Veteran Brian Krywanio was self employed in the real estate industry and now needs a job.
"We have to take as many steps as possible to seek employment," said Krywanio.
Vietnam veteran Philip Arazny, an accountant, has been unemployed for nine months.
"With my age...I should be open for a complete career change if possible," said Arazny.
The Military/Veteran Career Fair was open to everyone. Over 300 National Career Fairs are scheduled throughout the year. Close to two dozen potential employers participated in Wednesday's event.
Fewer employers are hiring because of the economy.
"I don't work for four months, so I have been searching online and going to different job fairs and signing up with different staffing agencies," said Yesenia Segoviano.
"We found actually quite a few candidates that we've liked. We're looking for people to open up Allstate agencies as well as work for current agency owners," said Tyler Nitz, Allstate.
In these times of doom and gloom many people, some without a job as long as a year, are hopeful. They are willing to make a career change and even relocate.
Dominic Yao has been unemployed for over a year.
"You need to take any opportunity with this market," said Yao.
Many left the fair excited about the opportunities presented to them.
The career fair will return to Chicago next month. The details of when and where have yet to be worked out.
