A bright outlook for jobs in 2008
Despite slow job growth due to trouble in the housing, credit and stock markets, experts say the job market is doing all right. Bob Moon takes a look at where demand for employment is strongest right now.
A woman takes a file at a job board in Illinois. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
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Scott Jagow: There's been so much fretting about the housing market, and the credit market and the stock market. But one thing that has remained strong is the job market. The latest surveys do suggest people are starting to worry about their job security, but is that concern justified? Bob Moon starts off 2008 looking at that.
Bob Moon: It's a tough job, but somebody's been able to do it -- find a bright spot in the employment outlook for the New Year, that is.
Job placement expert John Challenger says despite all the grim news from the financial sector and a few other stubborn spots, things could be worse:
John Challenger: We've seen job growth slow down in the second half of 2007, especially led by Wall Street and the credit woes, the housing market and automotive. But many areas of the economy are really doing quite well and should continue.
Challenger says some of those areas where workers are most in demand include the health care and energy sectors. And he says there's a strong need for workers who speak other languages and can help U.S. businesses abroad.
He points out new jobs are still being created, just not quite as fast.
Challenger: Job growth has been averaging about a hundred thousand new jobs every month recently. All in all, things are just not that bad.
Challenger concedes he's got his fingers crossed that the subprime crisis doesn't worsen.
I'm Bob Moon for Marketplace.
