I probably could find a job doing something!!!!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0421biz-unemployment0421.html

Jobless rate hits 5-year low Valley employers struggle to attract workers

Craig Harris The Arizona Republic Apr. 21, 2006 12:00 AM

After plunking down $1,000 for help-wanted ads to find workers, Mick Hirko figured there would be an outpouring of candidates looking to get hired at his Tempe-based T.E.A.M. Security.

Plus, he had a nice carrot for new employees: They would have worked at the recent Jimmy Buffett concert. But out of the 30 inquiries, just one person showed up for an interview.

Welcome to metropolitan Phoenix's ultrahot job market.

With the Valley's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at a meager 3.5 percent in March, according to figures released Thursday, employers say they are having a tough time filling jobs. The jobless rate has not been this low since February 2001, when it was 3.4 percent in metropolitan Phoenix, according to the state Department of Economic Security.

"Everyone I talk to is having the same problem," said Hirko, who pays most of his employees $8 to $8.50 an hour. "The low unemployment is making it difficult to hire."

The state's economy added a record 22,600 jobs in March to lower the statewide jobless rate from 4.4 percent in February to 4.1 percent. That is also the lowest rate since February 2001. Among metropolitan areas, Prescott's unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, Tucson's was 3.9 percent, Flagstaff was at 4.5 percent, and Yuma was at 14.7 percent. Yuma traditionally has one of the highest rates in the state because of its heavy dependence on seasonal farmworkers.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate takes into account fluctuations in hiring caused by weather, major holidays, schools and harvests. The government classifies people as unemployed if they are available for work, don't have a job and have actively sought employment the prior four weeks. Employment surveys and jobless insurance claims are key factors in determining the rate.

Across Arizona, professional and business services added 5,900 jobs, the largest growth of any single major industry, according to the DES. The leisure and hospitality industry had a gain of 5,200 jobs for the second-largest increase. The tourism industry, however, is expected to see a decline in employment as Arizona's tourism season slows down.

While tough for employers, the tight market is good news to workers who since last year have seen wages increase on average about 11 percent, said Don Wehbey, state economist. However, he said most of those increases have come at lower-paying jobs in which employers have been forced to bump up wages to keep workers from jumping ship. Employers with higher-wage positions have raised salaries 2 to 8 percent, he said.

"If you have the knowledge and the skills, this is a great time to be looking for a job," Wehbey said.

Sgt. Tony Lopez, a recruiter for the Phoenix Police Department, said his agency and other police forces began seeing a slowdown in applications last fall.

"Historically, when the economy is doing well, it is more challenging to convince people to get into public service," Lopez said.

Lopez said Phoenix, which typically places 20 candidates each month into the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy, filled just seven of its slots in March and 12 this month. The academy typically has 54 class members each month from 35 agencies, but fewer than half of the slots were filled in March and April, according to academy figures provided by Lopez.

"It just shows you that it's not just a problem for the Phoenix Police Department," he said.

Lopez expects the city to fill its slots in May, thanks to aggressive recruiting.

Michael Ratner, owner of Tom's Tavern in downtown Phoenix, said restaurants also are feeling the pinch.

"It's very, very difficult, and when you look at downtown, we don't have the neighborhoods for an employment base," Ratner said. "But there's not much you can do. . . . You scrape everywhere you can."

Reach the reporter at craig.harris@arizonarepublic .com or (602) 444-8995.


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