Chicago Sees 12.5% Increase In Job Listings Year Over Year
Have you noticed more job openings in the Chicago area in the last year? Whether you're looking for a job in nursing or truck driving, chances are you've seen an uptick in job listings in both the cities and suburbs.
According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the Chicago metro area had an online job ad volume of just under 140,000 in March 2013. This figure represents a decrease from the approximately 145,000 job ads listed in February 2013 in the the Chicago metro area, as noted in the IDES report for that month. However, the number of online job ads is an increase of 5.8 percent from the volume reported in March 2012. The IDES defines the Chicago metro area as including Cook, De Kalb, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.
The three-month average of job ad volumes is also showing improvement, with approximately 137,000 ads listed on average. This figure represents an increase of 12.5 percent from the same time frame last year. The IDES report also noted that there were approximately 189,000 seasonally adjusted online job ads posted statewide in March 2013, representing a decrease of 5.6 percent from ads posted in February 2013.
Hot jobs in the Chicago metro area
According to the March 2013 Economic Development report from IDES for the Chicago metro area, computer and mathematical-related jobs are in the top spot, while management, sales, office and administrative, and business and financial operations jobs rounded out the remaining top five occupational groups in the Chicago metro area. Other hot job opportunities included architecture and engineering, education, personal care and legal professions.
The uptick in jobs posted online is good news for job seekers in the Chicago metro area. Barbara Gonzalez, an interview coach and owner of Chicago Interview Coach & Career Services based in Chicago, said she has seen a shift in hiring in the Chicago area. "My clients are finding opportunities and interviewing for jobs. Companies are hiring, but they are still selective," Gonzalez said.
Megan Horst-Hatch is a mother, runner, baker, gardener, knitter, and other words that end in "-er." She loves nothing more than a great cupcake, and writes at I'm a Trader Joe's Fan. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
