More than 2.9 million jobs were created last year, according to the latest figures from the Department of Labor.

It's encouraging news as the U.S. tries to put the Great Recession and sluggish recovery solidly behind it. Many economists expect 2015 to be equally as strong, if not better, for job seekers.
The unemployment rate fell to 5.6% in December, down 5.8% in November. That's also a big drop from the 6.7% rate in December 2013. It's expected to hit 5.2% -- around the normal level -- by the end of the year, according to CNNMoney's survey of economists.

The end of the year was especially strong with 252,000 positions added in December. That was ahead of CNNMoney's economist forecast of 236,000.