The New York Times has an interesting interactive graphic that graphs the unemployment rate separated by demographics. Based on one’s race, gender, age, and education, not all groups have felt the recession equally.

For example, take a look at the difference between the national unemployment rate (the dark blue line) and the unemployment rate of all men and women ages 25 to 44 with a college degree (the light red line).

That unemployment rate is only 4.5%, while the high school graduate unemployment rate is 9.1%, which is higher than the national unemployment average of 8.6%. And of course it’s no surprise that those without a high school level education is extremely high at 17.5% (pictured below).

No high school education

However, the three-month average job-loss trend is actually improving. Take a look at the chart below that shows the slowly improving job loss rate. Each month the loss of jobs is getting less and less.

We show you trends like this to let you know that there are lots of jobs out there and each month more and more people are becoming employed. Don’t let negative press about the unemployment percentage frustrate your job search or freelancing efforts. The job and contract market is still very strong and it is continuing to improve!

CMI Interactive professional business tools for medical professionals.

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