Organizers of the Omaha Works! Job Fair expected as many as 3,000 people to show up Wednesday. Instead, nearly 4,000 job seekers came out to the Holiday Inn Convention Center at 72nd and Grover.

Jim O’Connor, general manager of EmploymentGuide.com, sponsor of the event, said some 75 employers were on-hand with 500-700 jobs to fill. "It's starting to look real good,” he said, adding the unemployment rate seems to be flattening out. “We're starting to see a little resurgence going."

The state of Kansas had reps there looking to recruit for 22,000 positions. The jobs are both in government and the private sector, ranging from hourly positions to upper management. More information can be found by registering as a job seeker at: Kansas Works.

Nebraska’s unemployment rate is higher than last year at this time, but at 4.2 percent, it's still less than half the national average of 8.5 percent. In fact, Nebraska’s the only state showing job growth.

Machinist Leni Zealand made the trip from Kennard, Nebraska to shake a few hands. He said the fair offered some great opportunities to make connections.

"Oh, I think they're countless, just countless,” said Zealand. “I've been all the way through everything and I'm going through again."

Of the wide range of jobs available, it was hourly positions most in demand said O’Connor. "However, financing, Physicians Mutual, the New York Life, Mass Mutual, that's always been steady."

Steady sounded good to job seeker Shelly. She and her husband recently moved back to Omaha from South Dakota for his construction job. Then he got hurt.

They now live in a 36-foot RV, barely getting by on his disability. "We have two kids who are living with his mom, so it's really a hard situation," said Shelly.

Even with an education and background as a dental assistant, her six-week job search has yet to net an offer.

"It's a real big challenge because a lot of things my kids want to do, after-school projects, and they need money and I keep having to tell them no, I don't have the money for this.”

Shelly said her quest for employment is growing more and more frustrating. "I'm finding out that it's actually a computer that is deciding my fate for that job."

“You're not just going to run down to the local employment office and get a job like you used to years ago," said Zealand. "Now, you've got to get out there and find it."

He and Shelly said the face to face interaction provided at events like this was priceless. "I'm very hopeful," said Shelly. "There are a lot of places that are hiring part time, but it's the full time I need." Shelly hopes her first job fair provides that lead.