New jobless claims rose more than expected last week, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Labor Thursday.

More than 6.1 million people in the U.S. are receiving unemployment ? a record high. Long Island residents out of work say the numbers are not surprising. Those who attended a job fair at the Hempstead Public Library Thursday had high hopes for employment, despite the new statistics.

Margarita Tobar, of Deer Park, lost the banking job she had for 36 years. She says she?s trying to stay positive and is ready to learn a new industry and try new things.

Meanwhile, there are still businesses that are hiring. A TD Bank representative at the job fair says the company is growing and hiring, looking to open up about 52 banks throughout Long Island.