Hundreds on the hunt for a job

With a broken shoe, Linda, who, like everyone else, would only offer her first name, tried to tape the strap on her sandal before entering the job fair held at East Meadow High School. “I’ve worked in many kitchens,” she said, “and I’m looking for work as a cook.” The Uniondale resident added that the felony on her record has made it “impossible” to find work for the last three years. “And now, this,” she said, bending down to fix her shoe.

Nassau County residents headed to East Meadow in droves to attend a job fair on Aug. 16. With the hopes of ending their unemployment stint, men and women ranging in age from 22 to 62 came with resume in hand and heads held high as they filed into the gym where more than 70 potential jobs awaited them.

“I’m pleased to be able to present an event such as this,” said Sen. Kemp Hannon, who organized the fair.  Adding that many people worked “really hard” to put the event together in less than six months, Hannon said, “We wanted to match people who needed employees with people who wanted jobs.”

While the Homeland Security and military tables garnered the most interest, other companies were looking to staff positions in finance, pharmaceutical sales and real estate. In addition to jobs, students from local colleges and universities were also on hand to disseminate information on higher education.

“It’s a shame that this [job fair] is so necessary,” said Dee, of Bethpage, who was looking for a job in administration, accounting or billing. The woman said she has been unemployed for close to one year after being laid off from a company she worked at for 12 years. She added that face-to-face contact with potential employers was alluring. “Everything is online today and it’s very frustrating,” she said.

Charles, who lost his job in 2008 after more than 20 years as an office manager at a law firm, also came out to the fair in hopes of employment. As an older candidate, he said companies often say he’s overqualified. “It’s pretty bad out there,” he said. Charles said he has a master’s degree and was looking for a full-time job in administration or human relations.

Tom, 22, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in May. The young man dressed in a white button-down shirt and black tie, said he was “periodically” looking for a job in marketing since graduation and saw a couple of applicable positions.

“While I wish the economy was recovering at a faster rate,” said Hannon. “I’m glad I was able to facilitate the interaction between those who are seeking a new career with those who are looking to hire.”

As for Linda, she switched shoes with a friend and was walking into the fair with an optimistic outlook, she said.