US Bureau of labor statistics reports 40,000 temporary jobs added in December

MILWAUKEE, USA: ManpowerGroup, leader in innovative workforce solutions, advises job seekers to accelerate their employment search by targeting markets where hiring is strong, responding quickly when jobs are posted and cultivating skill sets in 2014.

Today, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the December jobless rate was 6.7 percent and 74,000 jobs were added across industries. Hiring increased in retail trade and professional and business services, with 40,000 temporary jobs added in December.

"This year, the key drivers of success with a job search are location, timing and skills," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO.

"It's about being in the right place at the right time and having the right skills for the job. In the United States, the larger cities are oftentimes the places to be for jobs, but the challenge for job seekers is to showcase skills that are in demand and, more importantly, act quickly to connect with employers as open positions are often fleeting," Joerres added.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for Q1 2014 reflects continued hiring optimism among employers for the start of the 2014. More than 18,000 U.S. employers report a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent, representing the strongest hiring Outlook reported in Quarter 1 since 2008, when the Outlook was 16 per cent.

"In a normal economy, an increase in hiring is like a tide that rises all boats, but we're seeing a lumpy recovery where hiring in some markets is expected to be up while others are flat. Each market has its own job story, and job seekers need to tune in to local-market hiring trends to be successful finding their next job opportunity. The hiring outlook is clearly more positive; however it's uneven across the U.S.," said Joerres.

In the Human Age, where talent is the major agent of economic growth, job seekers and businesses alike need to embrace flexibility and agility to connect with employment and get ahead of the competition. As talent shortages continue to persist in the U.S., job seekers who unleash their full human potential by seizing opportunities and building their skills have a pivotal role in moving businesses and economies forward.