Job Outlook: Washington, D.C.

Both the government and professional services industries continued to provide the largest increase in Washington D.C. jobs in March.

According to research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the area’s workforce increased, on an annual basis, by 22,500 positions that month. Despite this increase, the city's jobless rate went up slightly from February's 3.3 percent to 3.4 percent.

Although this is significantly lower that the national unemployment rate, it is up a full half a percent from that of March 2007 when only 2.9 percent of the population was unable to find work.

The government sector was responsible for the creation of 11,300 jobs in Washington D.C. where as the professional and business services industry, which includes everything from accounting to legal jobs, added 11,100 new positions. Balancing gains were several sectors which felt the need to do away with many jobs in Washington D.C.

Most likely effected by the nationwide housing market slump, the natural resources, mining and construction industry did away with 5,900 positions. Also cutting the number of individuals employed in the area were several financial activities companies, which as a group did away with 4,800 Washington D.C. jobs.

Since government jobs seem to be the most stable in the area, those looking for employment might want to check out USAjobs.com. All positions with the various federal agencies are posted on this site where users can upload their resumes and have them sent directly to hiring managers.

At this time there are over a thousand Washington D.C. jobs listed on the site and positions are available at every level from retail trainees to chief financial officers.