September Job Report

U.S. payrolls growth slowed last month, yet the unemployment rate dipped slightly from September.

While the decrease in new housing sales is serious, it is not bad enough to overshadow overall expansion of the labor market. Average hourly earnings in September increased four cents per hour, to $16.84, a 4 percent gain over last year.

The U.S. Labor Department said Friday that hiring in goods-producing industries fell by 11,000 last month. Within this group, manufacturing firms cut 19,000 jobs, while construction firms added 8,000 jobs.

Service-sector employment grew by 62,000. Retail payrolls fell by 12,000. Business and professional services companies' payrolls rose by 12,000. Education and health services added 15,000 jobs.

When we post these less-than-spectacular employment statistics, we hope that job seekers will consider that this broad brush stroke may not apply to them. Regardless, the job search is a strategic process, and knowing the major hiring trends will help you make sense of the national job market.

If you have been job hunting and haven't yet had an offer, we urge you to review all the resources at hand. Here on this website is a wealth of information to get you started on rewriting your resume and cover letters so that you can get your foot in the door for an interview. We also have several pages of advice on preparing for interviews so that you can make a memorable impression, and what to do afterward. Yet, if want to take your job search to the next level, with one-on-one consulting from seasoned resume writers and career consultants, please call us. We are here and ready to help you not just get a job, but to move your career up to the level you deserve.

back to October blog