AUGUSTA, Ga. - The number of Georgians who are out of work has risen to its highest level in 16 years. The state Labor Department says the unemployment rate climbed to seven percent in October. The department says more than 340,000 Georgians are unemployed and looking for a job.

More than 700 people showed up looking for work at a job fair in Augusta this morning.

The University of Phoenix and Georgia Department of Labor hosted the Job Fair. Despite the tough economy, 45 employers were looking to hire.

People came armed with their resumes and ready to find work. And although the economy is bad the organizers of the job fair say there are jobs right here in Augusta, but it may just take a little longer to find one.

"I'm looking for a job so I can continue my education and make a dream come true,” Marlin Wilkes said.

His dream is to work in real estate.

"I have a passion for housing. I want to be a property owner," Wilkes said.

But Wilkes, a student at Georgia Southern University, had to sit this semester out to make sure his dream can come true.

"You have to have money to make money so I'm trying to make as much as I can," he said.

The job fair at the University of Phoenix gave Wilkes the opportunity to meet people looking to hire in Augusta even as the economy struggles.

"We've talked to a lot of people out there looking for jobs and I think a lot of them are surprised at the different companies hiring," Lynette Dutton with AFLAC said.

“UPS, Home Depot, Lowe's, the Army likes me a lot,” Wilkes said.

The fair is not just for people looking to enter the work force for the first time. It is also for people looking for career advancements or a second job as the economy continues to struggle."

“I'm looking for more gainful employment. More full time and more permanent,” Sandra Alexander said.

She works in sales and earns her paychecks almost completely on commission.

"It's been terrible to say the least," Alexander said.

The job fair’s large turnout worried Alexander.

“It's a little overwhelming just how many people are out there currently looking for work,” Alexander said.

A little discouraged but not deterred, she says she will keep searching for another job.

“There are a lot of people here. Just kind of going in here giving it my best and giving out as many resumes as I can,” Alexander said.

Many of the companies took resumes today and told candidates to apply online. The AFLAC representative I spoke with said they are looking to hire as soon as next month.