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A subtle hint of summer lingered in the air as the sun’s rays intensified on a swarm of career fair applicants that covered a city block in front of Borough Hall last Thursday.

Joyce Dade, while fanning her face with an application, stood at the far end of a line that extended from the hall’s front doors and looped around the side of the massive building.

This career fair was her opportunity to break her job search that has lasted for more than a year.

Her hope faded into concern as she tried to remain positive that someone would hire her – in an industry different from her own, for her computational and organizational skills.

“If I don’t get this, I’ll become a dog walker,” she said jokingly. “Those are jobs too, and they’re well paid.”

Dade, who has sought work since January 2008, learned of the aviation career fair from a flyer and didn’t want to pass on an opportunity for possible employment. She credits her lack of success to the souring economy and outsourcing in her industry as a former radiology transcriptionist.

It was noon and Dade had already waited an hour among hundreds of other applicants at the career fair, sponsored by the Counsel for Airport Opportunity and the office of the Queens Borough President.

Ahead of Dade in line was Anita Richardson, grandmother of Naheem Richardson, 20.

Anita Richardson, who lives in a shelter near the hall, received an informational flyer on the event as well and thought the opportunity would be a break for her grandson.

She clutched his resume and cards in a bag she toted in the line as she explained how Naheem Richardson couldn’t attend because of a mandatory career program he attends.

“It would mean everything for him to succeed,” she said as she sighed heavily and looked at the crowd of applicants. “Looking at this line though, I know he has competition.”

Philippa Karteron, executive director for the CAO, approached Anita Richardson, took her grandson’s material and gave her more information to deliver for him.

It wasn’t the promising job she wished to snag for her grandson, but she knew it would be more appropriate for Naheem Richardson to attend in person.

“It’s so hard for him though,” she said. “So many qualified people and he’s just out of high school.”

While scores of applicants waited outside, Borough Hall echoed with details of job descriptions among other applicants. Signs of networking and interviews gave Karteron the sense of satisfaction she sought in helping residents after organizing the event.

“What we’re doing is our job as we find employment for the residents of Queens and greater New York,” she said. “Workforce drives the economy.”