John Murray
Agreed, you don't have to trade the release. A good habit is to put the report time on your calendar and decide ahead of time whether you'll sit out, so a burst of movement never forces a rushed decision.
What is the jobs report, and why does the whole market watch it?
Discussion
On the first Friday of most months, the US Labor Department reports how many jobs were added (called nonfarm payrolls), the unemployment rate and wage growth. Strong jobs and fast wage growth can push rate-hike expectations up, and weak numbers can pull them down. This Friday's report covers October. Tip: you don't have to trade the release. Watching how prices react is a lesson in itself.