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Job Fairs

I was notified about a Dice Job Fair, the Tech, Engineering and Security Clearance Career Fair in Atlanta the other day. I thought I might go, as I could really use a job.

When I arrived, the parking lot was full. Not just a little, either, I mean way full. I noticed that there were a lot of people dressed in suits coming from across the street, where there were a handful of lunch places and plenty of parking. So I went over there and parked. As I walked toward the hotel, I noticed a number of people walking out. I asked one of them why he was leaving, and he told me that they were going to tow all of the cars parked across the street, that they should park at a business park next to the hotel. So, I trudged all the way back to my car and moved it. I suppose that beats wondering where they towed it to.

When I got to the hotel, there was a pretty good line, wrapped around the main lobby a couple of times. We moved slowly through the line, until we reached the sign in table. I had pre registered, apparently all you needed to do was leave them a copy of your resume if you hadn't, so no big deal.

They handed me a pamphlet, with a handful of companies listed, and one of them described as being a 'virtual' participant. When the line meandered all the way to the main tent (Yes, it was in a tent!) there were a total of four companies. There were big long lines in front of each, and it looked like the representatives were taking the time to speak with each person. This was a good thing, and better than I had anticipated. But I was concerned with the limited number of companies there. There were at least a thousand people looking for technical work, and only four companies. That must say something about the economy, but I would have thought that there were a lot more opportunities for technical help right now. It's not like the companies have fewer computers, or that they've started programming themselves.

What gives? Anybody else have a similar experience, or a better one?

I guess I'm not the only one, it seems that a number of job fairs here in Atlanta are being catastrophically overwhelmed by the response. I know that we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, so I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise. It does make one feel uncomfortable, and less sanguine about the chances of finding a job anytime soon.