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What does a normalizing job market look like?

Jul 30, 2024
Economists say the supply of jobs and workers is coming into better balance than during the labor shortages of the pandemic.
From May to June, little changed in terms of job openings, layoffs and quits. Take a birds-eye view though, and the labor market has slowed in the last year.
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Health care openings still hot amid cooling job market

Jul 9, 2024
People who left during during the pandemic are still being replaced. Providers struggle to fill the gaps as demand steadily rises.
Demand for workers is still strong in the health care industry, partly driven by demographic aging.
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Job openings fell in July in a promising sign for soft landing

Aug 29, 2023
Federal data also shows fewer people quit last month, bringing rates back in line with pre-pandemic levels.
Job openings decreased in July and were revised down for June.
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March jobs report shows more signs of cooling labor market

May 2, 2023
The number of openings decreased for the third straight month in March, but it’s still historically high.
While there were still nearly 9.6 million job openings in March, that's the third straight month of decreases.
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Job openings fall in a possible sign of the elusive "soft landing"

Apr 4, 2023
Fewer job openings in normal times might be not great news, but right now, it is — cautiously speaking — a good sign. 
Workers moving into jobs in hotels and restaurants could be a sign that the economy is rebalancing.
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The job market cooled in January — that's what the Fed's been hoping for

Mar 8, 2023
There are fewer job openings and fewer people are quitting jobs — signs that the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes are working as intended.
Job openings fell about 49% in construction, according to the recent JOLTS report. There were also fewer openings in accommodation and food services, and in finance and insurance.
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As the job market cools, "job churn" is leveling off from historic pandemic highs

Feb 1, 2023
The more people switch jobs, the better the odds anybody can find a better one.
The number of job openings increased in December. But the rates at which people quit their jobs – and at which companies hire – have been stagnating over the last few months.
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Job openings are still near record highs — and still outnumber applicants

Jun 1, 2022
There are almost two job openings for every unemployed person.
There are almost two openings for every unemployed person. That's good for workers but may be stoking inflation.
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What's helping drive wage increases for low-wage workers?

May 3, 2022
In some sectors, like leisure and hospitality, workers have been quitting and changing jobs, allowing them move into higher-paid positions.
Wages for jobs like cooks, waiters and hotel clerks rose more than 8% in the first quarter of 2022 from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Despite near-record high job openings, workers of color or those without higher education are still at a disadvantage in the job market.
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