Jump in Minnesota online job ads may signal warming labor market

Minnesota employers signaled stronger demand for workers last month.

The number of job ads posted on websites like LinkedIn jumped by nearly 11,000 in February, the Conference Board, a national research group, said Wednesday.

Only a handful of states produced a greater number of online job ads, said Steve Hine, Minnesota's chief labor market analyst. Employers are likely anticipating a thaw in the weather and cranking up hiring, especially in weather-sensitive industries like construction, he added.

"As a leading indicator this does bode well for job growth in the coming months," Hine said.

Nationally, demand for workers in transportation, health care support and office work increased last month, the Conference Board said.

For every 10 positions posted online in Minnesota last month, there were about 12 unemployed people. Nationally it was more like 21 unemployed people for every 10 jobs.

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