By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — An annual private-sector job fair hosted by Pennsyvlania state representative W. Curtis Thomas got underway today at the WH Gray Youth Center, at 12th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

There was a long line of people waiting to speak to résumé experts and prospective employers.

Janiese (no last name given) was in that long line.

“I’m here to pursue a new career using my degree in social work and a concentration in elementary education and psychology,” she said.

She hopes to use that degree to work in child services, helping those who have mental health or substance abuse issues.

Benjamin Johnson (at left below) is looking for a position in the janitorial field.

(Benjamin Johnson attends a job fair in North Philadelphia. Credit: Michelle Durham)

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“I’ve been out of work about 18 months,” Johnson tells KYW Newsradio.  “I’ve been looking for a job all that time. It’s very hard when you get to the interviews and get rejected, to keep going. But you have to keep on pushing on.”

Tanisha Ferris is looking for good candidates to hire at local Ikea stores. She says candidates need to have a good résumé that matches the position you are applying for.

“Applying for several jobs that are completely different might knock you out of the running,” she warns.  “I can see when people apply for five different jobs, I know that you don’t know what you want to do.”