Employer-Paid

New Jersey officials say the unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent in December, to 9 percent.

While employers continue to struggle finding qualified workers for skilled positions, 32 percent say they are willing to pay for relocation expenses in 2012, according to a nationwide study by CareerBuilder.

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plummeted last week to 352,000, the fewest since April 2008. The decline added to evidence that the job market is strengthening.

According to two independent surveys commissioned by Grant Thornton, executives are becoming more optimistic regarding the economic outlook for U.S. businesses, despite the problems in Europe and growing concerns from China.

U.S. factories are roaring back from the depths of the recession, cranking out more machinery, vehicles and energy.

Base pay raises for sales personnel are expected to return in 2012, according to the findings from the 2012 Sales Compensation Trends Survey, by the Alexander Group and WorldatWork.