The Conference Board's Help-Wanted Advertising Index was 82 in July, up from 80 in June. It was 86 one year ago. In the last three months, help-wanted advertising declined in all regions except New
England, where it rose 4.2%. Steepest declines occurred in the East North Central (-9.7%), East South Central (-9.6%) and Middle Atlantic (-9.6%) regions.
The Conference Board surveys help-wanted
advertising volume in 51 major newspapers across the country every month. Because ad volume has proven to be sensitive to labor market conditions, this measure provides a gauge of change in the local,
regional and national supply of jobs.