EXETER — Michael Pratt has a part-time job and two on-call positions but wants to find full-time work.

So he joined about 600 hundred job-seekers who packed a job fair at Exeter Town Hall on Thursday hoping to land a new job.

Pratt, 20, of Exeter, said he can’t afford to attend college so he’s focusing on work. He’s hoping he might have luck with the new Marshalls store opening in Epping at the end of March.

With 65 positions available at Marshalls, Pratt decided to apply for a job in sales.

“I’m applying to anyone who will accept me,” said Pratt, who hasn’t had a full-time job in two years.

More than 50 employers were on hand for the job fair hosted for the first time by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Exeter Rotary Club, NH Works, and New Hampshire Employment Security.

The employers offered approximately 400 jobs in a wide range of fields, including government contracting, manufacturing, retail, and auto sales. Several staffing agencies were also in attendance with dozens of jobs.

Chamber President Michael Schidlovsky said he insisted that every employer attending the fair have jobs readily available for those seeking work.

“It’s just the challenge of matching the right employee to the right employer,” he said.

New Hampshire Employment Security Commissioner Tara Reardon said many job-seekers were lined up outside waiting for the doors to open at 9:30 a.m. and there was a steady flow throughout the day.

“Our goal really is to serve business by attracting applicants that they need and let the job-seekers come out and do a face-to-face with the businesses. It’s a success if somebody gets a job,” Reardon said.

The fair was spearheaded by state Sen. Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, who met with Gov. John Lynch and others to seek support for the fair.

“There’s a wide range of jobs being offered here, from a librarian to assembly line work to working in health care,” he said.

Express Employment Professionals of Somersworth was among the staffing agencies seeking applicants.

“It’s been super busy here which is great. I’ve collected a stack of resumes,” said Emily Kilduff, the agency’s front office coordinator.

Retired business teacher Janet Bisceglia, 59, of Hampton, attended the fair looking for part-time office work. She was impressed with the employment opportunities and planned to fill out some applications.

“I think it’s really well rounded with the people represented here,” she said.