Job fair attracts 7,000 in Cleveland

CLEVELAND -- Christine White has had the same job for the past 21 months since her last job was downsized.

"A job is looking for a job," said the 51-year-old human resources administrative assistant. "Every day, I'm online. I'm constantly going to job fairs making sure that I have my resume and my application out there."

On Thursday, White stood in line with 7,000 people at a job fair at the Convention Center in Cleveland.

In line with White was 48-year-old Norman Floom. He still has a good paying job.

"I'm an employee of the Chrysler Twinsburg stamping plant," said Floom.

An electrician by trade, Floom hasn't looked for a job for almost 15 years. But Floom said that auto workers at the Twinsburg plant are preparing for the plant to close as early as March, 2010 as part of Chrysler's bankruptcy plans.

"I'm putting in a few resumes where I can (at job fairs) and looking at placement firms," said Floom. "Just keeping my options open."

Dozens of employers with nearly 2,000 available jobs, took applications and set up interviews for prospective hires. And some job hunters Thursday received job offers.

"We just kept seeing more and more layoffs announced," said Peter Ross, Vice President of enrollment management at Cuyahoga Community College. "We felt we needed to do something to get people ready and prepared for jobs."

The job fair also offered pointers on rewriting resumes and sharpening interview skills.

"Couple of employers I spoke with actually have (jobs posted) online," said White. "So I'm going to go online and submit my resume."