Finding Work is Hard Work Job losses are hitting young and old, those with college degrees and experience and those just starting out . . . and they show no sign of abating as the economy lingers in a recession. Typical of economic downturns, it is getting harder for many to even get their foot in the door. The length of the average job search is stretching by months.

Engineers, Tech Workers Ratify Boeing Labor Contracts

Nearly 21,000 engineers and technical workers for The Boeing Co., most of them in the Puget Sound area, have approved new labor contracts that will give them more say in the company's controversial outsourcing decisions and the use of contract workers.

Microsoft's Hiring Pace Slows Down

Although Microsoft Corp. has slowed the pace of its hiring, the company still added about 500 employees to its work force in November, according to a spokesman. To put the statistic in perspective, Microsoft's work force grew in August by 1,200. In September, ranks increased by 700. And in October, the company's work force jumped by roughly 1,000.

WaMu Slashing 3,400 Jobs in Seattle

In the two months since federal regulators seized and sold Washington Mutual's banking operations to JPMorgan Chase & Co., WaMu employees have been resigned to the likelihood that thousands of them would be out of work. On Monday, they found out just how many: 3,400 employees, out of 4,300 the company had in Seattle at the time of the takeover.