JobsStat

Ohio’s unemployment rate rose once again in June, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Joblessness increased by 0.3 percent from the previous month’s 10.8 percent to 11.1 percent. During the same month in 2008 only 6.4 percent of the state’s population was unable to find jobs.

The national unemployment rate also increased 0.1 percent, rising from 9.4 percent to 9.5 percent. This is significantly higher than June of 2008’s rate of 5.6 percent.

Considering the rise in unemployment, it is understandable that employees in Ohio are feeling somewhat uninspired about the state’s job situation. According to a recent press release, Spherion’s Employee Confidence Index for the state saw a decline during the month. It fell 1.8 points from the previous month’s rate to stand at 45.6 points.

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Many of the students now graduating college have fears about their abilities to find work. With the national media focusing so much attention of jobs lost due the recession, some of these individuals are concerned that their degrees won’t be enough to land them employment. According to a recent press release from CareerBuilder.com, these fears may have some grounding in reality.

Through a survey of employers the job search giant found that the number of employers planning to higher new graduates for entry-level positions this year has dropped in comparison to projections from the last two previous years. This means that the job market for graduates will be somewhat more competitive for 2009.

Every year CareerBuilder polls employers for its Annual College Job Forecast. This year 43 percent of employers who participated reported that they plan to hire recent graduates. This figure is down 13 percent since 2008’s 56 percent and 36 percent from 2007’s 79 percent.

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