The unemployment rate in Missoula is at a low 4.1 percent, but it could be much lower if all the available jobs were filled. According to J.R. Strand from the Job Service, the number of jobs on offer right now is higher than he has ever seen.

"The job board is electronic, you can go to our website at employmissoula.com, where you can register to be in the Job Service or you can just look at the jobs by clicking on jobs, but right now, we have 700 jobs on the job board and in the nearly ten years I've been in the job service I have never seen that many jobs on the job board. The last few months have been just amazing."

For comparison, Strand says that four years ago, there were fewer than 100 jobs on the job board. With all of the jobs available, Strand expects to see some competition for new employees at this week’s Career Fair.

"It will be Thursday afternoon, [April 27] at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula," Strand said. "The doors open at 2:30 p.m. for veterans and their families, and at 3:00 for the general public and it goes until 6:00 p.m. So if you need a job, or want to change jobs, or just want to see what's available out there, make it down to the Hilton Garden Inn this Thursday afternoon.

The Job Service is also hosting a special class this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. about how to get the most out of a career fair. The class is free, but attendees have been asked to call 728-7060 to RSVP.

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