As U.S. heads into Labor Day weekend, initial jobless claims in the U.S. fall
for the third straight week.
The Department of Labor reported that initial filings for state jobless benefits
decreased by 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 425,000 in the week ended Aug. 23.
The four-week seasonally adjusted moving average of new jobless claims -- a more
reliable indicator of the job market -- fell 6,000 to 440,250 in the past week.
It was the sixth straight week that the number was above 400,000, a level that
most experts agree indicates weakness in the job market.
Last year at this time, the figure for the four-week average stood at 324,750.
August 21, 2008
Weekly jobless claims in the U.S. fall slightly even as four-week average continues to increase,
reflecting ongoing weakness in the job market.
While the Labor Department reported that applications for unemployment benefits dropped
to 432,000, down by 13,000 from the previous week, the four-week average -- which most experts
agree is a better indicator of the condition of the job market -- climbed to 445,750,
the highest level in almost seven years.
It was the fifth straight week that jobless claims were above the 400,000 mark, and expectations
are the there will be an eighth straght month of job losses when August numbers are released
in two weeks.
August 18, 2008
Workplace issues finally receive some well-deserved coverage in most recent issue of
Business Week.
Topics such as dealing with a toxic boss, finding work-life balance, handling time management,
surviving as a temp, and communicating with different generations all make it to the
August 25th issue with Rainn Wilson from The Office on the cover.
Here's a review of the states with the highest and lowest unemployment rates.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor, here's a quick review of the
unemployment rates for states with the lowest and highest unemployment rates, as of June 2008.
States With the Lowest Unemployment Rates:
South Dakota (2.8 percent)
North Dakota (3.2 percent)
Utah (3.2 percent)
Wyoming (3.2 percent)
Nebraska (3.3 percent)
Hawaii (3.8 percent)
Idaho (3.8 percent)
Louisiana (3.8 percent)
New Mexico (3.9 percent)
Oklahoma (3.9 percent)
States With the Highest Unemployment Rates:
Michigan (8.5 percent)
Rhode Island (7.5 percent)
Mississippi (6.9 percent)
California (6.9 percent)
Illinois (6.8 percent)
Alaska (6.8 percent)
Ohio (6.6 percent)
Tennessee (6.5 percent)
Nevada (6.4 percent)
Kentucky (6.3 percent)
August 1, 2008
Another 51,000 jobs are lost as U.S. employers continue to cut jobs, marking the seventh
straight month of jobs losses as unemployment rate hits 4-year high.
The Labor Department reported today that for the seventh consecutive month, there was a net
job loss -- bringing the total to 463,000 jobs lost since the start of this year.
The small silver lining is that the loss was smaller than what experts had been
predicting; however, that is tempered by the fact that most experts expect the
job losses to continue for several more months.
The unemployment rate jumped to 5.7 percent from 5.5 percent in June -- a
full percentage point higher than a year ago -- and the worst rate since March 2004.
The unemployment rate for teens jumped to 20.3 percent -- the highest since 1992.
The job losses were certainly not a surprise as news of layoffs and closures of
airlines, automakers, publishing companies, banks, retailers, and restaurants and coffee
shops -- and even state and local governments -- have been in the news over the last few weeks.
Specifically, construction saw an additional loss of 22,000 jobs, manufacturing lost 35,000 jobs,
retailers cut 17,000 jobs, and business and professional services trimmed 24,000 jobs.
On the positive side, job gains were seen in government employers and health services.
Meanwhile, Exxon-Mobil announced a record-setting quarter, posting second-quarter earnings of
$11.6 billion on revenue of $138 billion... all while we struggle to pay for the gas to be
able to get to our jobs (if we are lucky enough to have one).
Quintessential Resume & Cover Letter Tips Blog,
a blog from another part of the QuintCareers Network, with new resume and cover letter tips daily. A must-see for any active job-seeker.
The Career Doctor Blog,
a blog from another part of the QuintCareers Network, where each day our own Career Doctor Randall Hansen answers one career, job, college, or workplace question.
Job Stuff, A Blog for Your Career, from Stephen Harris.
Stephen's blog is a great resource for those job-seekers who find yourselves in transition, searching for guidance
and reassurance.
The Occupational Adventure Blog, from
Curt Rosengren, a Passion Catalyst. Curt's blog is great for finding encouraging ideas (and resources) for moving forward with your career... a career
that lights your fire.
Blue Sky Resumes Blog, from career
expert Louise Fletcher, a general career and job-search blog that covers all aspects of the job-hunt.
