FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - More than 1,500 picked up applications for 80 new hotel and restaurant jobs in Fort Wayne Tuesday and more people are applying today and tomorrow.
People waited up to three hours for a chance at the 60 full time and 20 part time positions at Fort Wayne's newest hotel and restaurant, Courtyard by Marriott and Champions Sports Restaurant.
"Next month will be the end of my money," Kay Poff said as she waited in line. "And, you know, I have no money coming in or anything so it's bad, it's bad. I'm just thinking what am I going to do after that if I don't get a job."
The hotel and restaurant are looking for every position from bartenders to housekeepers, to front desk staff. Poff will have stiff competition with people like David Hire waiting in line near her.
Hire has more than 15 years of hospitality experience and looking for a full time job.
"I'm still working part time," Hire said. "But I'm looking for full time because of that health insurance, but it's not easy."
Hotel officials say they were overwhelmed with the number of people who showed up. They say they were expecting more than 2,000 people during the three day job fair. They say they had to run out and copy more applications before the end of the night.
The doors were suppose to remain open until 7:00 p.m. but were closed at 4:00 p.m. because of the volume.
Jesse Hall was one of the first few hundred who got an interview.
"I've probably gone out at least five days a week and still have not been able to find anything," Hall said. "I've gotten accounts on jobfinder.com and still nothing. So I would say it's extremely hard right now."
The job fair will continue Wednesday and Thursday at the Grand Wayne Center from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
If you can't make it out in person you can find a link to the online application under "NewsLinks".
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