Initial jobless claims slightly rise

Preliminary unemployment data shows that jobless claims have slightly risen in the past week. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in the week ending April 13, 2013, the figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 352,000 – an increase of 4,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 348,000.

While these numbers are still being fully formed, economists and hiring experts are trying to determine, in light of the recent dip in the stock market’s condition, if the job market is poised for a downturn.

“Businesses at least need the workers they have and probably could use some more,” Tom Simons, an economist at Jefferies LLC in New York, who projected claims would rise to 350,000, told Bloomberg. “Claims will probably stay in this range for some time.”

According to the Department of Labor, the four-week moving average for unemployment claims was 361,250. While numbers are still being adjusted, these figures could indicate a high percentage of recent out-of-work professionals hitting the market and looking for new employment opportunities.

As a staffing professional, this might be a good time to review clients’ needs to determine if some of the sectors showing a recent downturn feature a few strong potential candidates. With so many jobs on your desk, your cutting edge recruiting software can help you track these workers as they enter different companies or work their way through the hiring process with one of your clients. Thoughtful consideration and the means of tracking these individuals will allow you as a staffing professional to know when to pick one worker over another.

Among the recently unemployed, a recruiter may find the ideal candidate who is experienced in all the right protocols and features the right background.