Jobless Rate Soars to 8.1 Percent, Highest Since 1983
The Labor Department's report shows America's workers being clobbered by a relentless wave of layoffs.
AP
Friday, March 06, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The government says the nation's unemployment rate bolted to 8.1 percent in February, the highest since late 1983, as cost-cutting employers slashed 651,000 jobs.
The Labor Department's report shows America's workers being clobbered by a relentless wave of layoffs.
The net loss of 651,000 jobs in February came after even deeper payroll reductions in the prior two months, according to revised figures. The economy lost 681,000 jobs in December and another 655,000 in January. -- For more information, CLICK HERE
GOP Forces Senate to Delay Vote on $410B Spending Bill
Senate Democratic leaders are working furiously behind the scenes to gather up 60 votes to pass a $410 billion spending bill that funds the government through September.
By Trish Turner
Friday, March 06, 2009
Senate Democratic leaders are still coming up short as they work furiously behind the scenes to gather up 60 votes to pass a $410 billion spending bill that funds the government through September.
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Thursday night that he was one vote short of the votes needed despite calling Senate Appropriations Committee Republicans to try to secure support from about six of them. A vote had been scheduled for Thursday evening, but now the bill is on hold at least until Monday, meaning that for now most government departments will have to continue operating at 2008 spending levels. -- For more information CLICK HERE
To find a job, ignore doom-and-gloom news, experts say
By John D. Sutter
(CNN) -- If you're unemployed, you know it's a rough time to be on the job hunt.
There's a huge pool of unemployed workers out there, and the unemployment rate continues to climb.
But if you want work, you need to block out the doom-and-gloom news about the economy, particularly this Friday's federal jobs report, said John A. Challenger, chief executive office of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a prestigious job-placement and consulting organization.
"Don't listen to it," he said. "It's not relevant to any one person's search."
His advice: Go look for a job, any job -- now.
"You have to get a fast start, and you have to stay at it in this kind of market, because there are more people searching for fewer jobs," he said. "So you cannot let up."
But before you drop the laptop to go photocopy résumés, it may help to target your job search to certain industries or locations.
It's generally agreed that there are more jobs available in health care, education, government and agriculture than in other industries. Those jobs are also thought to be more stable than those in failing industries like banking, manufacturing and construction. iReport.com: Tell us how your job hunt is going
Applicants should market their skills to the stable industries, no matter what profession they're coming from, said Jennifer Grasz, a spokeswoman for CareerBuilder.com, the nation's largest job listing Web site.
To get the jobs, applicants should be flexible, Challenger said. -- For more information CLICK HERE
South has jobs available
By Lisa Respers France
(CNN) -- While most parts of the country grapple with massive job loss and a deficit in new jobs, the South is faring a bit better.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in December the South recorded one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 7 percent.
According to Careerbuilder.com, the nation's largest online job site, the South continues to see growth in the oil and gas industries which means more job opportunities in related fields like engineering. For more information CLICK HERE
Sun, sea, casinos and Japan bring jobs to West
By Jessica Ravitz
(CNN) -- With the West posting the highest regional rate of unemployment, at 8 percent, according to the latest government figures, people living there are hurting to find employers willing to take them in.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in January, after crunching December 2008 numbers, a 2.9 percent regional bump in unemployment from the same time in 2007.
California, in the last month of 2008 alone, lost more than 78,000 jobs, outpacing any other state.
But while California, Nevada and Oregon posted jobless figures, respectively, of 9.3, 9.1 and 9.0 percent, other Western states appeared more stable. Wyoming's latest figure of 3.4 percent unemployment was better than any other in the nation, and Utah came in at No. 5, with an enviable rate of 4.3 percent.
Affiliates working with CNN, meantime, are looking out for signs of promise -- giving viewers and readers insights into where some of the jobs are. -- For more information CLICK HERE
Summary: Even if the jobless rate is going up, that is a national average so don't feel like things are desperate. There are jobs available. There are programs available that can help you find a job. Don't give up and listen to those who are cynical about the future. If you want to get a job you will be able to find one.
No comments:
Post a Comment