By Timothy R. Homan March 9 (Bloomberg) — Job openings in the U.S. rose in January for a second consecutive month, signaling employers are gaining confidence as the economic recovery takes hold. Openings increased by 193,000 to 2.72 million, the Labor Department said today in Washington. The figures indicate that the world’s largest economy, which expanded in the second half of 2009, is poised to add workers after payrolls dropped less than anticipated last month. Nonetheless, the labor market will take time to overcome the loss of 8.4 million jobs since the beginning of the recession in December 2007. “The labor market is improving notably,” Dean Maki , chief U.S. economist at Barclays Capital Inc. in New York, said before the report. “Indicators continue to point to a solid recovery in the U.S.” economy, he said. The rate of job openings in January climbed to 2.1 percent, the highest level since February 2009, from 1.9 percent the prior month, according to today’s report. The separations rate, which includes dismissals and those who quit their jobs, held at 3.2 percent. Payrolls fell by 36,000 last month after a 26,000 decline In January, according to Labor Department figures released on March 5. The unemployment rate unexpectedly held at 9.7 percent and has not increased since October. Job Cuts Some companies are still trimming payrolls. American Airlines, the world’s second-largest carrier, said last week that it will eliminate jobs for 230 baggage handlers, ramp workers and cargo employees nationwide. The reductions at American, a unit of AMR Corp., will begin March 13, spokeswoman Missy Latham said in an interview. Other businesses plan to resume hiring. Accenture Plc, the world’s second-largest technology-services provider, which plans to boost payrolls by about 50,000, with as many as 9,000 jobs being added in the U.S. by the end of August. “We are seeing a very broad uplift globally” in demand, John Campagnino , director of worldwide recruiting, said in a March 3 interview. He said the trend “brings us right back to the pre-recession” levels. To contact the reporter on this story: Timothy R. Homan in Washington at thoman1@bloomberg.net
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Job Openings in U.S. Climb for Second Month as Employers Gain Confidence
