Need for Gigs Increases as California Unemployment Rates Climb

San Diego, CA, November 22, 2009 --(PR.com)-- The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report on Friday citing that from September 2009 to October 2009, the unemployment rate of Californians went from 12.2 to 12.5 percent. The other three states preceding California include Michigan at 15.1, Nevada at 13.0, and Rhode Island at 12.9.

California has lost 687,700 jobs over the year. From September 2009 to October 2009, the West region reported an unemployment uptick from 10.6 to 10.8 percent, reporting the highest jobless rate of all regions. The rate in the West was the highest ever recorded in its series which began in 1976. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia recorded rate increases, 8 states remained the same, and 13 states registered decreases.

Doug Macklem, CEO of GigAlert.com, a new self-funded national gig board to help the underemployed, reacted to this morning’s report:

“Today’s report shows that people increasingly need ways to make ends meet while looking for jobs, or supplementing their incomes after pay and benefit cuts,” said Macklem. “GigAlert.com directly serves the needs of everyone, from the day laborer to the accountant. Through our website, people from all professions can sign up for free profiles to find side work.”

GigAlert.com was launched to help people looking for side work, or “gigs.” After creating a free profile, people looking for gigs subscribe to specific categories, and receive real-time text and Email alerts when gigs become available. Posting and subscribing to gig categories is free. GigAlert.com also provides job listings for companies at 90 percent less than the average job board. Jobs are syndicated to Indeed.com, the largest search engine for jobs reaching over 15 million unique viewers a month.

Macklem started the company after finding himself underemployed. Read more about his personal story on the “About Us” page on GigAlert.com.

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