Economy Adds 163,000 Jobs — Most Since February — Unemployment Rate at 8.3%

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 163,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 8.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment rose in professiona and business services, food services and drinking places, and manufacturing.

Household Survey Data

Both the number of unemployed persons (12.8 million) and the unemployment rate (8.3 percent) were essentially unchanged in July. Both measures have shown little movement thus far in 2012.
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Contrary to Media Reports, May Job Numbers Were Robust

Nonfarm payroll employment changed little in May (+69,000), and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 8.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a few days ago. Employment increased in health care, transportation and warehousing, and wholesale trade but declined in construction. Employment was little changed in most other major industries.

So overall, the growth in jobs was rather anemic as an increase of 69,000 jobs in a month is about half of what the country needs just to keep the same percentage of people employed because the number of people of working age increases by about 130,000 per month. But that’s just the high level view. When you really start looking at the numbers and turning off or out the talking heads on tv, the numbers actually look good (not great). The reason? The monthly increases in the number of people working are being greatly suppressed by layoffs in state and local government. Interesting how those who are advocating so strong for austerity in government are also the first to jump on the jobless numbers as proof that their policies are the way to economic bliss. But I digress. Continue Reading

What to Say and Not Say to Someone Who is Unemployed

Do you know a relative or friend who is currently unemployed?  If so, you might find it a bit difficult to talk with him or her, as the conversation will likely turn to work at some point.  If you need some help in approaching this topic, then you can find some advice here. Continue Reading

Employers to Face Stiff Challenges in Hiring Sales People This Year

Most businesses will face stiff challenges attracting and hiring salespeople in 2012. In the 2012 Sales Hiring Trends Report, employment web site SalesGravy.com makes the case that there is a shortage of available sales talent looming on the horizon despite high overall unemployment numbers. Continue Reading

227,000 Jobs Added in February But Unemployment Rate Sticks at 8.3%.

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 227,000 in February, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment rose in professional and businesses services, health care and social assistance, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and mining.

Household Survey Data

The number of unemployed persons, at 12.8 million, was essentially unchanged in February. The unemployment rate held at 8.3 percent, 0.8 percentage point below the August 2011 rate. Continue Reading

Securing the Right Job or Career Transition in the New Economy – part I

Part I of a 4 part discussion on the job market

Part I – Does the following describe your situation?

Check all that apply:

You are in a recent job transition.
You need to generate job leads before expenses start to mount.
You need to find a way to increase job contacts and generate more interviews.
You are frustrated with the job leads generated from Job Boards, Online Classifieds, and Job Fairs.
You have squeezed all the job leads you can out of your personal network.
You are ready to do whatever it takes to take your job search to the next level. Continue Reading

Economy Added 243,000 Jobs in January — Double Expections

The U.S. economy added 243,000 jobs in January — the fastest growth since April. The unemployment rate, obtained from a different survey, fell by two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.3 percent, the lowest it has been since February 2009. Economists had forecast a gain of 125,000 in payrolls and for the jobless rate to remain at 8.5 percent.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 243,000 in January, and the unemployment rate decreased to 8.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job growth was widespread in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Government employment changed little over the month. Continue Reading

Private Sector Employment Up 325,000 in December – Largest Gain Since May 2011

ADP today reported that employment in the U.S. nonfarm private business sector increased by 325,000 from November to December on a seasonally adjusted basis. The estimated advance in employment from October to November was revised down slightly to 204,000 from the initially reported 206,000.

The increase in December was the largest monthly gain since last December 2010 and nearly twice the average monthly gain since May when employment decelerated sharply. Continue Reading

Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports Employment Up and Unemployment Down

Nonfarm payroll employment continued to trend up in October (+80,000), and the unemployment rate was little changed at 9.0 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in the private sector rose, with modest job growth continuing in professional and businesses services, leisure and hospitality, health care, and mining. Government employment continued to trend down. Continue Reading

Discontent With Economy Spreading to Boardrooms: 108 CEO’s Terminated in September