Andreyarta Cole has been job-hunting for 17 long months.

“I’ve been to all of the job fairs that I have either saw on the Department of Labor’s website or any other site,” she said. “I’ve been to all the job fairs.”

On May 28, Cole, 28, was one of 1,034 job seekers who lined up around the DeKalb Technical College Conference Center for a chance to talk to employers at Congressman Hank Johnson’s 2009 Career Expo.

Cole, who relocated to Lithonia in April from Fayetteville, N.C., said the wait was no problem.

“I’m willing to change professions,” she said. “I’m just looking for anything dealing with people.”

More than 35 representatives from federal and local agencies and private industry with about 100 vacancies took resumes and talked to job applicants through the day.

Participants included the De­Kalb Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb and Gwinnett Police, the IRS, the Department of Veterans Benefits Administration, UHS Pruitt Corp., the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools.

Johnson, whose 4th District includes portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties, said in the continuing recession, many people have lost their jobs or know someone who is unemployed.

“While Recovery Act funds flowing into the district will provide some relief, this 2009 Career Expo was critical to helping my constituents find their way back into the workforce,” he said.

In April, DeKalb’s unemployment rate reached 8.9 percent, with 34,012 people without jobs. That was up from 8.8 percent in March. Statewide, the employment rate stayed constant at 9.3 percent with 446,560 people out of work.

During the career fair, job hunters also had the opportunity to attend workshops on resume writing and job searching.

Tristan Spencer, 23, of Lilburn and his younger brother Travis, 17, said they just needed a job.

“I’m looking for anything that I can make money at right now,” said Tristan Spencer, who has been unemployed since March.