(After) Riding It Out

by Paula Santonocito

A volatile stock market gives reason for pause. Is the economy really recovering? Sure, the national unemployment rate has declined slightly, from 10 percent to 9.7 percent, but the number is still high, right?

After a prolonged recession, it's natural, even prudent, to be cautious. However, other numbers suggest the recovery, while not robust, has begun.

Companies are beginning to hire again. Last week's employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) included news that manufacturing added 11,000 jobs in January, the first monthly increase since November 2007. Retail also added 40,000 jobs; health care added 15,000 jobs; and the federal government added 33,000 positions. In addition, temporary workers grew by 52,000.

And every indication is that hiring will continue to pick up.

Consider a survey conducted by recruitment consulting specialists CareerXroads, referenced by the firm's partner Gerry Crispin in his blog post titled, "Let the Good Times Roll." The survey finds 48 percent of companies expect to grow this year. What's more, average anticipated growth of participants surveyed is 29 percent.

Those be noteworthy numbers, folks.