New jobs, unemployment both edge up
The fact that we've seen, finally, some job growth no thanks to the Bush administration and the unemployment rate also rose just shows that not everyone who is without a job is always counted in the unemployment numbers. Many people have just given up and are consulting or are employed well below the salaries they expect and/or need: I remember a story a year ago (maybe in the New York Times?) of the professional with two degrees working at the Gap folding sweaters. According to this Wall Street Journal story (subscription required):
The Labor Department said Friday that nonfarm payrolls soared by 308,000 in March from February, the biggest monthly gain since April 2000, at the height of the stock-market bubble. It also revised upward the tally for January and February, showing total job creation in those months of 205,000 instead of the previously reported 118,000.
The unemployment rate, which is derived from a different survey than payrolls, rose a tenth of a percentage point to 5.7% as 179,000 people re-entered the labor force in search of jobs.
...Mr. Kerry released a statement after the report was released, saying that "After three years of punishing job losses, the one-month job creation announced today is welcome news for America's workers. I hope it continues."