http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/jobs-now-hiring-s450.pngResilient consumer spending and historically strong demand for workers helped power the U.S. economy to another steady job gain.

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. added 431,000 jobs in March and the unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent in March, according to data released Friday by the Labor Department.

Job growth fell slightly short of expectations, as consensus estimates from economists projected a gain of roughly 490,000 jobs in March and a decline in the jobless rate to 3.7 percent.

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