Jobless rate suggests more Minnesotans are looking for better jobs

Students relax
Students relax during a break at the Minnesota State University Job and Internship Fair in Brooklyn Center, Minn.
Jeffrey Thompson | MPR News 2015

State economic officials say Minnesota employers added 1,300 jobs in March, even as the state's jobless rate increased to 3.2 percent. The unemployment rate rose just 0.1 percent as more people started looking for work.

State officials say the numbers suggest Minnesotans may be looking for better job opportunities.

"Unemployment insurance claims remained steady last month — in spite of the rising unemployment rate," said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove in a statement. "This suggests that Minnesotans may be looking for better employment opportunities."

February's lost in jobs were revised by about 1,000, leaving the state with a loss of 7,800 jobs that month. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. The unemployment rate and job counts are based on two separate surveys.

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