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Job openings aren't getting any more abundant in North Idaho.

Although more new jobs have been created statewide, the number of open positions in North Idaho have dropped since last year, according to the latest job vacancy survey by the Idaho Department of Labor.

That might mean that more folks are getting hired, said Alivia Body, regional economist with IDOL.

"The (job vacancy) rate could go down if the number of job openings went down, in correlation with employment increasing," Body pointed out. "Or if openings remained the same, and the number employed increased."

Regardless, if you're unemployed, it appears there are fewer pickings in the Panhandle.

According to IDOL stats, the Panhandle's job vacancy rate - the number of job openings to workers - fell from 1.8 percent in 2010 to 1.5 percent this year.

So the number of job openings slipped from 1,370 to 1,144.

It's a darker picture than the one painted for the state. The survey showed that though the statewide vacancy rate dropped from 1.8 to 1.7 percent, 40 percent of open positions were newly created this year. That's double from 2010.

Since the survey was conducted over a brief period this summer, Body couldn't pinpoint why openings have dropped.

But she is optimistic, she said, noting that health care facilities, manufacturing companies and call centers in the region are still hiring.

Job openings increased 72 percent from 2009 to 2010 in Kootenai County, she added.

"Of course there could always be more jobs," she acknowledged. "But I think on an annual basis, it's looking better."

IDOL's survey results were based on responses in May through mid-June from about 3,100 of Idaho's 54,000 businesses.

Kootenai County had 10.9 percent unemployment in 2010, according to IDOL, and 9.9 percent underemployment.

Pinewood Care Center, a rehab and eldercare facility in Coeur d'Alene, expects to have several job openings soon, said Jeanine King, assistant business office manager.

"Once our residents pick up, we always have openings," she said. "And it's progressively going up."

For the last dietary physician opening, she noted, the facility received more than 50 applications. They ranged from all walks of life, including construction workers, truck drivers, house keepers.

"Everybody you can possibly imagine applies," she said.

That makes hiring easier, she added, since folks are willing to do whatever it takes to find a job.

"Follow up," she advised job hunters. "If you hear of anything, go in as soon as possible."

Job seekers at the Department of Labor in Post Falls on Wednesday said they are frustrated over the continued tight market.

Lisa South of Coeur d'Alene said she has been seeking work at a restaurant or office for the past two months, but has come up empty.

"I've seen openings and applied, but no interviews," she said. "I have faith that something will break loose, though. Even if it's some sort of seasonal position over the holidays."

Larry Fox of Post Falls was laid off from his construction job in October and is gearing up for a rough winter on the job front.

"There's just not a lot out there right now," he said. "I keep hoping something will come up. I just don't see a whole lot changing in the near future. It's quiet out there. Too quiet."

Others are more hopeful.

Jim Cline of Rathdrum, who has been out of work for five months, said he recently had an interview with a landscaping firm that performs a variety of jobs over the winter. But he's not giving up on the job search in case it falls through.

"It's good to have a Plan B, C and D in this economy," Cline said. "Nothing is for certain."