IDES reports 210,700 job openings online in February

Median earnings between $10 and $48 an hour

Local data shows growth

[March 15, 2014]  CHICAGO — In February, Illinois employers advertised online for more than 210,700 individual job openings, according to the independent Conference Board and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Eighty-five percent of the advertisements were for full-time work.

The advertising reflects help-wanted activity for newly created and replacement positions. The actual number of openings exceeds 210,700 because some industries, such as construction, typically do not advertise online.

"These help-wanted ads represent real opportunities for Illinois workers and show that Illinois' economy is growing," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. "The dignity of work is available to those who are prepared to succeed and who show employers why their skills and work ethic will help a company grow."

Statewide, the five top advertised positions in February were truck drivers, 9,063; registered nurses, 4,732; retail salespeople, 4,186; first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, 4,078; and marketing managers, 3,704. The median hourly wage for an Illinois truck driver is $20.57; for a registered nurse, $31.34; retail sales worker, $9.85; first-line supervisors of retail sales worker, $17.03; and marketing managers, $48.78. Typically, the positions include some benefits, such as health insurance, paid sick days and vacation.

Included in the data are more than 130,000 positions advertised on Illinoisjoblink.com. IDES operates the state's hiring board. Job seekers can build multiple resumes to emphasize different skills and experiences. Business owners can use keyword-matching technology to search resumes and find the best candidate. Illinoisjoblink.com is free for workers and employers. It compares favorably with private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars. No-cost HR recruitment services for employers and workers are available at the website and at 877-342-7533.

Using Illinoisjoblink.com to apply for jobs or record other work search efforts can ensure ongoing eligibility for current and future unemployment insurance benefits.

The Conference Board collects the data on the online help-wanted ads. The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association. The data measures new, first-time jobs listed online and jobs reposted from the previous month on Internet job boards, corporate boards and smaller, niche websites.

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Help Wanted Online Data for Economic Development Regions - February 2014   (PDF)

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]