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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

New Mexicans wait for hours for chance to work at ReelzChannel

By Journal Staff Report

       Tina Carson finished her interview with ReelzChannel television network about 6 p.m. She had just spent 3 1/2 hours in line and finally got 15 minutes to sell herself to company representatives.
    "I'm going to go get a Bloody Mary," Carson said after her interview.
    Carson was one of several thousand people who descended Tuesday on the Embassy Suites Hotel for a ReelzChannel job fair. The company is expecting to hire 100 new employees.
    The national cable and satellite TV network specializes in TV shows about movies. The network, owned by Hubbard Media Group, intends to set up its headquarters in Albuquerque by May 1, Chairman and CEO Stanley E. Hubbard said.
    In spite of the fact that she spent most of her time in line, Carson stayed upbeat.
    "I made a bunch of friends in line," she said. Carson was looking to change careers after a number of years in sales. She was hoping to land a job in human resources or as some type of coordinator.
    The fair started about 10 a.m. and was scheduled to end at 8 p.m.
    Those who arrived after 5 p.m. were told to fill out an application and leave it while those in line were allowed to stay.
    Sue Cook, vice president of human resources for Hubbard Broadcasting, said they cut off the line at 5 p.m. because the line was about three hours long.
    Cook said Reelz representatives were not prepared for the turnout and were expecting hundreds, not thousands, to attend.
    A representative from the state Department of Workforce Solutions who was helping keep the lines flowing estimated that about 2,500 applicants showed up.
    Cook said the large turnout was both a function of the economy and enthusiasm for ReelzChannel.
    "We're seeing some people who have been in broadcasting," she said. "We're also seeing people who are well-qualified in a lot of arenas and are looking for a new opportunity and are happy Reelz is coming to Albuquerque. We're seeing people from a lot of backgrounds."