On October 4, 2002, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the unemployment rate fell slightly from 5.7 to 5.6 percent. It's the lowest rate since February, indicating that late summer hiring slightly offset layoffs. The rate also fell for August, from 5.9 to 5.7 percent.

According to CBSMarketWatch, economists were surprised that the unemployment rate dropped, as they were for the August rate.

The BLS said that job gains offset losses, for an overall net gain of 711,000 jobs. But nearly half of the gain was because more teens typically go back to work toward summer's end. Total nonfarm employment actually declined by 43,000, after it had increased by 217,000 over the previous four months. The BLS also reported that the number of unemployed persons was essentially unchanged at 8.1 million.

Industries showing September employment gains included

• Federal and state government
• Engineering and management services
• Health services
• Temporary help services
• Finance

The Federal government (excluding postal workers) added 16,000 jobs, mostly because of it's new role in airport security employment. State government added 12,000 jobs, mostly in education.

Services showed a net gain of 28,000 jobs, with engineering and management services (18,000) and health services (21,000) comprising the bulk. Employment in health services has risen by 282,000 over the past 12 months. It's among the few showing average monthly gains in this economy. If you're having trouble finding a job elsewhere, it's a good place to look. Healthcare needs techies just like any other industry, and even more so than some.

Temporary help services added only 2,000 jobs. But net employment in this industry has mostly risen since February (e.g., 51,000 in August), after several previous months of declines. Temps are typically the first to get the axe at the start of bad times. But employers don't have expensive, long-term commitments with temps as they do with permanent employees. So, they're among the first employers hire back, to fill in for laid-off permanent employees. If you're between regular jobs because of the floundering economy, now might be a good time to consider temping to see you through.

Finance added 9,000 jobs, with most of the gain in mortgage banking (6,000). Over the past year, mortgage banking has added 44,000 jobs, likely thanks to the lowest interest rates in years. Finance and mortgage companies need techies too, especially in information technology.

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