Confidence in job market improves

In December 2009, 29 percent expected unemployment to be higher in one year’s time.

Job creation isn’t accelerating despite the 3.2 percent economic growth during the fourth quarter. 

Congress and the White House are hoping that the $858 billion comprehensive tax package passed in December will provide enough incentive for businesses to pick up their hiring. 

Businesses are consistently saying that they intend to add jobs in the next six months. 

According to the poll, 36 percent now expect the employment rate to be lower in a year, the most optimistic result found in more than a year. 

The same number (36 percent) expects unemployment to be about the same in one year’s time, according to the poll. 

About 25 percent say the current job market is better than it was a year ago. In three surveys conducted in 2010, the number who thought the job market was better ranged between 14 percent and 19 percent.

Those who responded that the job market is worse now has dropped to 33 percent, down from 53 percent in March a year ago, whereas 40 percent say the job market is about the same as it was a year ago.