Unemployment hit 8.5% according to the latest figures from the US Department of Labor. And most experts expects the job market to remain tough for job seekers through early 2010. That said, there are still pockets of positive activity in the job market, and we are even starting to see some hopeful signs for a broader recovery in the daily drum beat of bad news. Larry Summers, Director of the White House Economic Council, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal last weekend as saying, “You couldn’t find any sprouts of green. Now while the statistics remain very mixed, you can find some sprouts of green.” Okay – great! But where, exactly, are these “sprouts of green”?

I live in St. Louis, MO, and this Sunday, the St. Louis Post Dispatch ran this article: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/C762D9A074D22A03862575950002DECF?OpenDocument

From the article, here is a break down of some interesting numbers:

Nearly half of laid-off workers have found jobs

A look at the job hunt

— 49 percent had landed new jobs.

— 49 percent of those were earning less money than before their layoff.

— 38 percent of those with new jobs are employed in a different field.

— Workers between the ages of 35-44 are most likely to find new jobs.

— Workers between the ages of 18-24 are least likely to find new jobs.

— Companies are more likely to hire an unemployed man than an unemployed woman.

— One-sixth of those with new jobs are getting higher pay.

— One-sixth had to relocate for a job.

— One-sixth are working more hours.

So – there is some hope. And – the local article included some information confirming that some local organizations are hiring. The keys – health services, and high skill jobs are easiest to find. Career Builder includes information about 10 companies currently hiring, and the focus was on health services and insurance. So – where’s the green? It’s exactly where we expect it to be – health care. IT, insurance and high skill positions. So what does this mean for people currently looking for jobs?

1. It is about connections and contacts. In truth, it always has been about connections and contacts, but that is especially true is this highly charged and highly competitive market. In the St. Louis Post Dispatch article, Centene Corp. Chief Administrative Office Carol Goldman said applications are running about 300 for every single opening. I’d be surprised if it’s a lot different at most organizations. So – it becomes even more important than ever to give hiring managers a reason to talk to you, and the best reason is because someone they trust brings your interest forward. In other words, you need connections as a mans to improve the odds from 1 of 300 applicants to 1 of 6-7 who will be interviewed.

2. Be flexible! You may need to look in a different field (38% of recent hires found jobs in different fields,) and you might need to relocate.

3. Keep your skills up-to-date. If you need a degree, a certification or special training to move to the top of applicant lists, this is a great time to upgrade your credentials.

What are you doing to stand out in the crowd? Drop us a comment, and let us know!