The jobless rate across the country is at a five-year high, with the numbers from August just released. Mississippi is no different.

Since April, unemployment numbers in the state have steadily increased.

Dewayne Lindsey is one of 200 workers he says were laid off at the Nissan plant recently. This WIN Job Center is one of the first places he stopped to, hopefully, turn things around.

"I always try to keep ducks lined up, so to speak," Lindsey said. "One falls off, you gotta have another one to back it up."

Lindsey said he knew the layoffs were coming and already has a temporary job, but he's looking for something better.

"I already had something in mind as far as school," said Lindsey. "I wanted to get in under computer engineering; that's another reason why I'm here today."

Since April, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security confirms unemployment has jumped from 5.6 percent to July's 8.5. That's the highest number in July since 1992.

Eleanor Alexander has been out of work since March. She says finding work is difficult.

"Right now, it seems like it is, because it basically, sometimes I think it's who you know, not what you know," Alexander said.

But even with the help here at the WIN Job Center, finding a job can take months. So what do you do in the meantime to make ends meet?

Lindsey and Alexander say you have to keep your head up.

"That's part of the whole reason why I want to go to school," said Lindsey. "I'm getting a career for myself, establishing myself."

"I have some help. I have some help. I have family and they're really supportive," said Alexander. "I've just not had any luck with getting anything."

The Associated Press reports Nissan and its suppliers have cut as many as 400 jobs since March. But no one's exactly sure on the total number of lost jobs.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security denied our request for an interview about unemployment in the state.