Good Jobs Are Getting Scarce

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106489/Good-Jobs-Getting-Scarce.aspx

by Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist

PRINCETON, NJ -- The percentage of Americans saying now is a good time to find a quality job fell six percentage points to 20% in April from 26% in March and now stands at less than half its April 2007 reading of 46%.



Lower-Income Americans See Biggest Drop in Job Outlook

Earlier this month, the Labor Department reported that the United States lost 80,000 jobs in March. That was the third straight monthly job loss, and the unemployment rate has now increased to 5.1%. On Thursday, initial jobless claims fell by a more-than-expected 53,000, but the less volatile four-week moving average increased to 378,250, which represents the highest level since late 2005.

Gallup's monthly job measure shows a similarly dismal picture for early April, with just 20% of Americans saying now is a good time to find a quality job. This is down from 26% in March and 46% in April of last year. It is also the lowest percentage for this measure since the 19% recorded in September 2003, and not much better than the record low of 16% of March 2003. The high since Gallup began tracking the measure in 2001 is 48% in January 2007.

The April decline in consumer perceptions of the job market differed significantly across income groups. Among those making less than $30,000 a year, positive perceptions of the job market fell by nearly half, from 23% in March to 12% in April. They fell more modestly, from 26% to 21%, among those making $30,000 but less than $75,000. However, job outlook perceptions were unchanged at 28% in April among those making $75,000 or more a year.

FULL story at link.

[orangerevolution]

1. How was "Quality Job" defined? n/t

[Omaha Steve]

2. benefits

Long term prospect etc....