[olrtex]

“This figure includes retail hiring for the Holidays, underscoring just how terrible this number really is.”

Don’t seasonal adjustments smooth that out? Also, if the seasonal adjustment assumed more seasonal hiring than occurred, wouldn’t actual conditions be better than these figures show?

[Rational Thought]

Here's what I've found so far pertaining to seasonal hiring;

Employment in the private service-providing sector rose 65,000 in November, though retail hiring fell a surprising 28,100 despite expectations of a busy holiday season.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40489270