Both presidential candidates cited the final jobs report before Election Day to bolster their campaigns, one pointing to progress, another to stagnation, CNN reported.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported growth of 171,000 workers in October and the unemployment rate rose slightly from 7.8 percent to 7.9 percent. This is attributable to the fact the more workers joined the labor force and officially count as unemployed, the New York Times reported.

President Barack Obama referred to the report as "real progress," while Republican opponent Mitt Romney called it "a sad reminder that the economy is at a virtual standstill," the Associated Press reported.

When Obama took office in January, 2009, the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent and rose above 8 percent the next month, CNN reported. It remained above 8 percent until September this year, when it dropped to 7.8 percent.

The Times reported that analysts said the report isn't a game-changer in the presidential race, but may provide relief to Obama's campaign heading into the final week.