Job losses and unemployment rate down in January, but uncertain future for job-seekers remains as
Congress debates job stimulus initiatives.
The U.S. Labor Department announced on Friday that the economy lost only a net of 20,000 jobs in
January -- the smallest decline in more than a year. The manufacturing, healthcare, retail, professional
services, and government sectors all saw increases in hiring, while construction, transportation, hospitality,
and financial services all saw job losses.
More startling was the report that since the recession began, more than 8.4 million jobs have disappeared
due to cuts. Furthermore, economists say that the employers need to create at least 125,000 jobs per month just to
keep up with the nation's expanding job force -- not counting all those who are currently unemployed.
While job-seekers still struggle, forces in Washington, D.C., seem to be moving toward some sort of jobs creation
bill, but partisan politics may doom any real comprehensive bill.
The key hope for job-seekers is using your network of contacts -- and growing those contacts -- to
uncover hidden job leads to pursue.
