BLS Analysis for June 2017

Bob Marshall’s June 2017 BLS Analysis for Recruiters; 7/7/17

 

June BLS Preface

 

TBMG Coaching Updates and News

 

Bob Marshall – Coaching & Speaking Updates:

 

The June 2017 Recruitment and Search Business Growth Conference

 

This virtual conference was broadcast a couple of weeks ago—from June 19th to June 23rd.  According to my fellow coach and colleague, Terry Edwards (the organizer), I was joined by 20 of the Recruitment and Search Industry’s key influencers, World-Class Speakers and Experts who revealed their secrets on how to generate more leads, make more sales, and scale the Recruitment or Search Business FAST, even if the attendees operate in a super competitive niche.

 

My one-hour presentation was entitled, “Garages are Good! – The 2017 Version”.

 

Terry broadcast all of our presentations to North America, Australia and Europe simultaneously.  Anyone wishing to purchase these recordings can.  Terry has offered all buyers a 30 day, 100% money-back guarantee, if they are not satisfied with the recordings.

 

For more information, just reach out to Terry Edwards in the UK.  He can be reached via email @ terry@drewcoaching.co.uk.

 

National Association of Personnel Consultants (NAPS), 2017 Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado, September 20-22, 2017

 

I have been invited by NAPS to present again, and so I will at the NAPS Annual Conference in Denver Colorado, September 20-22, 2017.

 

My presentation will be on Friday, September 22nd, from 11am to 12:15pm.  The title of my presentation will be: “Make Placements by Overcoming Objections with Contract Staffing.”

 

Training in Indiana, October 2017

 

I will be visiting clients and conducting meeting throughout Indiana in October.  Stay tuned for dates and times.

 

My presentations will be announced at a later date.

 

 

WHY A COACH?

 

“Teachers open the door; but you must enter by yourself”—Chinese Proverb

 

In the opinion of ex-Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry who coached from 1960-1988,

 

“A coach is someone who tells you what you don’t want to hear,

who has you see what you don’t want to see,

so you can be who you have always known you could be.”

 

Is now the time to pick a Coach?

 

I realize that taking that first step to engage a Coach to help you reach a higher level of production is not as easy as it sounds.  After all, your training investment – and your time – are important and deserve every consideration.  I share your feelings.  I believe that how you approach your recruitment career matters…that you should get what you pay for, and then some…that you should enjoy your time with your Coach as you are benefiting from it…and that you should never settle for the ordinary.

 

So for those of you who have been toying with the idea of working with a recruitment coach, now may be the time.  Only you can come to that decision point.

 

When considering ‘individual change management’, consider this theosophical proverb, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!”

 

If you are ready to take the first step, you can read descriptions of my coaching plans, and all of my products, on my website @ www.themarshallplan.org.  Then, call me directly at 770-898-5550 or email me @ bob@themarshallplan.org.

 

“Bob Marshall is a speaker’s speaker and a trainer’s trainer.  He has a gift for taking the cornerstones of the business and compelling people and teams to not only hone their skills but to execute. We’ve had Bob engage our teams a number of times over the last few years and our groups always come away more focused on the core and more energized to perform. Come ready to learn because this man knows the business and will make you better!”

 

—David Alexander, President, Adecco & Soliant, January, 2017

 

 

Preface

 

Many of you continue to correspond with me about these monthly BLS analyses and have asked if it is OK to use them in your presentations.  The answer is, of course, yes!  That is why I spend the time to assemble this information.  I would encourage any of you who have that desire to weave any of the information I have printed below into your presentations.  I write these analyses for the benefit of our recruitment industry in general and for the members of my distribution list in particular.  So use this info as you deem appropriate.

 

I also write these monthly BLS analyses to not only counterbalance the negative/incorrect press reporting of our general economic state but, more than that, to remind all of my recruitment readers that, at the level we work, there is no unemployment and so we must recruit to find the candidates our client companies so desperately need!

 

So, to my recruiter colleagues, get out there and do what your name implies…RECRUIT!  When your client companies have unique and difficult positions to fill, they need you.  When they are being picky, they need you.  When they are longing for more production from fewer employees, they need you.  Go fill those needs.  These should be the halcyon days in the recruitment arena!

 

Finally, always remember that we are not in an HR business, but in a ‘circumventing the time factor in the hiring sequence’ business—and adding value to our client companies.

 

 

8 Personality Traits of Success Hires

Elizabeth Grace Becker, June 21, 2017

 

With many positions receiving hundreds of qualified applicants, narrowing down the pool of applicants can be a challenge.  Although skills are important, making the right match to your company culture is also critical for long-term retention.  Here are 8 personality traits you should look for in interviews to make sure your next hire is the best one.

 

Professionalism

 

Professionalism encompasses more than just how a candidate dresses to an interview, it’s their total persona.  Do they slouch in their chair, answer questions with brief replies or show up too early or too late?  How do they communicate?  Professionalism requires conscious effort every time and candidates that display professionalism at the interview stage are likely to deal professionally with their peers, bosses and even your customers long after they are hired.

 

High-Energy/Enthusiasm

 

It’s important to look for candidates that are not only passionate about the potential role, but are also excited about your company.  Demonstrating enthusiasm by researching your brand and having a strong interest in what you do translates to a good employee.  Lack of enthusiasm at the interview stage will likely make for a hire that lacks a real interest in the business.  This may translate into a flight risk if the only reason they join you is for the pay and benefits.

 

Confidence

 

Hiring a candidate who has confidence in themselves results in hires that make an impact.  Many candidates try to make a good impression by parroting back your own opinions and thoughts, rather than voice their own.  Although these candidates might be good for repetitive or entry-level type roles, having a hire that can think for themselves and can challenge the status quo in a respectful way is the best type of employee.  How can you gauge if a hire has the right type of confidence needed for success?  A good method is to challenge a potential candidate’s answer.  Some candidates may lose confidence and try to change their answer to match what they think you are looking for.  Others might vehemently stand up for their opinion, unwilling to consider another possibility.  Neither would be a successful hire, one lacks confidence and the other is over-confident to the point of not being able to consider another point.  The best candidate will answer something along the lines of “that’s an interesting approach,  I actually go about it this way, but I’m curious to hear why you feel your approach is the best way”?

 

Honesty and Reliability

 

Every employer values employees that are honest and reliable.  A candidate that demonstrates their honesty during an interview might not come across as the strongest skills-wise as they will be upfront on areas where they are weaker in.  However, they are often the best hire as they recognize their weaknesses and will work harder to catch up in those areas if they are weaker.  Be wary of candidates that rate themselves highly across the board, either they are as strong as they claim or they are over-exaggerating some of their skills.  Having follow-up questions is a great way to see how honest a candidate is in their self-assessment.

 

Positivity

 

Candidates that bring positive energy to the interview process go on to become positive employees.  Positivity can be nearly impossible to train – candidates either bring a natural positive outlook to their workplace or they don’t.  Questions about past work experience and environments (i.e. what did you like the least about your last workplace) can be a good way to determine if a candidate will be a source of positivity as a new hire or will drag the team down.

 

Drive

 

If you’re like most managers, the thought of having to micro-manage or constantly direct a new hire sounds exhausting.  After all, the reason for hiring someone for your team is because you may already be overloaded with work as it is.  Hiring someone that is independent and responsible for themselves saves you time and a lot of hassle.  However, finding a candidate wise enough to pick up the slack without having to be directed every time can be difficult.  Past manager references can be a good way to flesh out how self-motivated and driven a candidate is.

 

Emotional Intelligence

 

Emotional intelligence (EQ) encompasses four areas – self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.  Having a high emotional intelligence is a strong indication of being a strong employee.  Although some people naturally have a higher EQ than others, each of these areas can be strengthened with practice.  Many of the common interview questions an attempt to gauge a person’s EQ, such as “what’s your greatest weakness”, or “tell me about a time you resolved a conflict with a colleague.”  Although questions like these may be thought of as cliché, the answers may reveal a candidate with high EQ based on discussion of past work experiences and relationships.  High EQ candidates will report positive interactions with colleagues and managers, even friendships, and will typically be part of resolving inner-office conflict.

 

Sense of Humor

 

Candidates that feel comfortable to share their sense of humor with you are likely to go on to become highly successful hires.  Being comfortable meeting a new person and showing off their unique personality speaks volumes for how they will interact in the workplace, especially if their position involves a lot of interaction with new people.  Candidates that keep their personality under-wraps might end up surprising you, however, the surprise might not be a good one.

 

 

This summer, 25% of Workforce may seek new job, Spherion study finds

Daily News, June 20, 2017

 

US employees are more willing than ever to test their options, to the degree that companies may have to replace 1/4th of their staff by the end of the summer, according to Spherion Staffing’s 2017 Emerging Workforce Study.

 

The survey found 25% of workers plan to look for a new job sometime in the next 3 months and 35% plan to do so sometime in the next year.

 

“In the 20-year history of the Emerging Workforce Study, we’ve never seen employees have this much leverage to improve their situation and fulfill their demands for better salaries and working conditions,” said Spherion Division President Sandy Mazur.  “This year’s study reinforces the need for employers to re-evaluate their retention strategies and take a closer look at the factors — both financial and non-financial — that influence their workers’ professional decisions.  While not all businesses will have the flexibility to raise wages right away, our data indicates that there are a range of alternative measures that may prevent an employee exodus.”

 

20% of the survey participants cited compensation as the primary reason they plan to explore their professional options, more than any other employment factor.  Likewise, 35% of workers believe that although they accepted a lower salary when they started their current role, they should be paid more today.

 

Nearly two-thirds of surveyed companies, 62%, said they recognize a need to pay higher wages to remain competitive, but simply cannot afford to do so at this time.  A significant segment, 74%, also noted that their competitors are raising wages to attract top talent.

 

“Feeling undervalued” topped the list of non-financial reasons workers gave for their interest in exploring alternate job opportunities.  Likewise, 23% of workers feel their employers put in less effort to retain them this year than last.

 

The survey also more than 1/3rd of workers, 38%, worry about falling behind in acquiring new skills needed for the future, while 37% feel they cannot achieve a promotion with their current skills alone.  Additionally, only 18% of workers would give their companies’ training and development programs an “A” grade, while 46% would instead offer a grade of “C” or lower.  In particular, employees are concerned that the training programs their company offers are not relevant to their skill sets, and thus nothing more than a distraction from their job duties.

 

The annual study was conducted online between February and March 2017 by global market research organization Research Now.  It included 733 human resource managers and 2,062 employed US adults.

 

 

US Managers’ Hiring Plans Up Over Year, DHI Survey Says

Daily News, June 8, 2017

 

Hiring intentions in the US are on the rise, according to the semiannual hiring survey from DHI Group Inc., the parent company of job board Dice and other websites.

 

65% of US hiring managers expect to hire more over the next 6 months, according to the survey released today.  That’s up from 62% who said the same thing in the last year’s survey.

 

“The survey last year hit during a tumultuous political season in America and prior to the election of Donald Trump as president.  It would seem that whatever concern was paralyzing employers’ hiring earlier in the year has since abated,” said Michael Durney, President and CEO of DHI Group Inc.  “Now, it’s a hurry-up-and-wait situation; hiring managers are combating lengthy fill times as professionals ponder choosing the ideal employer.  Recruiters are needing to employ creative tactics to attract skilled candidates.”

 

In addition, 46% of hiring managers reported time-to-fill lengthened when compared to last year.  The reason, according to 47%, was inability to find qualified candidates.  And 28% said they have become more discerning while waiting for a perfect match.

 

The survey also found that 35% of US hiring managers reported recruiting budgets will be more robust than last year.  And 55% expect salaries for new hires to trend upward — down from 53% who said the same in last year’s survey.

 

Perks are on the rise as well, the most common of which being relocation benefits, offered by 53%, according to the survey.

 

The survey included 407 hiring professionals with a third working at companies with more than 500 employees.

 

 

U.S. Wage Growth eases in May; Median Base Pay for Recruiters $51,159

Daily News, June 2, 2017

 

US wage growth decelerated slightly in May, according to data from Glassdoor.  However, recruiters, as well as many healthcare and retail jobs, experienced faster-than-average wage growth across the US and in each metro covered by the reports.

 

The annual median base pay in the US grew 2.1% year over year in May to $51,159, down from the 2.4% revised pay growth in April and marking a 4-month downward trend since US pay growth peaked at 3.1% in January.

 

As the US economy hits full employment, recruiters saw the biggest year-over-year pay gains in May at 7.4% growth to a median base pay of $51,216, indicating that companies are relying more on passive candidates to fill jobs, putting recruiters in high demand.

 

“Great recruiters know how to find and entice the right candidates for open positions, it is something of an art,” Andrew Chamberlain, chief economist of Glassdoor, said.  “Having an eye for screening candidates and good judgment about who will or will not work for a position is becoming an increasingly valuable skill in a tight labor market.”

 

In 9 out of the 10 metros tracked by Glassdoor, the pace of pay growth in May slowed compared to April.  Only San Francisco saw the rate of pay growth accelerate, up to 2.3% year-over-year growth in May from 2.2% growth in April.

 

“The US continues to experience a slight softening in wage growth during the first half of the year,” Chamberlain said.  “However, 2.1% is still decent growth and is higher than what we saw in 2015 and 2016.  It remains above the rate of inflation, which indicates that on the whole, workers are getting ahead.  The job market continues to be fast-growing, and we are seeing big wage gains for many jobs, especially in the retail and healthcare industries.”

 

 

The new ADP/Moody’s National Employment Report:  Over 68% of all new job growth in June 2017 came from Small and Medium-size Companies!

July 6, 2017

 

Private sector employment increased by 158,000 jobs from May to June, (a 72,000 job decrease from May’s revised 230,000—down by 23,000 from the originally reported 253,000) according to the June ADP National Employment Report®.

 

This report is produced by ADP® in collaboration with Moody’s Analytics.  The matched sample used to develop the ADP National Employment Report® was derived from ADP actual payroll data, which represents 411,000 U.S. clients employing nearly 24,000,000 workers in the U.S.

 

By Company Size

 

Small businesses:       17,000

1-19 employees                    0

20-49 employees         17,000

 

Medium businesses:  91,000

50-499 employees       91,000

 

Large businesses:      50,000

500-999 employees     28,000

1,000+ employees       22,000

 

By Sector

 

  1. Goods-producing:                                      0

 

  1. Natural resources/mining                       <-4,000>
  2. Construction                                           <-2,000>
  3. Manufacturing                                            6,000

 

  1. Service-providing: 158,000

 

  1. Trade/transportation/utilities 30,000
  2. Information                       0
  3. Financial activities             10,000
  4. Professional/business services             69,000
  5. Professional/technical services                                  22,000
  6. Management of companies/enterprises                       4,000
  7. Administrative/support services                                43,000
  8. Education/health services                            28,000
  9. Health care/social assistance                                     33,000
  10. Education                                                               <-6,000>
  11. Leisure/hospitality                                     11,000
  12. Other services                                             9,000

 

Franchise Employment

 

Franchise Jobs             18,800

 

“Despite a slight moderation in the month of June, the labor market remains strong,”

said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute.  “For the month of June, jobs were primarily created in the service-providing sector.”

 

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, said, “The job market continues to power forward.  Abstracting from the monthly ups and downs, job growth remains a stalwart between 150,000 and 200,000.  At this pace, which is double the rate of labor force growth, the tight labor market will continue getting tighter.”

 

 (The July 2017 ADP National Employment Report will be released at 8:15 a.m. ET on August 2, 2017.)

 

Due to the important contribution that small businesses make to economic growth, employment data that is specific to businesses with 49 or fewer employees is reported each month in the ADP Small Business Report®, a subset of the ADP National Employment Report.

 

June 2017 Small Business Report Highlights

 

Total Small Business Employment:             17,000 (a 66,000 decrease)

 

●By Size  
►1-19 employees 0
►20-49 employees 17,000
●By Sector for 1-49 Employees  
►Goods Producing <-16,000>
►Service Producing 33,000
●By Sector for 1-19 Employees  
►Goods Producing <-13,000>
►Service Producing 14,000
●By Sector for 20-49 Employees  
►Goods Producing <-3,000>
►Service Producing 20,000

 

Bottom-line:  To my audience of recruiters, always remember this:  Our ‘bread and butter’, especially on the contingency side of the house, has historically been, and continues to be, small and medium-sized client companies.  Along with the large companies, these companies need to be in included in your niche!

 

 

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – April 2017

June 6, 2017

 

On June 6th, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of job openings increased to a series high of 6,000,000 on the last business day of April.  Over the month, hires decreased to 5,100,000 and separations edged down to 5,000,000.  Within separations, the quits rate and the layoffs and discharges rate were little changed at 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively.  This release includes estimates of the number and rate of job openings, hires, and separations for the nonfarm sector by industry and by 4 geographic regions.

 

Job Openings

 

On the last business day of April, the job openings level increased to a series high of 6,000,000 (+259,000).  The job openings rate was 4.0%.  The number of job openings edged up for total private (+220,000) and increased for government (+39,000).  Job openings increased in a number of industries with the largest increase occurring in accommodation and food services (+118,000).  Job openings decreased in durable goods manufacturing (-30,000).  The number of job openings increased in the Midwest and Northeast regions.

 

Hires

 

The number of hires fell to 5,100,000 (-253,000) in April.  The hires rate was 3.5%.  The number of hires decreased for total private (-257,000) and was little changed for government.  Hires decreased in health care and social assistance (-68,000) and real estate and rental and leasing (-23,000).  The number of hires decreased in the West region.

 

Separations

 

Total separations include quits, layoffs and discharges, and other separations.  Total separations is referred to as turnover.  Quits are generally voluntary separations initiated by the employee.  Therefore, the quits rate can serve as a measure of workers’ willingness or ability to leave jobs.  Layoffs and discharges are involuntary separations initiated by the employer.  Other separations includes separations due to retirement, death, disability, and transfers to other locations of the same firm.

 

The number of total separations edged down to 5,000,000 (-225,000) in April.  The total separations rate was 3.4%.  Total separations decreased for total private (-239,000) and was little changed for government.  Total separations increased in state and local government education (+17,000) but decreased in retail trade (-100,000).  The number of total separations was little changed in all 4 regions.

 

The number of quits edged down to 3,000,000 (-111,000) in April.  The quits rate was 2.1%.  The number of quits was little changed for total private and decreased for government (-21,000).  Quits decreased in retail trade (-72,000); state and local government, excluding education (-20,000); and information (-12,000).  The number of quits was little changed in all 4 regions.

 

There were 1,600,000 layoffs and discharges in April, little changed from March.  The layoffs and discharges rate was 1.1% in April.  The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed for total private and increased for government (+32,000).  The layoffs and discharges level increased in state and local government, excluding education (+20,000) and in state and local government education (+12,000).  Layoffs and discharges decreased in real estate and rental and leasing (-23,000).  The number of layoffs and discharges was little changed in all 4 regions.

 

The number of other separations was little changed in April.  Other separations edged down for total private (-46,000) and was little changed for government.  Other separations increased in state and local government education (+5,000) but decreased in professional and business services (-32,000).  In the regions, the number of other separations decreased in the Midwest.

 

Net Change in Employment

 

Large numbers of hires and separations occur every month throughout the business cycle.  Net employment change results from the relationship between hires and separations.  When the number of hires exceeds the number of separations, employment rises, even if the hires level is steady or declining.  Conversely, when the number of hires is less than the number of separations, employment declines, even if the hires level is steady or rising.  Over the 12 months ending in April, hires totaled 62,900,000 and separations totaled 60,700,000, yielding a net employment gain of 2,200,000.  These totals include workers who may have been hired and separated more than once during the year.

 

The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey results for May 2017 are scheduled to be released on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT).

 

 

As we recruiters know, that 6,000,000 number only represents 20% of the jobs currently available in the marketplace.  The other 80% of job openings are unpublished and are filled through networking or word of mouth or by using a RECRUITER.   So, those 6,000,000 published job openings now become a total of 30,000,000 published AND hidden job orders.

 

In June there were 6,977,000 unemployed workers.  What was the main reason why those workers were unemployed?  Two Words:  Structural Unemployment.  If we can’t figure out how to educate and/or reeducate those 6,977,000 unemployed, then they will keep reappearing each month as a BLS unemployment statistic—as they have.  In the meantime, our recruitment marketplace flourishes!

 

 

Online Job Ads Decreased 45,800 in June

July 5, 2017

 

*Following the May increase, HWOL registered a small loss in June

*All 4 regions showed losses

*Most occupations showed losses over the month

 

Online advertised vacancies decreased 45,800 to 4,763,400 in June, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series, released today.  The May Supply/Demand rate stands at 1.43 unemployed for each advertised vacancy, with a total of 2,100,000 more unemployed workers than the number of advertised vacancies.  The number of unemployed was approximately 6,900,000 in May.

 

The Professional occupational category saw losses in Healthcare Practitioners (-27.7), Business and Financial Operations (-16.3), and Computer and Math (-11.5).  The Services/Production occupational category saw gains in Food Preparation (23.3) and Transportation (6.3) and losses in Office and Administrative Support (-8.8).

 

NOTE: Recently, the HWOL Data Series has experienced a declining trend in the number of online job ads that may not reflect broader trends in the U.S. labor market. Based on changes in how job postings appear online, The Conference Board is reviewing its HWOL methodology to ensure accuracy and alignment with market trends.

 

OCCUPATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

*In June, 7 of the largest 10 online occupational categories posted decreases.

 

Healthcare practitioners and technical ads decreased 27,700 to 614,700.  The supply/demand rate lies at 0.23, i.e. over 4 advertised openings per unemployed job-seeker.

 

Computer and mathematical science ads decreased 11,500 to 530,600.  The supply/demand rate lies at 0.19, i.e. over 5 advertised openings per unemployed job-seeker.

 

Business and finance ads decreased 16,300 to 282,300.  The supply/demand rate lies at 0.60, i.e. over 1 advertised opening per unemployed job-seeker.

 

Food preparation and serving related ads increased 23,300 to 231,000.  The supply/demand rate for these occupations lies at 3.02, more than 3 unemployed job-seekers for every advertised available opening.

 

Office and administrative support ads decreased 8,800 to 498,600.  The supply/demand rate lies at 1.32, i.e. over 1 unemployed job-seeker for every advertised available opening.

 

Transportation and material moving ads increased 6,300 to 305,600.  The supply/demand rate lies at 1.90, more than 1 advertised opening per unemployed job-seeker.

 

(The August 2017 Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series will be released at 10:00 AM ET on Wednesday, August 2, 2017).

 

 

U-6 Update

 

In June, 2017 the regular unemployment number rose one-tenth to 4.4%, and the broader U-6 measure rose to 8.6%, two-tenths less than twice as high as the regular unemployment figure.

 

The above 8.6% is referred to as the U-6 unemployment rate (found in the monthly BLS Employment Situation Summary, Table A-15; Table A-12 in 2008 and before).  It counts not only people without work seeking full-time employment (the more familiar U-3 rate), but also counts “marginally attached workers and those working part-time for economic reasons.”  Note that some of these part-time workers counted as employed by U-3 could be working as little as an hour a week.  And the “marginally attached workers” include those who have gotten discouraged and stopped looking, but still want to work.  The age considered for this calculation is 16 year and over.

 

Here is a look at the June U-6 numbers for the past 14 years:

 

June 2016                    9.6%

June 2015                    10.5%

June 2014                    12.0%

June 2013                    14.2%

June 2012                    14.8%

June 2011                    16.2%

June 2010                    16.5%

June 2009                    16.5%

June 2008                    10.1%

June 2007                    8.3%

June 2006                    8.4%

June 2005                    9.0%

June 2004                    9.6%

June 2003                    10.3%

 

 

The June 2017 BLS Analysis

 

According to the June 2017 Employment Situation Summary, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a division of the US Department of Labor, the total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 222,000 in June.

 

The unemployment rate is also published by the BLS.  That rate is found by dividing the number of unemployed by the total civilian labor force.  On July 7th, 2017, the BLS published the most recent unemployment rate for June 2017 of 4.4% (actually it is 4.357% up by .063% from 4.294%, in May, 2017.

 

The unemployment rate was determined by dividing the unemployed of 6,977,000 (–up from the month before by 116,000—since June, 2016 this number has decreased by 822,000) by the total civilian labor force of 160,145,000 (up by 361,000 from May, 2017).  Since June 2016, our total civilian labor force has increased by 1,256,000 workers.

 

(The continuing ‘Strange BLS Math’ saga—after a detour in December when the BLS {for the first time in years} DECREASED the total Civilian Noninstitutional Population—this month the BLS increased this total to 254,957,000.  This is an increase of 173,000 from last month’s increase of 179,000.  In one year’s time, this population has increased by 1,560,000. The Civilian Noninstitutional Population has increased each month—except in December 2016—by…)

 

Up from May 2017 by 173,000
Up from April 2017 by 179,000
Up from March 2017 by 174,000
Up from February 2017 by 168,000
Up from January 2017 by 164,000
Down from December 2016 by 660,000
Up from November 2016 by 202,000
Up from October 2016 by 219,000
Up from September 2016 by 230,000
Up from August 2016 by 237,000
Up from July 2016 by 234,000
Up from June 2016 by 223,000
Up from May 2016 by 223,000
Up from April 2016 by 205,000
Up from March 2016 by 201,000
Up from February 2016 by 191,000
Up from January 2016 by 180,000
Up from December 2015 by 461,000
Up from November 2015 by 189,000
Up from October 2015 by 206,000
Up from September 2015 by 216,000
Up from August 2015 by 229,000
Up from July 2015 by 220,000
Up from June 2015 by 213,000
Up from May 2015 by 208,000
Up from April 2015 by 189,000
Up from March 2015 by 186,000
Up from February 2015 by 191,000
Up from January 2015 by 176,000
Up from December 2014 by 696,000
Up from November 2014 by 143,000
Up from October 2014 by 187,000
Up from September 2014 by 211,000
Up from August 2014 by 217,000
Up from July 2014 by 206,000
Up from June 2014 by 209,000
Up from May 2014 by 192,000
Up from April 2014 by 183,000
Up from March 2014 by 181,000
Up from February 2014 by 173,000
Up from January 2014 by 170,000
Up from December 2013 by 170,000
Up from November 2013 by 178,000
Up from October 2013 by 186,000
Up from September 2013 by 213,000
Up from August 2013 by 209,000
Up from July 2013 by 203,000
Up from June 2013 by 204,000
Up from May 2013 by 189,000
Up from April 2013 by 188,000
Up from March 2013 by 180,000
Up from February 2013 by 167,000
Up from January 2013 by 165,000
Up from December 2012 by 313,000
Up from November 2012 by 176,000
Up from October 2012 by 191,000
Up from September 2012 by 211,000
Up from August 2012 by 206,000
Up from July 2012 by 212,000
Up from June 2012 by 199,000
Up from May 2012 by 189,000
Up from April 2012 by 182,000
Up from March 2012 by 180,000
Up from February 2012 by 169,000
Up from January 2012 by 335,000
Up from December 2011 by 2,020,000

 

This month the BLS has increased the Civilian Labor Force to 160,145,000 (up from May by 361,000).

 

Subtract the second number (‘civilian labor force’) from the first number (‘civilian noninstitutional population’) and you get 94, 812,000 (not the published 94,813,000) ‘Not in Labor Force’—down by 171,000 from last month’s 94,983,000.  The government tells us that most of these NILFs got discouraged and just gave up looking for a job.  My monthly recurring question is:  “If that is the case, how do they survive when they don’t earn any money because they don’t have a job?  Are they ALL relying on the government to support them??”

 

This month our Employment Participation Rate—the population 16 years and older working or seeking work—rose one-tenth of a point to 62.8%.  This is .4% above the historically low rate of 62.4% recorded in September 2015—and, before that, the rate recorded in October 1977—9 months into Jimmy Carter’s presidency—almost 40 years ago!

 

Final take on these numbers:  Fewer people looking for work will always bring down the unemployment rate.

 

Anyway, back to the point I am trying to make.  On the surface, these new unemployment rates are scary, but let’s look a little deeper and consider some other numbers.

 

The unemployment rate includes all types of workers—construction workers, government workers, etc.  We recruiters, on the other hand, mainly place management, professional and related types of workers.  That unemployment rate in June was 2.3% (this rate was .4% higher than last month’s 1.9%).  Or, you can look at it another way.  We usually place people who have college degrees.  That unemployment rate in June was 2.4% (this rate was .1% higher than last month’s 2.3%).

 

Now stay with me a little longer.  This gets better.  It’s important to understand (and none of the pundits mention this) that the unemployment rate, for many reasons, will never be 0%, no matter how good the economy is.  Without boring you any more than I have already, let me add here that Milton Friedman (the renowned Nobel Prize-winning economist), is famous for the theory of the “natural rate of unemployment” (or the term he preferred, NAIRU, which is the acronym for Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment).  Basically, this theory states that full employment presupposes an ‘unavoidable and acceptable’ unemployment rate of somewhere between 4-6% with it.  Economists often settle on 5%, although the “New Normal Unemployment Rate” has been suggested to fall at 6.7%.

 

Nevertheless (if you will allow me to apply a ‘macro’ concept to a ‘micro’ issue), if this rate is applied to our main category of Management, Professional and Related types of potential recruits, and/or our other main category of College-Degreed potential recruits, we are well below the 4-6% threshold for full employment…we find no unemployment!  None!  Zilch!  A Big Goose Egg!

 

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF GDP

 

“The economic goal of any nation, as of any individual, is to get the greatest results with the least effort.  The whole economic progress of mankind has consisted in getting more production with the same labor…Translated into national terms, this first principle means that our real objective is to maximize production.  In doing this, full employment—that is, the absence of involuntary idleness—becomes a necessary by-product.  But production is the end, employment merely the means.  We cannot continuously have the fullest production without full employment.  But we can very easily have full employment without full production.”

 

Economics in One Lesson, by Henry Hazlitt, Chapter X, “The Fetish of Full Employment”

On June 29th, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) announced the real gross domestic product (GDP) — the value of the goods and services produced by the nation’s economy less the value of the goods and services used up in production, adjusted for price changes — increased at an annual rate of 1.4% in the first quarter of 2017, according to the “third” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2016, real GDP increased 2.1%. The GDP estimate is based on more complete source data than were available for the “second” estimate issued last month.  In the second estimate, the increase in real GDP was 1.2%.  With the third estimate for the first quarter, personal consumption expenditures (PCE) and exports increased more than previously estimated, but the general picture of economic growth remains the same. The increase in real GDP in the first quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from nonresidential fixed investment, exports, PCE, and residential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from private inventory investment, federal government spending, and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. The deceleration in real GDP in the first quarter reflected a downturn in private inventory investment, a deceleration in PCE, and a downturn in state and local government spending that were partly offset by an upturn in exports, an acceleration in nonresidential fixed investment, and a deceleration in imports. Updates to GDP The upward revision to the percent change in real GDP primarily reflected upward revisions to PCE and to exports which were partly offset by a downward revision to nonresidential fixed investment.  Three Update Releases to GDP BEA releases 3 vintages of the current quarterly estimate for GDP:  “Advance” estimates are released near the end of the first month following the end of the quarter and are based on source data that are incomplete or subject to further revision by the source agency; “second” and “third” estimates are released near the end of the second and third months, respectively, and are based on more detailed and more comprehensive data as they become available. Annual and comprehensive updates are typically released in late July.  Annual updates generally cover at least the 3 most recent calendar years (and their associated quarters) and incorporate newly available major annual source data as well as some changes in methods and definitions to improve the accounts.  Comprehensive (or benchmark) updates are carried out at about 5-year intervals and incorporate major periodic source data, as well as major conceptual improvements.

(The Second Quarter 2017 “Advance Estimate” will be released on July 28th, 2017)  

 

 

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT EVER TO BE ZERO

 

‘Unemployment’ is an emotional ‘trigger’ word…a ‘third rail’, if you will.  It conjures up negative thoughts.  But it is important to realize that, while we want everyone who wants a job to have the opportunity to work, unemployment can never be zero and, in fact, can be disruptive to an economy if it gets too close to zero.  Very low unemployment can actually hurt the economy by creating an upward pressure on wages which invariably leads to higher production costs and prices.  This can lead to inflation.  The lowest the unemployment rate has been in the US was 2.5%.  That was in May and June 1953 when the economy overheated due to the Korean War.  When this bubble burst, it kicked off the Recession of 1953.  A healthy economy will always include some percentage of unemployment.

 

There are five main sources of unemployment:

 

  1. Cyclical (or demand-deficient) unemployment – This type of unemployment fluctuates with the business cycle. It rises during a recession and falls during the subsequent recovery.  Workers who are most affected by this type of unemployment are laid off during a recession when production volumes fall and companies use lay-offs as the easiest way to reduce costs.  These workers are usually rehired, some months later, when the economy improves.

 

  1. Frictional unemployment – This comes from the normal turnover in the labor force. This is where new workers are entering the workforce and older workers are retiring and leaving vacancies to be filled by the new workers or those re-entering the workforce.  This category includes workers who are between jobs.

 

  1. Structural unemployment – This happens when the skills possessed by the unemployed worker don’t match the requirements of the opening—whether those be in characteristics and skills or in location. This can come from new technology or foreign competition (e.g., foreign outsourcing).  This type of unemployment usually lasts longer than frictional unemployment because retraining, and sometimes relocation, is involved.  Occasionally jobs in this category can just disappear overseas.

 

  1. Seasonal unemployment – This happens when the workforce is affected by the climate or time of year. Construction workers and agricultural workers aren’t needed as much during the winter season because of the inclement weather.  On the other hand, retail workers experience an increase in hiring shortly before, and during, the holiday season, but can be laid off shortly thereafter.

 

  1. Surplus unemployment – This is caused by minimum wage laws and unions. When wages are set at a higher level, unemployment can often result.  Why?  To keep within the same payroll budget, the company must let go of some workers to pay the remaining workers a higher salary.

 

Other factors influencing the unemployment rate:

 

  1. Length of unemployment – Some studies indicate that an important factor influencing a workers decision to accept a new job is directly related to the length of the unemployment benefit they are receiving. Currently, in 2015, workers in most states are eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits from the regular state-funded unemployment compensation program, although eight states provide fewer weeks and two provide more. No additional weeks of federal benefits are available in any state:  the temporary Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program expired at the end of 2013, and no state currently qualifies to offer more weeks under the permanent Extended Benefits (EB) program.  Studies suggest that additional weeks of benefits reduce the incentive of the unemployed to seek and accept less desirable jobs.

 

  1. Changes in GDP – Since hiring workers takes time, the improvement in the unemployment rate usually lags behind the improvement in the GDP.

 

WHERE RECRUITERS PLACE

 

Now back to the issue at hand, namely the recruiting, and placing, of professionals and those with college degrees.

 

If you take a look at the past few years of unemployment in the June “management, professional and related” types of worker category, you will find the following rates:

 

June 2016                    2.8%

June 2015                    2.9%

June 2014                    3.5%

June 2013                    4.2%

June 2012                    4.4%

June 2011                    4.7%

June 2010                    4.9%

June 2009                    5.0%

June 2008                    2.7%

June 2007                    2.3%

June 2006                    2.4%

June 2005                    2.6%

June 2004                    2.9%

June 2003                    3.5%

June 2002                    3.3%

June 2001                    2.1%

 

Here are the rates, during those same time periods, for “college-degreed” workers:

 

June 2016                    2.5%

June 2015                    2.5%

June 2014                    3.3%

June 2013                    3.9%

June 2012                    4.1%

June 2011                    4.4%

June 2010                    4.4%

June 2009                    4.7%

June 2008                    2.4%

June 2007                    2.0%

June 2006                    2.1%

June 2005                    2.3%

June 2004                    2.7%

June 2003                    3.1%

June 2002                    3.0%

June 2001                    2.1%

 

The June 2017 rates for these two categories, 2.3% and 2.4%, respectively, are low again this month and are at or close to the halcyon numbers we attained in the 2006/2007 time frames.  But regardless, these unemployment numbers usually include a good number of job hoppers, job shoppers and rejects.  We, on the other hand, are engaged by our client companies to find those candidates who are happy, well-appreciated, making good money and currently working and we entice them to move for even better opportunities—especially where new technologies are expanding.  This will never change.  And that is why, no matter the overall unemployment rate, we still need to market to find the best possible job orders to work and we still need to RECRUIT to find the best possible candidates for those JOs.

 

 

 

 

Below are the numbers for the over 25 year olds:

 

 

 

Less than H.S. diploma – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
7.7% 7.4% 8.2% 7.9% 8.4% 8.9% 8.6% 9.7% 9.8% 10.4% 10.6% 10.9%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
12.0% 12.6% 13.3% 14.8% 15.5% 15.5% 15.4% 15.6% 15.0% 15.5% 15.0% 15.3%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
15.2% 15.6% 14.5% 14.7% 15.0% 14.1% 13.8% 14.0% 15.4% 15.3% 15.7% 15.3%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
14.2% 13.9% 13.7% 14.6% 14.7% 14.3% 15.0% 14.3% 14.0% 13.8% 13.2% 13.8%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
13.1% 12.9% 12.6% 12.5% 13.0% 12.6% 12.7% 12.0% 11.3% 12.2% 12.2% 11.7%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
12.0% 11.2% 11.1% 11.6% 11.1% 10.7% 11.0% 11.3% 10.3% 10.9% 10.8% 9.8%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
9.6% 9.8% 9.6% 8.9% 9.1% 9.1% 9.6% 9.1% 8.4% 7.9% 8.5% 8.8%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
8.5% 8.4% 8.6% 8.6% 8.6% 8.2% 8.3% 7.7% 7.7% 7.3% 6.8% 6.7%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
7.4% 7.3% 7.4% 7.5% 7.1% 7.5% 6.3% 7.2% 8.5% 7.3% 7.9% 7.9%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
7.7% 7.9% 6.8% 6.5% 6.1% 6.4%

 

H.S. Grad; no college – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
4.6% 4.7% 5.1% 5.0% 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.8% 6.3% 6.5% 6.9% 7.7%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
8.1% 8.3% 9.0% 9.3% 10.0% 9.8% 9.4% 9.7% 10.8% 11.2% 10.4% 10.5%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
10.1% 10.5% 10.8% 10.6% 10.9% 10.8% 10.1% 10.3% 10.0% 10.1% 10.0% 9.8%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
9.4% 9.5% 9.5% 9.7% 9.5% 10.0% 9.3% 9.6% 9.7% 9.6% 8.8% 8.7%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
8.4% 8.3% 8.0% 7.9% 8.1% 8.4% 8.7% 8.8% 8.7% 8.4% 8.1% 8.0%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
8.1% 7.9% 7.6% 7.4% 7.4% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.6% 7.3% 7.3% 7.1%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
6.5% 6.4% 6.3% 6.3% 6.5% 5.8% 6.1% 6.2% 5.3% 5.7% 5.6% 5.3%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
5.4% 5.4% 5.3% 5.4% 5.8% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5% 5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.6%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
5.3% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 5.1% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.2% 5.5% 4.9% 5.1%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
5.3% 5.0% 4.9% 4.6% 4.7% 4.6%

 

Some College; or AA/AS – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 4.0% 4.3% 4.4% 4.6% 5.0% 5.1% 5.3% 5.5% 5.6%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
6.2% 7.0% 7.2% 7.4% 7.7% 8.0% 7.9% 8.2% 8.5% 9.0% 9.0% 9.0%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
8.5% 8.0% 8.2% 8.3% 8.3% 8.2% 8.3% 8.7% 9.1% 8.5% 8.7% 8.1%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
8.0% 7.8% 7.4% 7.5% 8.0% 8.4% 8.3% 8.2% 8.4% 8.3% 7.6% 7.7%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
7.2% 7.3% 7.5% 7.6% 7.9% 7.5% 7.1% 6.6% 6.5% 6.9% 6.6% 6.9%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
7.0% 6.7% 6.4% 6.4% 6.5% 6.4% 6.0% 6.1% 6.0% 6.3% 6.4% 6.1%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
6.0% 6.2% 6.1% 5.7% 5.5% 5.0% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
5.2% 5.1% 4.8% 4.7% 4.4% 4.2% 4.4% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 4.4% 4.1%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
4.2% 4.2% 4.1% 4.1% 3.9% 4.2% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 3.9% 3.8%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
3.8% 4.0% 3.7% 3.7% 4.0% 3.8%

 

BS/BS + – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 2.3% 2.4% 2.5% 2.7% 2.6% 3.1% 3.2% 3.7%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
3.8% 4.1% 4.3% 4.4% 4.8% 4.7% 4.7% 4.7% 4.9% 4.7% 4.9% 5.0%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
4.9% 5.0% 4.9% 4.9% 4.7% 4.4% 4.5% 4.6% 4.4% 4.7% 5.1% 4.8%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
4.2% 4.3% 4.4% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.3% 4.3% 4.2% 4.4% 4.4% 4.1%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
4.2% 4.2% 4.2% 4.0% 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 3.9% 3.8% 3.9% 3.8% 3.5% 3.7% 3.8% 3.4% 3.3%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
3.2% 3.4% 3.4% 3.3% 3.2% 3.3% 3.1% 3.2% 2.9% 3.1% 3.2% 2.8%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
2.8% 2.7% 2.5% 2.7% 2.7% 2.5% 2.6% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.5% 2.7% 2.5% 2.6% 2.3% 2.5%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
2.5% 2.4% 2.5% 2.4% 2.3% 2.4%

 

Management, Professional & Related – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
2.2% 2.2% 2.1% 2.0% 2.6% 2.7% 2.9% 3.3% 2.8% 3.0% 3.2% 3.3%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
4.1% 3.9% 4.2% 4.0% 4.6% 5.0% 5.5% 5.4% 5.2% 4.7% 4.6% 4.6%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
5.0% 4.8% 4.7% 4.5% 4.5% 4.9% 5.0% 5.1% 4.4% 4.5% 4.7% 4.6%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
4.7% 4.4% 4.3% 4.0% 4.4% 4.7% 5.0% 4.9% 4.4% 4.4% 4.2% 4.2%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
4.3% 4.2% 4.2% 3.7% 4.0% 4.4% 4.8% 4.5% 3.9% 3.8% 3.6% 3.9%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
3.9% 3.8% 3.6% 3.5% 3.5% 4.2% 4.1% 3.8% 3.5% 3.4% 3.1% 2.9%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
3.1% 3.2% 3.3% 2.9% 3.1% 3.5% 3.5% 3.4% 2.8% 2.7% 2.8% 2.7%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
2.9% 2.7% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.9% 3.1% 2.9% 2.4% 2.2% 2.1% 2.0%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
2.3% 2.4% 2.4% 2.1% 2.1% 2.8% 3.0% 3.1% 2.7% 2.5% 2.3% 2.2%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
2.3% 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 1.9% 2.3%

 

Or employed…(,000)

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
52,165 52,498 52,681 52,819 52,544 52,735 52,655 52,626 53,104 53,485 53,274 52,548

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
52,358 52,196 52,345 52,597 52,256 51,776 51,810 51,724 52,186 52,981 52,263 52,131

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
52,159 52,324 52,163 52,355 51,839 51,414 50,974 50,879 51,757 51,818 52,263 51,704

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
51,866 52,557 53,243 53,216 52,778 52,120 51,662 51,997 52,665 52,864 52,787 52,808

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
53,152 53,208 53,771 54,055 54,156 53,846 53,165 53,696 54,655 55,223 54,951 54,635

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
54,214 54,563 54,721 54,767 54,740 54,323 54,064 54,515 55,013 55,155 55,583 54,880

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
55,096 55,501 56,036 55,896 56,202 55,714 55,381 55,646 56,365 56,759 57,110 56,888

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
57,367 57,596 57,805 57,953 58,155 57,710 57,392 57,288 58,105 58,456 58,667 59,030

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
59,014 59,583 60,080 59,690 59,613 59,181 58,434 58,526 59,599 59,766 59,707 60,069

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
59,921 61,064 61,156 61,317 61,174 60,705

 

And unemployed…(,000)

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
1,164 1,159 1,121 1,088 1,407 1,478 1,585 1,779 1,539 1,647 1,786 1,802

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
2,238 2,137 2,292 2,164 2,373 2,720 3,034 2,925 2,859 2,593 2,530 2,509

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
2,762 2,637 2,600 2,464 2,450 2,644 2,687 2,762 2,381 2,417 2,525 2,468

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
2,557 2,435 2,381 2,196 2,419 2,598 2,742 2,671 2,450 2,410 2,336 2,303

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
2,410 2,336 2,330 2,062 2,275 2,472 2,666 2,556 2,245 2,170 2,077 2,221

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
2,211 2,164 2,020 1,980 1,990 2,358 2,286 2,130 1,978 1,930 1,749 1,637

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
1,784 1,845 1,890 1,642 1,795 2,001 2,011 1,930 1,617 1,582 1,656 1,568

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
1,741 1,601 1,398 1,435 1,460 1,714 1,807 1,686 1,414 1,312 1,276 1,208

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
1,404 1,456 1,477 1,251 1,305 1,712 1,782 1,869 1,652 1,506 1,382 1,361

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
1,425 1,313 1,265 1,254 1,208 1,440

 

For a total Management, Professional & Related workforce of…(,000)

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
53,329 53,657 53,802 53,907 53,951 54,213 54,240 54,405 54,643 55,132 55,060 54,350

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
54,596 54,333 54,637 54,761 54,629 54,496 54,844 54,649 55,045 55,574 54,793 54,640

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
54,921 54,961 54,763 54,819 54,289 54,058 53,661 53,641 54,138 54,235 54,788 54,172

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
54,423 54,992 55,624 55,412 55,197 54,718 54,404 54,668 55,115 55,274 55,123 55,111

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
55,562 55,544 56,101 56,117 56,431 56,318 55,831 56,252 56,900 57,393 57,028 56,856

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
56,425 56,727 56,741 56,747 56,730 56,681 56,350 56,645 56,991 57,085 57,332 56,517

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
56,880 57,346 57,926 57,538 57,997 57,715 57,392 57,576 57,982 58,341 58,766 58,456

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
59,108 59,197 59,203 59,388 59,615 59,424 59,199 58,974 59,519 59,768 59,943 60,238

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
60,418 61,039 61,557 60,941 60,918 60,893 60,216 60,395 61,251 61,272 61,089 61,430

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
61,346 62,377 62,421 62,571 62,382 62,145

 

Management, Business and Financial Operations – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
2.3% 2.3% 2.2% 2.1% 2.7% 2.5% 2.6% 2.8% 2.8% 3.0% 3.6% 3.9%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
4.6% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.6% 4.8% 4.9% 5.0% 5.2% 5.4% 5.4% 5.2%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
5.2% 5.1% 5.4% 5.1% 4.9% 4.8% 4.7% 4.9% 4.3% 5.0% 5.5% 5.7%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
5.3% 4.9% 4.8% 4.6% 4.9% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.6% 4.7% 4.6% 4.4%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
4.5% 4.4% 4.4% 4.0% 4.1% 3.8% 3.8% 3.7% 3.5% 3.6% 3.8% 4.1%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
4.0% 3.9% 3.5% 3.5% 3.8% 3.5% 3.1% 3.4% 3.3% 3.7% 3.2% 3.1%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
3.4% 3.6% 3.5% 3.2% 3.3% 2.8% 2.7% 2.6% 2.4% 2.7% 2.7% 2.5%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
3.0% 2.8% 2.6% 2.6% 2.9% 2.4% 2.3% 2.2% 2.4% 2.2% 2.1% 1.9%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
2.3% 2.6% 2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.5% 2.4% 2.5% 2.8% 2.5% 2.3% 2.4%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
2.5% 2.4% 2.4% 2.2% 1.8% 1.9%

 

Professional & Related – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
2.1% 2.1% 2.0% 2.0% 2.5% 2.9% 3.2% 3.6% 2.8% 3.0% 3.0% 2.9%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
4.9% 4.6% 4.3% 4.1% 4.3% 5.0% 5.2% 5.3% 4.4% 4.1% 4.1% 3.8%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
4.3% 4.1% 3.9% 3.5% 4.0% 4.9% 5.3% 5.1% 4.4% 4.1% 4.0% 4.0%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
4.2% 4.1% 4.0% 3.5% 4.0% 4.8% 5.5% 5.2% 4.3% 3.9% 3.5% 3.8%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
3.8% 3.8% 3.6% 3.4% 3.3% 4.6% 4.7% 4.0% 3.6% 3.1% 2.9% 2.7%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
2.9% 3.0% 3.1% 2.6% 2.9% 4.0% 4.1% 3.9% 3.1% 2.7% 2.9% 2.8%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
2.9% 2.7% 2.2% 2.3% 2.1% 3.2% 3.6% 3.3% 2.4% 2.2% 2.2% 2.1%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
2.4% 2.2% 2.3% 1.8% 2.0% 3.1% 3.4% 3.5% 2.6% 2.4% 2.2% 2.1%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
2.2% 1.9% 1.8% 1.8% 2.0% 2.6%

 

Sales & Related – Unemployment Rate

 

1/08 2/08 3/08 4/08 5/08 6/08 7/08 8/08 9/08 10/08 11/08 12/08
5.2% 5.2% 4.8% 4.3% 5.1% 5.6% 6.2% 6.3% 5.7% 6.1% 6.5% 7.0%

 

1/09 2/09 3/09 4/09 5/09 6/09 7/09 8/09 9/09 10/09 11/09 12/09
7.7% 8.4% 8.9% 8.6% 8.9% 9.1% 8.3% 8.7% 8.9% 9.5% 9.1% 8.9%

 

1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10
10.1% 10.2% 9.7% 9.2% 9.6% 9.4% 10.1% 9.0% 9.4% 9.1% 8.8% 8.3%

 

1/11 2/11 3/11 4/11 5/11 6/11 7/11 8/11 9/11 10/11 11/11 12/11
9.3% 9.0% 8.5% 8.5% 9.4% 9.7% 9.4% 8.6% 9.4% 8.2% 7.8% 7.7%

 

1/12 2/12 3/12 4/12 5/12 6/12 7/12 8/12 9/12 10/12 11/12 12/12
8.2% 7.9% 8.1% 7.6% 7.9% 8.4% 8.3% 8.6% 7.9% 7.0% 7.3% 7.0%

 

1/13 2/13 3/13 4/13 5/13 6/13 7/13 8/13 9/13 10/13 11/13 12/13
8.5% 8.2% 7.7% 6.9% 7.1% 6.7% 6.9% 7.2% 7.5% 7.3% 7.0% 6.3%

 

1/14 2/14 3/14 4/14 5/14 6/14 7/14 8/14 9/14 10/14 11/14 12/14
7.1% 7.7% 6.8% 5.8% 6.8% 6.1% 6.2% 5.6% 5.4% 5.2% 5.3% 5.0%

 

1/15 2/15 3/15 4/15 5/15 6/15 7/15 8/15 9/15 10/15 11/15 12/15
5.8% 5.2% 5.8% 5.5% 5.8% 5.6% 5.8% 5.4% 5.6% 5.3% 5.1% 4.3%

 

1/16 2/16 3/16 4/16 5/16 6/16 7/16 8/16 9/16 10/16 11/16 12/16
5.0% 4.4% 4.4% 5.2% 5.1% 4.9% 4.9% 4.8% 5.2% 4.4% 4.6% 4.6%

 

1/17 2/17 3/17 4/17 5/17 6/17 7/17 8/17 9/17 10/17 11/17 12/17
5.2% 4.3% 3.9% 4.2% 4.5% 4.8%