John Lundberg, who operates job fairs for the Cincinnati-based organization RecruitMilitary, says veterans are an attractive crowd for potential employers.
JOHN LUNDBERG: "The people that are here see the value that veterans can bring to their organization, so they want to come here to connect with them, to see if they can bring them on board."
Recruitmilitary has been running job fairs for three years. During last spring's event - when the economic meltdown was still relatively recent - hundreds of applicants per hour turned out, with lines snaking out the doors of Browns Stadium. But today (Thursday), the veterans' job fair enticed comparatively few job seekers. Those we spoke to were discouraged by months of rejections and scarce opportunities for jobs with decent pay.
FRANK FERENGIO: "I am a little frustrated. Only one table here is looking for what I'm looking for. Basically, it's like every job fair I've been at."
That's Veteran Frank Ferengio of Cleveland - who's been looking for more than a year. He complains the collection of security, transportation, and insurance companies here are offering largely entry level positions; at barely entry level wages.
FERENGIO: "It doesn't help people. Employers just don't want to pay for the experience. How does that help me? It doesn't."
Veteran Yvette Hooper says she's also disillusioned. She doesn't see her big break turning up here.
YVETTE HOOPER: "I was expecting jobs. (Rick-'instead you're finding???') I'm finding schools, and more things that I have to invest my money into that I don't have money for... I'm looking for a job."
