On the face of it, the U.S. job market has looked pretty stable this year. But underneath the headline numbers, the job market is sending mixed and confusing signals. Normally, the American labor market looks either good or bad. But Americans who have lost their jobs – or are seeking to bust into the job market for the first time – are struggling to catch a break. Economists have used the term “no hire, no fire” to describe the unusual job market conditions.