Despite High Unemployment Rate, Companies Still Hiring

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• May 06 2009
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A New York Times article indicates that although 4.8 million people were laid off or chose to leave their jobs in February, U.S. companies hired 4.3 million workers that same month. The numbers come from a study done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sectors that are hiring large amounts of people include hospitals, colleges, discount stores, restaurants and municipal public works departments. But retailers and manufacturers are playing a big role in hiring, as well, according to the article:

“Economists and job counselors advise the unemployed that there are definitely jobs to be had, even if there aren’t nearly enough to go around. With 13.2 million people out of work, there are 4 1/3 unemployed Americans for every job opening. “You’re facing more competition for every job you apply for, but the reality is there is a lot of hiring going on,” said Andrew M. Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University. “You’re never going to find anything unless you apply.”

Even industries that have taken a beating are doing plenty of hiring. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction companies hired 366,000 workers in February, and manufacturers hired 249,000. Retailers hired 536,000 workers in February, but that was down 25 percent from the previous February.”

To read the entire aritlce, visit nytimes.com.