Private sector hiring plunges

(CNN)– Many job seekers are having a tough time finding a place to pick up a paycheck.

Private-sector hiring collapsed last month, according to payroll giant ADP.

The findings show an increase of roughly 77,000 jobs in February.

That is down from the previous month and about half the amount expected by many economists.

Officials at ADP say a drop in consumer spending and uncertainty about national politics played a factor causing many companies to ease up on bringing in new staffers.