by Julie Desmond

Do you hear that? Sounds like cheering to me. Assuming those shouts of joy are not aimed at any of our local professional sports teams, there must be something else to cheer about. And so there is. People are getting hired. More than last year, more than last month, my phone calls and emails are heavy on interview and salary questions and lighter on how to file for unemployment.

Who is hiring? Look for industries with upheaval; any company desperately trying to recreate itself in the wake of economic chaos is going to be forced to change out its staff. The obvious first places to look are in banking and healthcare; looking a little deeper, positions in eldercare, information technology and, yes, retail, are beginning to show up on the job boards. Manufacturing seems to be lagging behind and might depend on government intervention before it takes off again.

Where are the jobs? In the course of economic recovery, companies will tread softly and risk as little as possible. But they do need staff, so contract or temporary positions abound. A good employee who gets their foot in the door through a temporary position is two steps ahead of those coming in off the street. A temp position is a try-before-you-buy situation and a winning solution for employers and employees alike: the employee is free to look for other positions while earning his living, and may have access to internal postings that outsiders are not privy to. He also has an opportunity to shine in front of a wide range of hiring managers without the pressure of an interview. And if the job or the manager or the position is intolerable, the employee can walk away with no love lost.

How do I make it happen? Apply for positions that make the most sense for you, regardless of whether they are temporary or permanent. Don’t get hung up on growth potential or eternal happiness right now; just get to work. Keep your networks working for you by letting people know you are eager to be working, and flexible about what you will do. Actively helping others will get people thinking about you and always pays off in the long run.

Prepare well for your interviews: know the company you’re going to interview with; read and study the job description and know which qualifications you have, as well as which ones you’re missing. Expect questions like, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and formulate answers around the job requirements rather than on personal traits. For example, mention that you are proficient at Excel but need to learn more about Access rather than telling the interviewer you’re great at golf but you are late for everything. The point is, interview smart and remember, your weaknesses don’t have to be personal. And thank every interviewer every time, of course.

Your primary objective has to be getting your foot in the door. Whether the job is part-time, full-time, temporary or permanent matters far less than the fact that you are working. Negotiate a fair wage, do your best work and be someone people enjoy working with. This doesn’t mean you’re the entertainment committee or that you have to prove anything; rather, be a few minutes early rather than late, be genuine and make friends with the people around you, temps and perm employees alike. If people like you and your work, they just might let you keep coming back. And that is definitely something to cheer about.