Unemployed Work for Free for a Leg Up

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- More and more people are losing their jobs, and there aren't many new jobs being created.

That has people doing something they may have once thought unthinkable working for free.

A meet and greet for startups like Mizoon and Crank Apps looking for help and job seekers.

It's attracted hundreds of people looking for work.

But this job event has a twist.

Most of these people are willing to work for free just to get a foot in the door.

"Yes. I'll work for free. I have time on my hands," said job seeker Quake Cox.

"I could work for low cost just to cover the fee to get into city and learn new skills they get benefit out of me because I am a hard worker," said job seeker Eileen Smith.

It may sound crazy, but there's a line out the door.

"This seems to be routine. I was at one of these in San Jose, they expected 1,000 and they got like 4,000," said Terence Newman.

Employers say in this job market people are willing to take a chance.

"You get equity in the company and if you're the right person for the job you'll get the job when we get funding," said Kelly Chaplin of Mizoon.

It seems hectic, but startup executives say meeting with hundreds of candidates is more civilized than tackling an inbox jammed with resumes.