Like most of the country, the Southeast US has been hit hard by problems with the economy. At the time of this article, unemployment in the United States is at 8.2%, down from a high of 10% in 2009. Of the three states comprising the Southeast USA topic here at BellaOnline, Alabama is doing the better than the national average with a current unemployment rate of 7.4% while both Georgia and South Carolina are above the median with 8.9% and 9.1% respectively.

While politicians and pundits spend time pointing fingers, it is the citizens of these states as well as the country as a whole who are suffering. Jobs are important to ensure quality of life as well as life itself. Most people would prefer to be able to provide for themselves and their loved ones without the help of the government or charitable groups, even as the resources of these organizations are being stretched to their limits.

For those seeking employment in the Southeast US, here are websites for the three state employment agencies as well as a national job search site and the federal jobs website:

• Alabama JobLink (Search for jobs in Alabama) - https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/
  
• Georgia Jobs Plus (Search for jobs in Georgia) - http://explorer.dol.state.ga.us/jobfeeds/
  
• South Carolina SC Works (Search for jobs in South Carolina) - https://jobs.scworks.org/
  
• US Jobs (Search for jobs across the US) - http://us.jobs/
  
• USA Jobs (Search for jobs with the US Government) - http://www.usajobs.gov/
  

We have some very smart people here at BellaOnline. Here are some tips to help you deal with unemployment and to search for that next great job:

• What Job Seekers with Disabilities Need to Know - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art63542.asp
  By Guest Author - Monica J. Foster from the BellaOnline Disabilities Site
  
• Career Coaching & Disability - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art66879.asp
  By Guest Author - Monica J. Foster from the BellaOnline Disabilities Site
  
• Disability employment services - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174456.asp
  By Felicity Bleckly, BellaOnline's Deafness Editor
  
• 30 Highest Paying Jobs for Women - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art19692.asp
  By Sharon Michaels, BellaOnline's Business Coach Editor
  
• Majors List - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art23101.asp
  By Susan D. Bates, BellaOnline's Colleges Editor
  
• Top 100 Careers W/O a 4-Year Degree -- Review - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art22915.asp
  By Gail Armanini, BellaOnline's Abundance / Wealth Editor
  
• Careers Without a College Degree - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45255.asp
  By Dianne Walker, BellaOnline's Career Training Editor
  
• Dressing for Success - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32974.asp
  By Guest Author - Kristie Kennedy from the BellaOnline Unemployment site
  
• Resumes for Dummies Book Review - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6983.asp
  By Susan D. Bates, BellaOnline's Colleges Editor
  
• Modern Day Resume - One Page or Two - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46884.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• An Impressive Resume With Little Or No Experience - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45915.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the BellaOnline Job Search site
  
• A Resume For Career Accomplishments - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39490.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the BellaOnline Job Search site
  
• A Resume For The Older Job Seeker - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36874.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the BellaOnline Job Search site
  
• Cover Letter Components - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art1806.asp
  By Susan D. Bates, BellaOnline's Colleges Editor
  
• Top Five Cover Letter Tips - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art18860.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Prepare For The Job Interview - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45290.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Jewelry and the Job Interview - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art170801.asp
  By Guest Author - Faith Ford from the Bellaonline Fashion Jewelry site
  
• Interview Body Language - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art22551.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Job Interview During a Meal - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art62370.asp
  By Lisa Plancich, BellaOnline's Etiquette Editor
  
• Things Not To Say At A Job Interview - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36690.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Job Interview And Salary Negotiation - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39491.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Interview Question And Answer Guide - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art46602.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Bad Job Interview Recovery - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43584.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Generate A Job Offer With An Interview Follow Up - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20016.asp
  By Guest Author - Gwendolyn Thompson from the Bellaonline Job Search site
  
• Thank You Note for a Job Interview - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art61698.asp
  By Lisa Plancich, BellaOnline's Etiquette Editor
  
• Legitimate Work At Home Employment - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39356.asp
  By Guest Author - Katie Byrd from the Abundance / Wealth Site
  

Good luck to you all. Be sure to post in our forum about your job search and share your tips for what has and hasn't worked for you.