Thousands turn out with hopes for jobs

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - What better way for job seekers to kick off the New Year than to hit the ground running?

2,000 western New Yorkers came to UB's JOBSapalooza at the Convention Center and there's optimism in the air here.

Amy Surra of Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY said, "We are looking for project managers, analysts, java developers. We're also looking for nurses to join our health care services department."

With the jobless rate dropping, the employment forecast for this region is beginning to brighten. 71 employers are scanning an experienced group of job seekers as well as recent college graduates.

Geico is hiring 400 people this year. The longest line though was for Yahoo!. The internet giant is hiring 100 people over three years for it's new Lockport facility. Bill Stubler hopes to be one of them.

"I'm fascinated by online companies like Google and Yahoo! and social networking based things," said Stubler.

Greg Sly, Yahoo!'s Senior Director of Operations, said, "So it doesn't mean if you don't have five years in the computer industry we're not oging to talk to you. It's right attitude. You come in, you meet us, look us in the eye, you want the job and we'll talk to you."