According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment recently fell to 7.7% from 7.9%, a continuing slow recovery that reflects both a weak job market and the slight decrease that most likely reflects the fact that many people have simply given up on trying to find a job. The African American jobless rate is about twice that of whites. So, where can jobs be found?
The worst cities for job seekers, according to Forbes, include Detroit (unemployment rate = 19.9%), New York (cost of living index = 229.6), Baltimore (unemployment = 10.5%), Los Angeles (unemployment = 13.6% and cost of living index = 131.3), and Philadelphia (unemployment = 10.8% and cost of living = 122.8). Their list was based on population growth (= business growth), unemployment rate, median income (= earning potential), and cost of living (= how far your dollar will go).
On the other hand, other companies are noted for actively recruiting and hiring diverse job seekers. Here are some of the companies mentioned by CareerBuilder:
- Catholic Health Initiatives - non-profit in Denver, CO
- American Family Insurance - in 19 states
- Walgreens Pharmacy Stores
- Harris Teeter - supermarkets in N.C.
- Transportation Security Administration - employs 50,000 people from Alaska to Puerto Rico
- Chesapeake Energy - Oklahoma City
- City National Bank - California, Nevada, New York City
- Progressive Insurance - rated Best Place to Work in five of their corporate locations – Austin, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Tampa, and Sacramento
- American Senior Communities - Indiana
- TruStaff - staffing agency currently has 87 active positions throughout several states
