Job seekers remain upbeat about opportunities

The job fair is a sign of the times. In Raleigh Wednesday, Barry Brewer was among those keeping a positive outlook while waiting in line.

Posted 9:59 p.m. Apr 15, 2009 — Updated 10:16 p.m. Apr 15, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — The job fair is a sign of the times. In Raleigh Wednesday, Barry Brewer was among those keeping a positive outlook while waiting in line.

Brewer participates in a networking class at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church where he advises other job seekers, “You tell every person you know, e-mail every person you know, tell your family members, give them your business card … There's nothing to be ashamed of.”

Brewer, who worked in commercial construction, has been out of work for four and a half months, but he stays upbeat. “Keep going after it, knocking on these doors,” he said. “There’s gonna be a position out there."

Kathleen Snyder is considering a career change. “I was in new home sales and with the market not doing as well, I'm looking at different avenues now,” she said.

Wednesday, Brewer and Snyder were among 200 job seekers, many of them with experience in the housing and construction industries, who were willing to take a chance on the sales jobs offered at the fair.

Vanguard Management Group, Inc., an Atlanta based company, sponsored the event at the Embassy Suites on Creedmoor Road.

“It's definitely overwhelming to not have a position right now,” Snyder said.

“I've been in sales, marketing and business development in commercial construction for 15 plus years,” Brewer said. “I was laid off back in November, so I am looking at other industries.”

“There are good days and bad days,” he said. He remains optimistic that the economy will turn around.

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