Lunch Break: What You Need To Know About Getting A Job This Week

This past week saw the release of the jobs report for the month of July, which means that just three more reports will be issued before Election Day. The July jobs report had information for both political parties to try and capitalize on -- 163,000 jobs were added, but the unemployment rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to make the national tally 8.3 percent. But of course, jobs and economy are to the 2012 election what terrorism and Iraq were in 2004, and what George W. Bush's legacy was in 2008: the biggest issue.

So while these reports are worth following, their influence actually might be waning the closer we get to election day. That's among this week's top stories for those looking to getting a job.

Jobs Stats Fatigue?

Despite the emphasis of jobs reports in the national dialogue, an analysis in the Los Angeles Times by David Lauter argues that jobs stats have "begun to wane in importance." For Lauter, the figures suggest an "economy that is improving but still tepid." And based on past election years, economic trends have less importance for voters late in the campaign, he says, so attention will shift to other areas.

Raises Planned in 2013

While everyone is debating what the jobs numbers mean, a study released by Mercer Consulting found that a resounding 98 percent of the consultancy's 1,500 employers plan to increase salaries in 2013. The companies expect to raise salaries by an average of 2.9 percent, but the raises will be highest among the top 8 percent of earners, who will see a 4.5 percent pay increase.

Study: Where Do Americans Turn For Jobs Help?

A new study released by the Korn/Ferry Institute found that Americans have more confidence in the ability of the U.S. president, regardless of who it is, to create jobs when acting alone than they do in the president, Congress and the Federal Reserve combined being able to control the economy. The level of confidence was 70 percent in the first case versus 55 percent in the second scenario. The survey also found that 70 percent of Americans think companies aren't motivated to hire U.S. workers.

More: 7 Part-Time Jobs That Pay Up To $40 An Hour

Why It's Not Great To Be A Young Worker Now

An analysis by the Wall Street Journal argues that today's young workers (between 18 and 24) have it worse than many of their parents (between 48 and 55) did when they were starting their careers. The reason? Both generations entered the workforce at the time of a recession, but for today's young there is little economic improvement. And as the economy currently stands, "more than half of all college grads under age 25 are either looking for work or stuck in jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree," the Journal quoted several estimates as saying.

The Martian Lift

It turns out we may need to go to other planets to help add jobs. Cutbacks in the U.S. space program are expected to take a toll on Florida's economy, but the launch of the Curiousity rover to Mars is currently supporting 700 jobs, says CNN Money. In total, the program has supported 7,000 jobs over the last eight years.

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• Lunch Break: What You Need To Know About Getting A Job This Week
• Lunch Break: What You Need To Know About Getting A Job This Week
• Lunch Break: What You Need To Know About Getting A Job This Week

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