Applications Roll in for 12,000 New Jobs in Las Vegas

Artist's rendition of the completed hotel and casino CityCenter, one of the largest complexes in Las Vegas, Nev., is shown.

(Courtesy CityCenter Land, LLC. )

Running Out of Options

"I lost my truck about a week ago," she said. "It got repo-ed. I couldn't keep the notes up so it's getting pretty tight."

Kirby is restless, too. The former six-figure VP says he has plenty of savings but is eager for the chance to prove himself again. To do so, he says, he has lowered his expectations and is looking for work in different parts of the country. During these times, it's especially important, he says, to remain optimistic.

"You have to go in with a smile, you have to be upbeat, you can't let it get you down," he said. "You are defeating yourself if you let it get you down."

By nightfall, new applicants are still headed inside the makeshift job center, hoping that with 12,000 openings, the odds on this jackpot would be pretty good.

But, as anyone in Las Vegas will tell you, there are no sure bets, not on the jobs, or even on the glimmering CityCenter itself. Not until the doors are open, the lights are on and the tourists start coming back.