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Diversity Career Fair Held Alongside NAACP Convention

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of the biggest fundraisers for the NAACP is the Diversity Career Fair held in conjunction with the national convention.

This year's edition, at Philadelphia's Convention Center, featured more than 70 employers, including some that attendees might not have expected.

Hundreds of job-seekers were waiting when the doors opened at noon, some veterans of the process.

"You get to shake the recruiters hand and maybe they could look at your resume," said Arlene, a participant of the career fair, "which you don't always get your resume looked at or you don't always gets to shake people's hands nowadays."

Others were first timers.

"It reminds me a little bit of, like, comic-con for jobs." said John.

Among the employers were several law enforcement agencies, which in other areas of the convention, are under fire for excessive use of force on minorities.

Philadelphia police recruiter, Sergeant Robert Ryan, said that makes a presence at the job fair even more important.

"To actually make sure you have officers that represent the population, so they see someone who represents them."

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