The headlines seem to come out every day: another big tech company is laying off big chunks of its staff. But at the same time, the U.S. created more than 800,000 jobs so far this year, and some employers are desperate for workers. If you’re one of the many Americans looking for a new job, but confused about how mass layoffs and a hot labor market can both be possible, you’re not alone. We speak to WSJ reporters Sarah Chaney Cambon and Lindsay Ellis to cut through the chatter of this confusing time. They give us the real economic picture and tell us how job seekers – both new and seasoned – are finding their way through.

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Further Reading

Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom? What’s Actually Happening in the Jobs Market 

U.S. Economy Added 311,000 Jobs in February 

Why the Recession Is Always Six Months Away 

Workplace Report 

Careers Newsletter 

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