Employers Respond to the Economy   
As economic gloom and doom flow from the mouths of pundits, employers become more hesitant about whom they bring on board.
“They’re being a little pickier because they can be, and they should be,” Elsner says. “I would say that employers are being more selective because they have more available candidates for the jobs.”
In an effort to avoid costly hiring mistakes, companies have definitely become more strategic when hiring and are looking for candidates with a combination of strong technical and interpersonal skills, Wistrom says.
Many companies also are complementing their regular staff with highly skilled temporary professionals, which offers businesses a cost-effective way of bringing together the specialized expertise they need without making a long-term hiring decision, she adds. This method also gives jobseekers a chance to test a company before they accept a permanent position.
The reticence works both ways. People who might otherwise consider a career change are being more cautious; they want to be sure a company is as financially stable as the one they are leaving.

Hot Industries, Cold Industries
The “cold” industries? A no-brainer: construction and mortgage-related jobs. Luckily, the list of shrinking industries is shorter than the list of growing ones.
The aerospace field is “very strong,” Elsner says, and includes everyone from assemblers to accountants to information technology managers.
And the biggie? “We’re still seeing a big demand in the field of accounting,” Elsner adds. “There never seems to be enough accountants available to fill positions.”
Wistrom agrees and says there is a steady demand in Phoenix for skilled accounting and finance professionals, specifically staff and senior accountants with certified public accountant certification and at least three years of experience.
Other in-demand financial jobs include tax accountants, public accountants, financial analysts and operational-support professionals, such as collections, bookkeeping and accounts payable-and-receivable.
There also is a local and regional need for information technology workers. Systems administrators with virtual experience are in strong demand, as are professionals who can help with systems upgrades and the streamlining of server environments, Wistrom says.
Anderson agrees there’s a need locally for experienced IT workers, adding that engineering, computer services, waste management and security businesses also need more applicants.
Health care workers at all levels are in demand, particularly nurses and primary care physicians. It’s a relatively safe career choice since health care seems to be recession-proof. People will continue to get sick, and the Baby Boomer generation is aging.