It’s a perfect time to go job-hunting in Iowa, according to Creighton University’s latest statewide economic survey. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says the May numbers are looking great, especially for new graduates who are searching for their first jobs, and for other folks too.

Goss says “The Iowa economy continues to move along at a very good pace. The overall index was up again for the month of May.” Creighton surveys business leaders and supply managers every month in Iowa and eight other Midwestern states.

Goss says the results from those respondents in the Hawkeye State are very promising. Goss says manufacturing in Iowa is doing about as well as any other state in the region. He says even the agricultural machinery manufacturing sector is doing very well despite farm income being down. With Memorial Day behind us, Goss says many employers in Iowa are looking ahead to the summer months — and they’re hiring temporary and permanent help. He says the job market looks to be the best for recent high school and college graduates in a long time.

Goss says the employment index is the strongest they’ve seen in more than ten years, which he says will benefit new graduates, those looking for summer jobs and those who are switching companies. He predicts one dark cloud on the horizon though — as energy prices and interest rates remain high, that will “take its toll” on a variety of businesses by the end of summer. Triple-A says the current average price for a gallon of self-service unleaded gas in Iowa costs two-69 — compared to a dollar-97 one year ago.