Poster Boy for Recession Gets Job

Paul Nawrocki literally became a poster child for the recession. After a February 2008 layoff and no significant leads for months, he wore a tote board on the streets of New York City, handing out résumés, hoping for a bite. The theory? Not to look desperate but to attract attention from commuters passing who might be hiring managers and recruiters. To his surprise, more attention came from the media and from other unemployed compatriots. "So many people in New York City are out of work, but they're invisible," says Nawrocki, 60. "They're dressed in suits, looking for work. This huge group of people gave me all this encouragement."