The Help-Wanted Index...

I read an interesting article in Slate about the correlation between the health of the job market and the number of help-wanted ads placed. The theory goes that the more help-wanted ads that are placed the lower the unemployment rate will be. Except for the abnormal job market in the late 1990's, the Help-Wanted Index has been fairly accurate. It's been shown to be a good leading indicator of unemployment as it takes a few weeks after a help-wanted ad is placed for someone to respond, get interviewed, and get hired. Of course, the index is currently at its lowest point since the early 1960's.