U.S. staffing and jobs services companies’ shares were little changed on Thursday, after a government report showed employers cut jobs for the sixth straight month, but unemployment held steady. For the entire article go to topix.net

I suppose there are no surprises that the job market is on the decline. Few are astonished there are layoffs. The only real concern is how bad will it ultimately be? So I guess the fact that the loss of jobs is not as bad as some may have expected is good news. That is the bad news isn’t quite so bad, so that makes it good news.

Confusing? Just try to figure out the economic trends,if you want to be confused. We realize that some businesses are flourishing at the moment while others are troubled. Companies, more than before, are committing to preemployment screening programs and background checks. Some American companies are making money by taking advantage of the weaker dollar and exporting goods around the world. Whether this is the hint we Americans will implement even more home grown manufacturing and production remains to be seen.

But the fact that staffing service stocks held firm in a pretty lousy stock market, says something for the long term prognosis. If nothing else, there is faith on Wall Street that this too shall pass. Eventually. And so, unlike the tech stocks, the airline and financial stocks, staffing companies are retaining their value. Not too bad.

In some cases the businesses they service are requiring the staffing services to conduct the background checks. So if your are in employment services, don’t be surprised if this requirement becomes more common place.

Meanwhile, for what jobs you do have open, check them out before you hire. It makes perfect sense.