Even in struggling industries, pockets of opportunity exist. Consider: Financial job board eFinancialCareers.com reported last week that Wall Street firms have posted 54% more sales-and-marketing openings than last year at this time.
Or look at retailing. A new study by workforce-management software maker Kronos shows monthly hires bouncing back from their recessionary lows, and suggests that the retail industry could make a "significant recovery" in 2012.
Some of the job growth is behind the scenes. The New York City design department of Wisconsin-based Kohl's Department Stores, for instance, manages 13 designer brands and has just announced its third expansion since 2007. The office started with 30 employees and now has 140. "I've got clients who have moved into retailing from other businesses like publishing," says Hellmann.
"It's still a buyer's market, but the opportunities are there if you look for them," he adds. So by all means, start looking.
Talkback: Have you changed jobs recently? If you're a hiring manager, are you currently aiming to fill more openings than six months or a year ago? Leave a comment below.