Joblessness Down as Bernanke View of Cyclical U.S. Weakness Wins

Vicki Cook, 52, landed a job two weeks ago at a trucking company after applying for 50 positions in almost four months. “It was a blessing,” said the Okarche, Oklahoma, woman, whose previous job had been eliminated.

For 13 million out-of-work Americans, record spells of joblessness are abating. The median duration fell to 16 weeks in January from 25 weeks in June 2010, Labor Department data show. Fewer people compete for each opening as hiring expands, and persistent long-term unemployment is starting to mend.