More people in Georgia-Carolina need a job. The unemployment rate for the CSRA rose to 6.2 percent in May. It was a little more than 5.5 percent in April. The unemployment rate went up because of layoffs in manufacturing and other industries.

No doubt many of the people who help make up those latest unemployment numbers were among the hundreds looking for work at a job fair in Augusta on Thursday.

“It's a lot more people here than I expected to be here,” said Brian Simms, job seeker.

Simms says he knew he'd face tough competition to get his next job but he says he didn't expect the hundreds of people who turned out for the Greater Augusta Employer job fair at Augusta State University. Simms, like many, just lost his job.

“There's a lot of opportunities out here. You can come and find a job real quick. There is no other place to be right now but here,” said Simms.

Finding a job for some isn't easy like recent high school graduate Barbara Antoine.

“I just graduated from high school so it's even harder. I'm 18 with no experience so everyone is shutting the door,” she said.

More than 60 local and national employers from technology to the medical field took applications and resumes from prospective employees. CSX Railroad Staffing manager Katie Sanders says by Thursday morning more than 500 people applied for 20 conductor positions with her company.

“A lot people are just eager to find a job quick. A few people have been laid off and just need to get to work,” she said.

As unemployment in Georgia-Carolina continues to rise, ASU junior Meaghan McNett wants to get a jump start on securing a job before she graduates.

“It doesn't sound promising but I hope it's a lot better than what everyone says,” she said.

Some employers say they plan to fill those positions within the next two weeks. The Augusta Career center holds job fairs every third Thursday of the month. The next one is scheduled July 17 at their office on Green Street.