WHERE ARE THE JOBS? WHERE ARE THE JOBS? FORECASTS FOR REBOUND: Map shows the latest outlook for all 50 states and 384 metro areas, by job sectors. LOOKING FOR A JOB?: Try our Quick Job Search widget powered by CareerBuilder. JOB SEARCH HELP: Videos from career counselors provide advice WASHINGTON (AP)  The tally of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time in five weeks as the job market remains sluggish, and a gauge of future economic activity rose modestly in August, suggesting that slow economic growth will continue this winter. Initial claims for jobless aid rose 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 465,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. Many economists had expected a flat reading or small drop. RECOVERY WATCH: Tracking the economy JOBS OUTLOOK: Latest data for all states, 384 metros Initial claims have fallen from a recent spike above a half-million last month. But they have been stuck above 450,000 for most of the year. Claims typically fall below 400,000 when hiring is robust and the economy is growing. The four-week average of claims, a less volatile measure, declined 3,250 to 463,250. That's the lowest level since the end of July, but down by only 4,000 since January. Initial claims, while volatile, are considered a real-time snapshot of the job market. The weekly claims figures are considered a measure of the pace of layoffs and an indication of companies' willingness to hire. New requests for jobless benefits have fallen sharply since June 2009, the month the recession ended. They topped 600,000 at the end of that month. But most of the decline took place last year. Economic growth has slowed considerably since the beginning of the year, and many employers are reluctant to add new employees. The economy grew at a 1.6% annual rate in the second quarter, an anemic pace that isn't fast enough to reduce the jobless rate, now at 9.6%. Growth in the current July-September quarter isn't expected to be much faster. The number of people continuing to receive jobless benefits fell by 48,000 to 4.49 million, the department said. But that doesn't include several million people who are receiving unemployment aid under extended programs approved by Congress during the recession. The extended benefit rolls rose by about 200,000 to nearly 5.2 million in the week ending Sept. 4, the latest data available. The Conference Board said its index of leading economic indicators increased 0.3% last month after rising 0.1% in July. The index had grown steeply starting in April 2009 thanks to a comeback in the stock market, record-low interest rates and the rebound in manufacturing. But the rate of increase leveled off this past summer as U.S. economic growth slowed. Some analysts are worried that the economy could fall back into recession. The Conference Board says the index is not currently predicting another steep downturn in the U.S. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more