According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), US unemployment is now down to 7.6%. While the stock market would have liked to have seen more job creation in March, the US economy seems to be hanging on. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported that economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the fourth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 46th consecutive month. Their Employment Index registered 54.2 percent in March, which is 1.6 percentage points higher than the 52.6 percent reported in February. That makes March the 42nd consecutive month of employment growth amongst US manufacturers.
Salaries continue to rise, and college educated employees are seeing a significant increase in employment opportunities. Companies are having to be more generous again with relocation and benefits in order to attract and retain the talent they need to reach their 2013 goals.