They are the faces of the unemployed — your neighbors, your friends, your relatives — and they came, by the hundreds, to a job fair at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Tuesday.
Most went home empty-handed. The economy, you understand.
Eldon Bourne, 29, Kensington, unemployed since January.
Actually, the job fair, which was organized by a company called “New York New Jersey Employment Guide,” was more for employers than for their would-be wage slaves.
“With so many companies letting go of highly qualified candidates, now is the time to hire that ‘A’ list employee you have been looking for!!” stated the promotional material for the job fair, which drew such companies as T-Mobile, the Center for Allied Health and Nursing, St. Joseph’s College, the Army National Guard, Health Plus and New York Life.
Andra Cojac, 26, Sunset Park, unemployed for two months.
There was even (perhaps this was appropriate) a pawn broker looking to hire new workers.
“We are hiring for all positions,” read Gem Pawn Brokers’ posting on Craigslist before the job fair. The company billed itself, proudly, as “New York’s largest pawn broker.”
Andy Holloway, 35, East New York, unemployed since September.
At least one possible employer said the endless procession of job-seekers was a bit depressing.
“I am seeing a lot of people here that have been looking for jobs for a long time,” said Ed Schwartz, the director of the Manhattan Institute, which set up a table in the BAM Cafe.
Michelle Reid, 23, Queens, unemployed for six months.
Here’s what potential employees had to say:
