Unemployment Numbers Impacted by Hurricanes and Strike Activity

 

On November 1st, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% for October, with the addition of just 12,000 jobs—a figure tempered by the effects of two major hurricanes and a strike. Economists, who had anticipated a subdued but higher gain, were caught off guard by the final number. In fact, a Reuters poll had predicted a net gain of 113,000 jobs, which would still have marked a slower pace than previous months.

In late September, Hurricane Helene hit the U.S. Southeast, followed closely by Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida’s Gulf Coast, adding disruption to the job market. The employment data revealed notable sector-specific trends: Healthcare added 52,000 jobs, driven by an aging population and high demand for home health care. Government employment continued to grow, adding 40,000 jobs. However, temporary help services saw a sharp decline of 49,000 jobs, and manufacturing dropped by 46,000 positions—primarily in transportation equipment manufacturing, largely impacted by the strike. Construction saw little change, with a modest gain of 8,000 jobs.

Employment Impact:

Employment remained stable in other major industries, including leisure and hospitality, retail, oil and gas, and financial activities.

At Patrice & Associates, we are witnessing strong demand from companies seeking top-tier talent, from entry-level management to the C-suite. Many employers are increasingly relying on recruiters, as traditional job boards are proving less effective. In today’s competitive job market, passive candidates—who are often already employed—rarely browse job boards, and job postings tend to draw high volumes of unqualified resumes, adding to the burden on internal HR teams.

Our team at Patrice & Associates offers a proactive, strategic approach. With a skilled network of recruiters, we engage passive candidates and apply specialized industry expertise to connect companies with ideal candidates. By providing a carefully vetted selection of high-caliber candidates, we help companies save time and resources, increasing the likelihood of successful hires. Even in a market with limited job creation, partnering with a dedicated staffing firm is essential to finding the right match for critical roles.

Interview with Brian Miller, CEO of Patrice & Associates

Interviewer: Thanks for joining us, Brian. Let’s dive right into the recent job market report. What’s your take on the October numbers, given the impact of hurricanes and the strike?

Brian Miller: Absolutely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% in October, but the addition of just 12,000 jobs was surprisingly low. Two major hurricanes—Hurricane Helene in late September and Hurricane Milton in early October—definitely had a dampening effect, along with strike activity, particularly in transportation equipment manufacturing. These factors were significant enough to pull the numbers below economists’ expectations, which Reuters had pegged around a 113,000 gain. So, it was a challenging month, to say the least.

Interviewer: It sounds like there were some standout trends in particular industries, though. Can you tell us more?

Brian Miller: Certainly. Healthcare was a bright spot, adding 52,000 jobs. This is largely driven by our aging population and the strong demand for home healthcare services. Government employment also continued its upward trend, adding 40,000 jobs. On the other hand, temporary help services took a hit, losing 49,000 positions, and manufacturing declined by 46,000 jobs—mostly due to strike activity in transportation equipment manufacturing. Construction remained pretty stable, with a small gain of 8,000 jobs.

Interviewer: Were there industries that saw little to no change?

Brian Miller: Yes, several major industries were largely unaffected. Leisure and hospitality, retail, oil and gas, and financial activities all showed little to no change in employment. This stability reflects underlying strength in those areas, even amid broader market challenges.

Interviewer: How do these trends impact Patrice & Associates? What’s the demand like for recruiting services right now?

Brian Miller: Great question. Despite slower job creation overall, we’re actually seeing high demand from companies looking to secure top-tier talent, from entry-level management roles all the way to the C-suite. More companies are turning to recruiters because they’re finding that traditional job boards aren’t yielding the results they need. In today’s competitive market, simply posting a job online and waiting for applicants doesn’t attract top talent anymore. The best candidates are often already employed and aren’t actively looking. Plus, companies are overwhelmed with unqualified resumes, which creates additional work without the desired results.

Interviewer: So, how does Patrice & Associates help companies navigate these challenges?

Brian Miller: Our approach is very proactive. At Patrice & Associates, our team of recruiters doesn’t just wait for candidates to come to us—we go out and find them. We leverage our networks, engage passive candidates, and use industry-specific expertise to identify the right people for the right roles. Our recruiters bring a curated selection of high-caliber candidates, which saves companies time and resources, and greatly increases the chances of finding the perfect fit. Especially in a market with limited new job creation, having a dedicated staffing partner can make a huge difference.

Interviewer: It sounds like your team is really helping to address the pain points in hiring. Any final thoughts for companies looking to fill key positions?

Brian Miller: I’d say, even in a tight job market, finding the right match is crucial. Companies don’t need more resumes—they need the right candidates. At Patrice & Associates, we’re here to be that bridge, bringing value to the entire hiring process and ensuring that our clients connect with top talent, no matter the market conditions.