Dayton Business Journal...
Ohio unemployment falls to 7.7%
Friday, March 2, 2012 

Ohio’s unemployment rate fell again in January as the number of employed people went up, the state reported Friday. 

The unemployment rate dropped to 7.7 percent in January, down from a revised 7.9 percent in December, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services    . In January 2011, the unemployment rate in Ohio was 9 percent. 

January’s improvement came as the 32,800 people picked up jobs, the state said. The number of employed Ohioans increased to about 5.13 million last month. 

The increase is significant because the state’s falling unemployment rate has been aided by more people leaving the work force. Last month, the unemployment rate fell thanks in part to 3,300 people giving up looking for work. 

The biggest gains occurred in the leisure and hospitality industry and education and health services sector, which gained 6,800 and 6,000 jobs, respectively, the state said Friday. 

Charlotte, N.C.-based Robert Half International    , a specialized staffing firm, monitors the drop in the unemployment rate by the number of people using its service. 

Stefanie Nemitz, branch manager of the Dayton office, said the pool of candidates is slimmer than in years past. 

“Two years ago, we had so many people pouring in the doors,” Nemitz said. “Now, people are finding jobs more easily.” 

She has noticed an uptick in hiring in particular in tax preparation, billing, administrative and reception jobs. 

“Companies are to the point their business is picking up. Now it’s time to bring back individuals,” Nemitz said. 

Ohio’s unemployment rate was lower than the U.S. rate, which dropped to 8.3 percent in January. 

County-level unemployment data is scheduled to be released March 9. 

The Dayton-area unemployment situation in December fell to 8.2 percent, down from 8.3 percent in November. 

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