Find a job with FOX16's Job Alert

Those with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Development say that's the best strategy to find work, be persistent.

"It is going to be a tighter job market," explains Kimberly Friedman with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Development. "In better times maybe there would be more jobs but now, with people cutting back, although we have had some announcements, there's more people out there looking for employment."

She says whether you're a recent graduate or you've been laid off, jobs are there, you just have to look in every possible place. "Get your resumes out there. Keep making phone calls. Keep knocking on doors."

There's no doubt we've had layoffs in Arkansas. Manufacturing plants, retailers, restaurants and other businesses are making deep cuts or shutting their doors. But new companies are also coming here. Caterpillar is coming to North Little Rock, bringing 600 jobs. Hewlett Packard is bringing 1,200 jobs to Conway.

There has also been growth in the medical field with up to 3,800 jobs last month compared to March of last year. In education, as schools and colleges expand, there are 3,800 more jobs compared to the year before.

"We've seen an increase in government over the year as public schools and universities are expanding," said Friedman.

Compared to the employment picture in the rest of the country, Little Rock isn't too shabby. Our unemployment rate is 6.5 percent. Forbes magazine says Little Rock is the 22nd best metro area in the country to get a job. But finding a job can still be a little scary, especially when you consider all the competition out there from folks who have been laid off.

To help you in your job search, FOX16 has created Job Alerts. Each week we will feature jobs opening around Central Arkansas. You can also find valuable information on resumes, interviews and every other aspect of the job search.

There will also be information on job fairs and employers can reach more prospective employees by submitting jobs to us to be included in Job Alert.