Meltdown 101: Job Competition, by the Numbers

CNBC ^ | 7/7/2009 | Staff

[Red in Blue PA]

The competition for jobs intensified in May, the government said Tuesday, as employers advertised more positions but the number of people looking for them also increased.

The Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey found there were 2.6 million positions available at the end of May, up from 2.5 million in April.

While that's good news, it's down from 4 million a year earlier.

The JOLTS report demonstrates that even in a recession, jobs do become available and companies hire new workers. It's part of what economists like to call "churn" in the labor market: Millions of people are hired and let go each month, even in a slow economy.

But the Labor Department's monthly employment reports, issued separately, show that companies are still cutting more jobs than they're adding.

Employers eliminated a net total of 322,000 jobs in May, the department said recently. At the same time, about 350,000 people entered the labor force, pushing the number of unemployed people to 14.5 million.

[Red in Blue PA]

Look at all of those green shoots!/sarc

[henkster]

“Applicant must be able to ask if client wishes to Super-Size Combo.”

[anniegetyourgun]

Hopie changie.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I’ve starting having candidates endure physical challenges after the interview. Just to keep things interesting.

“Well, Mr. Stevens, your credentials are in line with what we’re looking for, but in order to go to the next round, I need you to balance on one foot for an hour - over this pit of crocodiles.”