Blount Job Finder

Wondering who you’re up against for that job interview? Probably half a dozen other candidates.

Congress has approved legislation to restore unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work for six months or more.

WASHINGTON — The Senate has passed a bill restoring unemployment benefits to millions of Americans who have been out of work for six months or more.

Senate Democrats broke through a stubborn Republican filibuster Tuesday and pressed to restart jobless benefits for 2 1/2 million Americans still unable to find work in the frail national economic recovery. The Democrats were victorious by the single vote of a new senator sworn in only moments earlier.

President Barack Obama took aim at Republican lawmakers Monday, accusing them of holding the public hostage to Washington politics by blocking extended unemployment benefits for millions of out of work Americans.

Many agencies were scrambling to provide essential services to keep the jobless afloat, not the least of which are the public libraries, the role of which has been transforming in the last year as a provider and connection to vital information.

WASHINGTON — The White House asserted Wednesday that the $862 billion stimulus law has been even better for the economically-struggling country than previously advertised.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s unemployment rate for June was 10.1 percent, down 0.3 percentage point from the previous month.

The health care overhaul passed earlier this year will help many uninsured get coverage starting in 2014. But until then, Americans who lose employer coverage may find buying insurance on their own unaffordable.

Robert Half gives these tips for managers to enjoy their vacation without worrying about decisions made in their absence.