Job fair draws over a thousand

MONTICELLO, Ind. (WLFI) - Job seekers headed to Congressman Steve Buyer's Hoosier Job Fair in Monticello to find work.

There were more than 1,000 people looking for jobs and more than 60 employers.

Many jobseekers, like Leslie Leap, were laid off factory workers, like Leslie Leap, still trying to find work.

"I've been unemployed since February third and I come to every job fair you have looking for a job," said Leap, a Lafayette resident.

Sisters Kimberly Henderson and Candy Conklin said unemployment has been hard. But thanks to the Hoosier Job Fair, they're filling out applications with hope.

"I got the experience in production and factory work. I got 27 years in that and also I'm trying for healthcare or mainly what I can find," Henderson, of Logansport, said after being laid off from Peters Revington in Delphi.

"I'm mainly looking for factory work, but I'll take anything that I can get," said Conklin, who lost her job last month from Jordan Manufacturing Company in Monticello.

CDC Resources Employment Training Specialist Cori Mitchell is not looking for a job for herself, but for a few clients. After speaking with the employers she said there is some relief.

"It's just so reassuring and just so positive and so uplifting to get that positive feedback instead of the negative feedback all the time," said Mitchell.

Many employers are pushing job seekers to their websites for more detailed career information, leaving those who came to this job fair expecting to fill out a job application dissatisfied.

"So, if I have to go on the Internet, why'd I come all the way down here. That cost gas and wear and tear and that's all it does," said Leap.

UPS HR Specialist Tony Cunningham said there are many jobs within his company, but not enough for all of those attending the job fair.  Cunningham said sending job seekers to their website will give more personal time to each candidate, but that have to be patient and have confidence.

"A lot of folks are scared of technology. They're afraid of getting lost in the mix. But what we do is we take the time out to send emails, to make personal contact, to bring them in to the fold," said Cunningham.

For those who were not able to land a 9 to 5 job, a part of full time job in direct sales may work. That's the route taken by stay-at-home-mom Sarah Weathers.

"They can still be at their children's ball games, be at a family picnic, be at another business and still go and work," Weathers said.

A spokeswoman from Congressman Buyer's office said a total of 1300 people attended the job fair.