "A year ago only one out of every 10 jobs required word processing skills. Now it's nine out of 10," stated Sanders. "Stenographic experience is almost out-of-date."

Wruck says there is always a need however for skilled typists who can handle 52 words per minute or more and for data processors, especially those skilled in the use of the WANG equipment. "Data entry skills, too, are greatly needed," says Wruck.

AT&T participated in a Chamber of Commerce sponsored Job Fair on April 2nd at Foothill High, where these and other career opportunities were discussed with over 650 local residents looking to either start a career or to switch jobs.

"With all the opportunities breaking wide open, we're seeing a definite match-up between the existing work force here in the Valley and the current and future needs of the companies locating here."

So according to Sanders, if you know the difference between a "bit" and a "byte", your future is assured.

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: April 2, 1984 Pathways.