Economics

U.S. Jobs Come Roaring Back, Surprising Employers and Economists

  • Restaurants and hotels in South strained amid rise in tourism
  • Recent economic data on jobs has surpassed forecasts
Douglas Babcock at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa in Captiva Island, Florida, on April 2.Photographer: Lisette Morales/Bloomberg
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A resurgent job market is creating more opportunities at a faster clip than many economists and employers expected.

What’s more, too few people are applying for positions that are reopening, and that’s setting up a battle for talent. Restaurants and hotels are raising wages, offering bonuses for worker referrals or luring people from other states to cope with the shortage.