Job Fair Held At CONSOL Energy Center

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics said Pennsylvania is second in the nation when it came to adding new jobs over the past year.

Employers in Pennsylvania added over 70,000 new jobs between January 2010 and January 2011.

On Tuesday, dozens of employers in the Pittsburgh area were looking to add to their workforce at the 10th Annual Pittsburgh Diversity Employment Job Fair at CONSOL Energy Center.

Their stories are different, but they all have one thing in common.

"I'm looking for a full time job," Gary Morris said.

"I just need a job. Take care of financial problems and my daughter of course," Tamara Hawkins said.

Hawkins, 22, was one of the first in line. She's been looking for work for over a year-and-a-half.

Over 90 vendors sent up booths at the CONSOL Energy Center ranging from entry level to management, from food service to finance.

"Lots of opportunities down here. It's like going in a candy store, trying to pick out what you want to eat," Morris said.

"As everyone knows, the employment market is really bad right now and I figured this is a really diverse background for people. Get myself out there and some resumes in and see what's possible for me," James Austin said.

Some have been unemployed for months. Others were looking for permanent position. For many, looking for work has become a full-time job and the job fair was a room full of possibilities.

"I've been working trying to find what I can find out there. Some jobs...a lot of temp agencies have stuff. But, I need something more stable," James Reese said.

The job fair is open until 3 p.m.

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