VALDOSTA — Although unemployment rates do not look optimistic, there is a reason to believe the job market is not hopeless.

Within a year, the unemployment rate for Valdosta has risen to 7.3 percent, which is over 3 percent more than last year, according to Georgia Department of Labor statistics. This rate is low compared to the national unemployment rate of 8.9 percent — Atlanta at 9.1, and Georgia at 9.3.

“There are jobs out there, regardless of your state’s published statistics, but they are hidden,” according to a column by Marvin Walberg, a job search coach who writes for the Scripps Howard News Service.

Assuming Walberg is right, people should not get discouraged by these numbers as there are several things they can do to get and stay employed.

Networking is a key step.

“We encourage individuals to network in the community as they engage in this effort and in fact provide a workshop on networking as a tool,” said Richard Ramsey, a Valdosta Career Center manager at the Georgia Department of Labor.

In the article “Job Market Today” found on the Web at www.grahamholland.com, 60.7 percent of people find jobs through research and networking, as opposed to 1.7 percent who succeed in the job market search through headhunters, recruiters and employment agencies.

“This is less than ever before due mostly to the Internet,” according to www.grahamholland.com. “Only 3.6 percent find a job from an Internet posting or listing on Web sites, job boards, etc.”

In addition, Walberg says that people need to “start by networking with everyone (they) know and then add new networking contacts daily.”

Another key to success is education and experience, according to www.grahamholland.com.

The recession makes more people invest in their education.

“Generally, when people don’t have jobs, they come back to school,” said Walter Peacock, director of admissions and enrollment management at Valdosta State University.

“Improving one’s credentials through additional coursework or training is also a way to be better equipped for the economic recovery,” Ramsey said.

However, contrary to some expectations, sometimes even the best educated and experienced individuals remain jobless. They lack the ability to promote themselves, and the potential employers are simply not aware of their skills.

“Professionals with the best career growth may not always be the best educated, the most intelligent, or even the most competent,” according to www.grahamholland.com. “They were able to sell and/or promote their value to the company better than others.”