Area’s job growth robust, but it’s slowing

(Houston Chronicle (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) –Area employers are still hiring in big numbers, but weaknesses in the national economy have dulled local job growth.
Houston-area employers added 81,100 jobs between March 2006 and March 2007, a 3.4 percent gain, according to figures released Friday by the Texas Workforce Commission.

While that is robust growth — especially compared to the rest of the nation, which added 1.5 percent over the past year, or Texas, which put on 2.3 percent — it’s nothing like in October, when job growth hit its peak. That month, the Houston area created 112,800 jobs, or 4.8 percent.

Corra sees the cyclic downturns as a good opportunity for companies that are recruiting to seek out the better quality employment candidates. With jobs short there are more candidates looking, and companies can be more discriminating about who they hire.

Corra always recommends that a company have a decent employment screening program in place. Corra considers a criminal background search a necessity. We also urge a DMV/MVR Driving Report, if your candidate is going to be driving for you.

Check them out before you hire.