Who Is Hiring?
By: Brian Mooar, NBCNC
Updated: April 6, 2012
The service industry is seeing a boom in hiring, evidence that employers are getting more confident about the future.
If you're looking for good economic signs, take a look at your local restaurant. Help is wanted again.
The toughest job in America, finding a job, is getting a little bit easier.
Ask Mary Frances Slattery. "When I first got out of school it was, it was very hard to find a job and I had to kind of settle for something less than what I wanted," said Mary Frances Slattery, Manager, Johnny's Half Shell.
Now she's managing a restaurant across the street from The U.S. Capital.
Johnny's half shell opened as the economy was tanking, and based on his customers, owner johnny fulchino sees reason to be optimistic - and to hire. "There's been a significant difference in the last two years - especially this year - where you're seeing more tourists feeling comfortable they can travel," said Johnny Fulchino Owner, Johnny's Half Shell.
In the first three months of the year , the economy added an average 245,000 jobs a month, pushing the unemployment rate to a three-year low of 8.3%.
The biggest rebound in the service industry, restaurants ,hotels, and retail. "What they're seeing is that many of our shoppers are confident right now in going to the stores, buying more, spending more on discretionary merchandise and that's helping as well," said Ellen Davis, National Retail Federation.
What's not helping is the rising price of gas, making it harder for Americans who are working to keep what they make.
Later today ... President Obama will sign the jobs act - designed to give a boost to small businesses


