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U.S. employers created jobs at a
tepid pace in June, a new
report shows. But the service sector added 150,000 jobs last month, and the
professional-and-business-services industry added 56,000 jobs, the biggest
increase since February, according to the Labor Department. With the
unemployment rate at 5%, its
lowest level since 2001, economists say the labor market continues to
gradually improve.
WHAT TO DO: If you've
been considering a career change, now may be the time to look at your options.
Check out
CareerJournal.com's series on
changing careers. Assess your
current situation and whether you're really ready to
jump ship, with the help of two online quizzes. Consider this
four-step strategy for changing jobs, and see this page on
salary information. Use this job
search tool to get an idea of what's available now. Read about
twentysomethings balancing creative ambitions with career goals, in
Act One.
Getting Better
Unemployment rate by industry:
|
2005 |
2004 |
| Leisure and Hospitality |
7.6% |
9.6% |
| Professional and Business Services |
5.8 |
6.5 |
| Information |
5.0 |
5.0 |
| Construction |
5.7 |
7.0 |
| Manufacturing |
4.4 |
5.6 |
| Wholesale and Retail Trade |
5.7 |
5.8 |
| Transportation and Utilities |
4.5 |
4.3 |
| Education and Health Services |
3.6 |
4.2 |
| Financial Activities |
3.3 |
3.6 |
| Mining |
4.0 |
5.0 |
Note: Data for June, not seasonally adjusted.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
