As the economy continues to ramp up, some are starting to interview potential job candidates in person. For one local agency, even that looks different.

In many ways, the old way of doing business just doesn’t work anymore. During the pandemic, business never stopped at Catholic Family Center of Rochester.

“We can’t let the community down,” said Lisa Daly, CFC’s HR director. “This is our job.”

Staffing residential and treatment facilities, and other services Catholic Family Center provides, takes a workforce of 500.

They’re still hiring — albeit in a different kind of way.

A steady line of cars drove through CFC’s parking lot on Troup Street on Wednesday, driven by job applicants hoping to land a position with the organization, which has assisted Rochester’s most vulnerable population since 1917. Potential hires and human resource professionals wore masks during interviews, conducted in a socially distant manner.

“We’re living in different times right now,” said HR recruiter Ashley Evans. “So we had to get innovative and find out a way that we could reach the people of the community that are looking for employment, and this is what we came up with.”

Among the job seekers was John McNamara of Rochester. Out of work since March, he appreciated the in-person opportunity.

“This is the new normal as far as a job search,” said McNamara. “The job became available. I sent one in electronically, but it’s always good to meet someone mano-a-mano, y’know?”

If necessity is the mother of invention, this new way of doing things — just might be a success.

“So far, so good,” said Evans. “And we've had a couple people come through this morning that I’ve already identified, and I think may be good for some opportunities.”

A full list of jobs is available at CFCRochester.org/careers.