New Jersey Jobs

New Jersey's unemployment rate remained below the national average of 5.7 percent in July, despite rising .1 percent to 5.4 percent. According to the state's Labor and workforce Development Department, employment figures remained basically unchanged. Only 200 New Jersey jobs were lost during the month between both the private and public sectors.

David J. Socolow, the state's Labor Commissioner, says that New Jersey's situations is only a reflection of what the rest of the nation is going through.

"During the first seven months of 2008, New Jersey's total nonfarm employment declined by a total of 14,100 jobs, or .35 percent, while the nation lost 463,000 jobs, or .34 percent, over the same period," said Socolow.

Jobs in financial activities decreased by 1,300 positions, while the leisure and hospitality industry did away with 1,100 jobs. During the same time, employers in the professional and business services sector created 3,100 new positions.

June's employment figures were also revised during the month of July to reflect the loss of an additional 200 jobs. Overall, the state lost 3,900 positions in that 30 day period.

Unemployment figures for the state can often be conflicting due to the fact that data is collected from several different sources. Adding to the difficulties of correctly figuring out New Jersey's job statistics is the fact that the percentage of the population that have jobs includes those that work outside the state, while the number of jobs considered only include positions listed in payroll data from companies with in New Jersey's state line.

The job situation in New Jersey may soon improve. According to the most recent Monster.com Job Index found that there was an increase in the number of positions posted by employers online during August. Out of 20 different industries, 14 showed signs of recovering as jobs increased.

"Employers are now stepping up their online recruitment efforts in preparation for the fall hiring season but activity in the job market remains muted compared to a year ago," said Jesse Harriott, a vice president at Monster in a recent press release.