Unemployment rate shows hope

The unemployment rate is inching closer to 10 percent, however, economists are still optimistic.

Last month, employers slashed 345,000 jobs. But that gives economists some hope that the recession could be easing.

It's the lowest number of job cuts since last September.

The jobless numbers were at the top of the agenda as Vice President Joe Biden met with two of the administration's top economic advisers.

"Behind every one of these job losses is a family, an individual, a community that's trying to make it through the deepest recession in a decade," Biden said.

There are signs of hiring in the healthcare, education and hospitality industries but the jobless rate is expected to top 10 percent before it begins to come down.