While many companies decided to look inward to fill job openings over the past two years, a recently released survey indicates outside hires began to pick up once again last year, particularly through referrals and job boards.

The 2012 CareerXroads Sources of Hire survey, which was conducted by a talent consultancy firm, found more than 48 percent of new hires were made through these two outlets, ERE Media reports. Social media, though accounting for only 3.5 percent, can actually be attributed to many more hires than this as the medium can influence companies' decisions without being the main source.

"In many, maybe most, hirings, there are multiple influencers," Gerry Crispin, co-founder of the firm that conducted the survey, told the publication. "The companies are getting better at tracking, but there are more things going on than are trackable."

Other major sources of outside hires for companies included temp agencies, college recruitment, career fairs and print advertisements, the study noted.

Choosing the right candidate is critical when it comes to hiring outside of the company, as this makes it especially important to determine whether the individual is a good fit for the office culture, according to CBS MoneyWatch. 

A massive new open-air outlet mall being built in Glendale will reportedly feature 85 brand name outlet stores and is expected to create a total of 1,600 new jobs both during and after the construction process.

Tanger Outlet Center Westgate, which will be within walking distance of many of Glendale's major attractions, is scheduled to open for business next fall, the city said. The project will create a total of 700 construction positions and 900 full and part-time retail jobs in Arizona once it is completed, reports ABC 15.

"Tanger's new location in Glendale means new jobs, new brand name shopping opportunities for residents and tourists and an increase in tax revenue for the city," Glendale City Manager Ed Beasley said in a release.

The outlet mall, which will announce the specific brands and outlets during the official groundbreaking next month, represents the latest example of the improving Arizona economy.

Just southeast of Glendale, in Mesa, Governor Jan Brewer announced that Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus will be expanded five-fold. The governor noted that the expansion would pave the way for a significant number of new opportunities for green jobs, according to the Tucson Sentinel. 

With fewer banks closing their doors and the stock market steadily rising, financial companies have begun to add more jobs in Arizona and the rest of the country, according to a recent Arizona Republic report.

In Arizona specifically, this job growth can be seen in the multitude of hiring plans that have been announced recently by major companies. Chase, for instance, has indicated it will expand its mortgage business and other areas in the state.

Wells Fargo, the fourth-largest U.S. bank by assets, is reportedly looking to fill hundreds of teller positions and other jobs across the state, a spokeswoman told the news source. Currently, Wells Fargo is one of Arizona's largest employers, with approximately 14,000 workers.

State Farm, Allstate and financial firm USAA have all announced plans to create new positions as well.

"Over the course of 2012, we will be hiring continually to fill positions that are either currently open or will open," Lisa Holmes, executive director of USAA's people-services area, told the Republic. "Most of those roles will be in our insurance-claims and policy-service area."

Through 2020, employment opportunities in management, business and financial operations are expected to climb by 11.5 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Engaging in office politics and forging alliances with co-workers can play an integral role in one's career advancement, according to a new survey conducted by a staffing agency.

The survey, which includes responses from 400 U.S. workers who are employed in office settings, found that a total of 56 percent believe an involvement in office politics is at least somewhat necessary to advance within the company.

With recent hiring trends suggesting employers are placing an increased emphasis on bringing aboard workers who fit into the company culture, it can be essential for both permanent and contract employees to play the office politics game effectively.

In a release, the staffing firm notes that it is important for workers to adjust their messages and work habits for the people around them.

"Smart candidates tailor their message and approach to the audience," the firm says. "Apply the same tactic to your coworkers; observe their unique work styles, priorities and communication preferences – and be willing to adapt your approach."

Adapting to one's environment and fitting into the culture was found to be an important quality for candidates by 79 percent of chief financial officers in another recent survey conducted by a separate staffing firm.

The recent spate of positive reports from the U.S. Labor Department are good news for the entire economy, but temp agencies may be the true "hidden gems" in these trends, according to a recent Forbes column.

Markets expert Abram Brown writes in the article that temporary payrolls have jumped by approximately 48,000 during the past three months, with temporary jobs now accounting for 1.82 percent of the American workforce. While that figure is down from the 10-year high of 1.95 percent in 2005, it represents a sharp increase over the 1.34 percent seen during the worst part of the recession.

The rise in temporary employment can even be seen over the past year, as these contract positions grew by 160,500 from January 2011 to last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment services currently accounts for 3.07 million jobs, the BLS reported.

While U.S. job growth is clearly benefiting staffing agencies, Brown points out that even if employers are wary of the recent positive economic reports, they will likely be more apt to choose contract workers anyway. 

With budget restrictions forcing many companies to do whatever they can to take the risk out of new hires, employers need to consider some important questions when narrowing down the list of applicants, according to a recent Entrepreneur article.

The first major question is how you as the hiring manager know that the candidate can do the job. This can be answered by requesting prior work samples, offering hypothetical scenarios and giving tests to evaluate the individual's skill set.

Determining if the applicant is motivated enough to do the job is another key to making the right hire, the publication notes. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, including by checking references and asking the candidate to rank a group of projects based on which they would most and least like to work on.

Finally, it is important for hiring managers to figure out if the job seeker will fit into the office culture. Allowing the candidate to speak at length about their previous experiences or long-term goals can help interviewers to draw this conclusion.

The services of a Phoenix employment agency or those in other cities can also provide many benefits for companies looking to limit risk in hires. These agencies can pre-screen employees and identify the best potential applicants. 

Positive signs continue to mount for the U.S. economy as the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell to 348,000 in the week that ended February 11, the fewest since March 2008, according to the Labor Department.

Unemployment benefits claims dipped by 13,000 last week, beating even the most optimistic estimates by 45 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. The four-week moving average, which is seen as a more telling indicator, fell to 365,250.

"The numbers add to the belief that the economy is shifting gears," Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors, told Reuters. "There is just no number that is giving us a whole lot of trouble, except for consumer spending."

The Labor Department figures represent another indication that job seekers are increasingly turning to staffing agencies in Phoenix and other cities around the country to find both temporary and permanent positions.

Previously, the department reported that 20,000 contract jobs were added in January, bringing the total to 2.4 million across the country. The benefits of these types of positions are mutual for both the employer and the worker, as they can serve as a trial period for potential future opportunities. 

Employers and hiring managers are increasingly leaning on mobile recruiting to identify the best fits for available positions, particularly considering there are now more than 500,000 apps now available for the iPhone and iPad tablet.

In a recent Fox Business article, Cheryl Casone highlights some of the most effective free apps for aiding the employment search, including Indeed's JobSearch. This application, Casone writes, will automatically remember previous searches and offer the latest additions since the last time the individual logged on.

JobAware, another application for the iPhone, is an excellent resource for professionals who are also enlisting the services of temp agencies to find contract work. This app offers the seeker the flexibility to navigate through these temporary positions or permanent opportunities.

Finally, Casone mentions JobCompass, which utilizes the GPS function on a smartphone or tablet, compiling a map based on your job search criteria. This map can be easily emailed and allows candidates to apply for the positions online.

The emergence of these apps supports recent research from Potentialpark, which found 19 percent of job seekers use their mobile devices for career purposes, with more than 50 percent saying they could imagine doing this. 

While "networking" may be one of the most often used buzzwords when it comes to searching for a job, many professionals mistakenly view it as a chore, rather than something they can enjoy, according to one of the co-founders of LinkedIn.

A recent Mashable blog post highlights some of the most important information in co-founder and chairman Reid Hoffman's new book "The Start-up of You." For instance, he asserts that many professionals compare networking to "flossing," meaning it's important to do but not fun. Hoffman, however, challenges that notion.

"We're not suggesting that you have to be an extrovert or life of the party," Hoffman writes in the book. "We just think it’s possible to appreciate the mystery of another person's life experience. Building relationships is the thrilling if delicate quest to at once understand another person and allow that person to understand you."

Individuals seeking jobs should also be sure to market themselves to Phoenix employment agencies and companies as the best at something, rather than the best at everything, as this will help them stand out, according to Hoffman.

Professionals who utilize LinkedIn during their job search should also be sure to take advantage of the "Add Sections" feature, which enables candidates to post additional information about their background including organization memberships and achievements, career expert Liz Ryan told BusinessWeek. 

While landing the interview and making a good impression are the most important challenges facing job candidates, the simple but important task of writing a thank-you note to prospective employers can actually make all the difference.

Scottsdale career expert Ed Scannell, the author of "The Big Book of People Skills Games," told the Arizona Republic recently that a thank-you note can go a long way toward an employer's evaluation process, particularly if the position up for grabs is customer-facing.

"If a prospective employee cannot take the few minutes to hand-write a thank-you note on nice stationery, then he or she may not necessarily be the best candidate when it comes to common courtesy and good customer service," Scannell notes.

With professionals seeking jobs in Scottsdale and other cities increasingly taking to mediums like Skype to make interviews more convenient, it can be tempting to offer a quick thank-you via the internet. However, a hand-written note is preferable whenever possible, as a Skype chat follow-up can be construed as "intrusive," the Huffington Post reports.

The occupancy rate of the Scottsdale Airpark has reportedly risen to 85 percent with the addition of 10 new companies in the past year, according to KTAR. The site has become a technological center, supporting Scottsdale employment through the addition of a number of high-skill jobs.

Bob Tunis, the city's economic development manager, told the news source that technical companies are attracted to the area due to the deep pool of skilled workers, providing a boost to the Scottsdale economy.

"Nearly everyone there is engaged in design and engineering, and it's because of the expertise they found at the airpark that they decided to locate here," Tunis explained. "The more people you get in a certain technical area, the more companies come in. The more companies come in, the more people come in. And then you end up with a really quality cluster."

Tunis noted that the airpark continues to aggressively pursue new employers, with the high occupancy rate giving the site a competitive advantage.

Scottsdale has seen a number of companies adding new positions in recent months, both in and outside of the airpark. CallSource, a multifamily technology company, recently announced plans to create 40 new skilled jobs in Scottsdale, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. 

When it comes to developing workers, employers often strive to determine what makes each individual worker tick. A new survey shows many professionals care mostly about company transparency and being held accountable in the workplace.

The study, which was conducted by Seattle, Washington-based leadership development firm Fierce, Inc., found many companies need to improve their "best practices," as nearly half of respondents said these guidelines often hinder productivity.

Keeping workers in the loop and seeking feedback and suggestions from these workers was also viewed as significant, as 50 percent of employee respondents said their major areas of concern with their current employer were a lack of involvement and poor overall transparency.

"This survey should encourage managers to question the practices in place, and actively engage their staff in creating new policies that are geared more toward transparency and employee empowerment," Halley Bock, CEO of Fierce, Inc., noted in a release.

Recent employment trends will also impact the strategies employers use to manage their workforce. With contract labor on the rise, a recent Charlotte Observer article points out that managers should allow these employees to build independence and confidence while still offering feedback when needed. 

Professionals who stay on top of the latest hiring trends are aware that LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter are rapidly becoming some of the most effective outlets for finding employment.

Now, it appears that Pinterest, a social networking site that allows users to create and share content through visual pinboards, can be added to this list, particularly when it comes to showcasing a resume.

In a recent Mashable blog post, RezScore co-founder Sean Weinberg notes that Pinterest can be a complimentary option to the other major social media sites. The site's value to job seekers is the ability to share content, portfolio work and resumes, says Weinberg.

"Of course, your resume is a valuable addition, as well as pages from your portfolio, press clippings and accomplishments you can claim," he writes. "Think of your pinboard as a living resume that grows as you grow in the professional world."

Once a job search pinboard is set up, sharing it is critical, meaning employment seekers should include links to it on their websites, business cards, and Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

Pinterest's value can also be seen in its rising popularity, as it surpassed the 10 million user mark faster than any other independent American site, according to digital business analytics company comScore.

Individuals seeking jobs in Scottsdale and other areas of the country have a number of tools available at their fingertips to ensure they explore all possible avenues of the labor market.

Just as LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter may be effective outlets for job seekers looking to network with prospective employers, Google Alerts can help candidates secure relevant information about companies that are hiring.

In a recent Business Insider column, Mona Abdel-Halim, the co-founder of Resunate.com, explains that Google Alerts can allow professionals to learn about new job openings as soon as they are announced.

Employment seekers can also stay on top of the latest industry news, which can be key for those heading into an interview, Abdel-Halim says.

“Have an interview with one of your target companies next week?” she writes. “Sign up for alerts on the company to follow recent news and stay informed on recent happenings at the organization. Not only will it help you learn about the company and its leadership, but it might also aid in identifying your fit within the organization.”

In addition to taking advantage of Google Alerts, checking the websites and following the Twitter feeds of prospective employers can also ensure that the job seeker has access to the most relevant information.

With smartphones and tablets making it easier and easier for workers to telecommute, many employers are tasked with the challenge of getting the most out of these individuals.

A recent CBS MoneyWatch article notes professionals who have the opportunity to work from home are generally happier and are less likely to complain about work-related stress. However, this does not necessarily mean managing these employees is any easier.

The article suggests that training for the specific position be done in person, even if that time is spread out over a number of weeks in order to accommodate both parties. Allison O'Kelly, the chief executive officer of a flexible staffing agency, told the publication that in-person training is necessary to explain the exact responsibilities of the position and the culture of the company.

While training new hires in person can be essential, informal communication strategies such as G-chat and other forms of instant messaging are important in the long run. These tools can help employers effectively communicate any relevant feedback.

Still, there is value in holding periodical meetings with remote workers holding jobs in Scottsdale or other cities around the country, even if these meetings only take place a few times per year, O'Kelly explains. 

While it's no secret that Arizona is one of the major players in the solar industry across the country, a new study provides hard numbers to support this notion and says the sector is responsible for approximately 16,000 jobs in Arizona.

The study, released recently by Elliot D. Pollack and Co., found that solar provides approximately $2 billion to the state's economy. The research is set to be presented at the Renewable Economic Summit and Conference developed by the Pinal Partnership and Arizona Forward, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.

Operating companies such as installers and manufacturers, and construction firms represent the two main groups for job opportunities throughout the industry. While operating solar companies employ more than 5,000 workers in the state, indirect positions from electricians to shipping account for another 9,453, the research found.

New solar projects being developed and companies undertaking expansions in Arizona have allowed the state to close the gap with California, the leader in solar energy across the U.S. The Solar Energy Industries Association notes Arizona's solar capacity climbed from 10 percent of California's in 2009 to 20 percent in 2010. 

Professionals who may be having a difficult time finding ideal full-time jobs in Phoenix or other parts of the country should consider working as a contractor or freelancer, as these positions can lead to future opportunities in many cases.

In a recent U.S. News & World Report article, blogger and recruiting expert Lindsay Olson notes that many companies are hesitant to jump back into permanent hiring, meaning contract workers are becoming more in demand.

While many contract positions pay on an hourly basis, such compensation can often be similar to that of full-time jobs, Olson explains. Freelancing and contracting can also serve as a trial period, allowing candidates to prove their worth while sharpening their skill sets at the same time.

"You'll get to know the right people while working at a company, which will give you an advantage should a full-time role open up," Olson writes. "In fact, many companies use contractors specifically for that purpose: if you're not up to snuff, they simply terminate your contract. But if you do well, a salaried position is waiting with your name on it."

Evidence that contract employment is increasing across the country can be seen in the fact that 54 percent of jobs created through all industries between June 2009 and last November were in temporary help services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While social media has become a critical tool for landing jobs in Phoenix and other cities across the U.S., it is important for candidates to remember that the internet is just a small portion of the overall job search process.

In a recent Mashable column, Tony Morrison, the vice president of business development for Cachinko, wrote that social media is only a portion of the online aspect of the job search, which should account for approximately 20 percent. Networking in person, Morrison explains, can be just as important.

Morrison adds that social media users – specifically on Facebook – should also tread carefully when it comes to what their friends are posting. While it may not seem fair, he notes that a candidate who has friends posting inappropriate or profane comments on pictures can actually derail the individual's chances of landing the job.

Participating, rather than simply observing is also crucial, according to Morrison. This can be especially true on professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, where users can interact with prospective employers and offer their own insight on various discussion topics.

LinkedIn, officially launched in May 2003, currently boasts more than 135 million professional users around the world, according to the site.

A number of recent reports suggest Phoenix employment is on the right track to recovery, particularly in the education and health services sector.

The latest interactive report from the Urban Institute found Phoenix gained 34,200 positions in the field since the end of the recession. The 14.9 percent growth trails only the New Orleans metro area in that industry, according to the Tucson Sentinel.

"In the recovery, there’s been a lot of volatility as we look across metros over time, but this education and health services sector appears to be growing very steadily," Margery Turner, vice president for research at the Urban Institute, told the news source. "Every time period that we look at, we see positive growth."

The field of education and health services isn't the only one adding jobs in Phoenix, however, as one local manufacturer of golf club head covers recently announced plans to bring back a number of positions it took overseas a decade ago.

Daphne's Headcovers, which is reportedly seeking skilled workers, has begun shifting part of its production capabilities from China and Indonesia back to the Phoenix area, ABC 15 reports. 

Contributing to the declining unemployment rate last month was the addition of more than 20,000 temporary jobs, which brought the overall number of these positions to 2.4 million, according to the recently released figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The BLS noted the total number of contract positions staffed through Phoenix employment agencies and those in other cities between January 2011 and December 2011 was 140,400, a seasonally-adjusted increase over initial reports of 42,800, according to Staffing Industry Analysts.

These latest statistics appear to support the notion that temporary or contract workers are becoming the new normal for the labor market. Between June 2009 and November 2011, 54 percent of all jobs created across all industries were in temporary help services, the BLS reported.

"If you look at the bigger picture.. we're moving toward a new reality in the way we work," Kathy Kane, an executive with a staffing agency, told U.S. News & World Report. "A lot of those companies are sitting on a lot of cash, but they're uncertain with economic stability. They're looking at contingent and temporary work as more of a risk-management strategy right now."

Social Job Seekers

Members of Generation X who have lost their jobs and are seeking a new form of employment should emphasize their flexibility and knack for fitting into various corporate cultures during an interview with a prospective employer.

In a compilation of Generation X job search tips from executive recruiters Tucker Mays and Bob Sloane published in the San Jose Mercury News, these employment seekers are encouraged to offer examples of when they enabled younger workers to advance their careers.

With more years of experience also comes the development of a number of core skills that can be transferred to positions in various industries. These abilities include problem solving, managing people, leadership and judgment, the publication notes.

Another thing to consider is that many smaller companies look to hire outside executive-level professionals as they begin to experience growth, meaning these firms can be targeted by Generation X professionals seeking new opportunities.

Many companies, such as Atria Senior Living in Newburyport, Massachusetts, place a premium on more experienced workers due to their strong dedication and reliability, Houma Today reports.

For the fifth consecutive month, the U.S. unemployment rate fell, reaching its lowest level since February 2009 at 8.3 percent, according to the recently released monthly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 243,000 in January, substantially more than most analysts had anticipated. Construction, healthcare, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality and professional and business services were the industries that led the way in job growth last month.

"The national unemployment rate has fallen by 0.8 percent in the last five months," Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in a statement following the release of the report. "The drop in unemployment has been driven by employment gains, not workers leaving the labor force."

In Arizona, where the unemployment rate stood at 8.7 percent in December, a number of companies have recently announced plans to either relocate to or expand in the state. One example of this is technology company CallSource Inc., which tracks specific trends at apartment communities. The firm recently announced plans to add 40 Scottsdale jobs as part of a relocation from California, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. 

With the Labor Department reporting net job gains for six consecutive months, it's clear that many employers are finally beginning to hire more workers to help grow their businesses.

For professionals seeking Scottsdale jobs and positions in other parts of the country, however, the recruiting game has changed substantially. This is particularly true in terms of the amount of information that is available to individuals applying for certain positions, Google hiring expert Bryan Power tells CBS MoneyWatch.

Power notes that focusing the job search on a specific group of companies rather than flooding hundreds of inboxes with a resume is the best strategy.

"The way to think about it is that there's a certain group of companies or specific roles that you're probably really good for, and you want to spend more energy around that smaller group of roles and companies than on trying to make yourself attractive to a wide range of people," Power explains.

Being descriptive about responsibilities and accomplishments on a resume is another way to get the attention of companies, whether this entails listing revenue growth, sales numbers or other production information, according to Power.

One thing that many professionals do not believe they can add to their resumes is volunteer experience, but including such information can demonstrate skills that have been learned or help explain gaps in employment, Forbes reports. 

The bioscience sector in Arizona continued to thrive in the face of the recession and its immediate aftermath, offering many opportunities for professionals seeking jobs in Phoenix and other areas of the state.

In the post-recession period between 2009 and 2010, bioscience jobs increased by 7.4 percent in the state, compared to a decrease of 1.8 percent in overall private sector employment, according to a new performance analysis commissioned by the Flinn Foundation.

The study found that the number of bioscience firms in Arizona grew by 27 percent between 2002 and 2010 and suggested the state outpaced the nation in garnering venture-capital funding and adding bioscience-related positions.

"Through the most trying economic circumstances of our lifetimes, bio in Arizona more than held its own," Walter Plosila, senior advisor to the Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, which conducted the research, said in a release. "The bioscience sector is past the 'promising' stage. It is now becoming integral to Arizona's future."

The report comes as a number of bio startups have recently gained financial backing in the state, including HTG Molecular Diagnostics and Scottsdale-based Regenesis Biomedical Inc., which have both added new employees, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. 

In the latest sign that employment garnered through temp agencies in Phoenix and other cities is becoming increasingly common, a new survey found that 86 percent of Americans believe a temporary job is a smart career choice in order to gain experience.

The study, conducted by a staffing agency, also noted that 63 percent of Americans view temporary employment in a more favorable light than they did last year, a reflection that the labor market is trending towards an increasingly flexible workforce.

One of the most valuable aspects of temp employment for job seekers can be the ability to break into a new industry and get their feet wet at a company. The survey noted that 68 percent of Americans said they would be more willing to take a job in a field outside of their degree than they were last year.

Eric Gilpin, president of CareerBuilder's staffing and recruiting group, said that the economic recovery very much hinges on positions filled through staffing agencies.

"Temporary jobs from staffing and recruiting firms are playing an increasingly important role in the economic recovery," Gilpin said in a release. "Our studies have pointed to a rise in these positions post-recession as companies address growing market needs. Employers are relying on temporary and contract workers to support leaner staffs, and in many cases, will transition those workers to permanent roles."

One of the most critical aspects of the hiring process is making sure the prospective employee fits well into the company culture, and a new survey notes that the candidate's sense of humor is key to making that happen.

The survey, which was conducted by an accounting staffing agency, is based on the responses of more than 1,400 chief financial officers at U.S. companies with at least 20 employees, according to a release. Overall, 79 percent of respondents said employees' sense of humor contribute to their ability to mesh with coworkers.

While a sense of humor may be difficult to judge, candidates seeking jobs in Arizona and other regions across the U.S. can do their part by showing off their personality during the interview, according to Max Messmer, the author of "Managing Your Career For Dummies."

"Job candidates should let their personality shine when meeting prospective employers," Messmer noted in the release. "The interview is no place for a standup comedy routine, but it is the right time to show hiring managers you are approachable and will be easy to work with."

Norm Brodsky, a columnist for Inc. Magazine, adds that hiring for "attitude not for aptitude" can go a long way towards promoting a positive corporate culture, as technical skills can be taught. 

While staffing agencies in Phoenix and other cities can undoubtedly be the driving force behind the hiring process for startup companies lacking recruiting departments, there are still a number of strategies these firms can employ to ensure that the individuals will fit in well within their specific business.

In a recent Mashable column, Chris Rickborn, the co-founder and chief operating officer of a cloud-computing hiring software company, writes that limiting what's said on the job description can make it easier to differentiate between candidates.

"Writing lengthy job descriptions loaded with job requirements may keep unqualified candidates from wasting your time, but you’ve also just given every candidate a cheat sheet," Rickborn notes. "Job seekers are taught to break down your job description and weave it into their resume, which will make everyone look equally qualified."

Rickborn adds that timing is also a key factor, specifically where the potential employee is in his career, and whether or not he or she is able to take a risk with a sprouting business.

One other strategy for finding the best people to fill positions at a startup is to promote the unique benefits that are offered, which could include anything from tuition stipends to cash for customizing one's own technology setup, according to Business Insider. 

A recent ERE Media column suggests evidence continues to point towards temp hiring becoming the new normal for the labor force across the country.

The publication, citing director of macroeconomic research for The Conference Board Gad Levanon, notes that the substantial growth in temporary workers in recent months is a positive sign for the economy as a whole.

The 32 percent growth in jobs secured through temp agencies in Phoenix and other cities across the U.S. since June 2009 would typically indicate an imminent recovery for full-time positions. However, ERE notes in this case, the surge likely marks a structural shift in how employers are managing their workforces.

A report released by BMO Capital Markets earlier this year noted that the staffing industry "is seeing some secular growth as corporations use temporary staffing more strategically as part of their overall human resource policies."

Recent numbers from the American Staffing Association indicate staffing employment grew 4 percent between January 2011 and this month, according to Staffing Industry Analysts. 

With many companies still operating under tight budgets, developing new employees remains a crucial aspect of the recruiting process. Identifying what employees value the most when it comes to job satisfaction can therefore be critical.

In a new survey of a wide range of professionals and managers conducted by staffing services company, employees said that a strong work-life balance and opportunities for growth and learning on the job were two of the most important factors in keeping them happy.

The ability to accomplish specific goals, a camaraderie with one's co-workers and a good working relationship with the boss were also high on the list, the study found.

"Professional priorities change over time," Robert Hosking, executive director of the company, said in a release. "Because there's no one-size-fits-all formula for encouraging job satisfaction, supervisors should get to know their team members individually to better understand what motivates and inspires each of them."

Workers holding jobs in Arizona and across the country can maintain a good work-life balance by managing their boundaries, according to a recent Boston Globe article. This means taking time to schedule activities that are important to you every day, and making sure that you are able to do these things. 

President Barack Obama recently visited the $5 billion Intel chip manufacturing facility being built in Chandler, Arizona, praising the company's efforts to create new jobs in Arizona and throughout the U.S., rather than overseas.

During a speech on the Intel campus, Obama furthered his message of increasing high-tech and manufacturing jobs in the U.S. in addition to improving the educational system to better train future workers, according to the Tucson Sentinel.

"Let's stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs oversees and reward companies like Intel," Obama said, adding that his basic plan is for America to "build stuff, make stuff and sell stuff all over the world."

The president's stop in Chandler was part of a three-day, five-state trip, during which he will reportedly visit Las Vegas, Denver, Detroit and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the news source said.

Apart from recognizing Intel's contributions to the local economy, Obama also lauded Tempe-based First Solar, which is constructing a $300 million manufacturing plant in Mesa that is expected to create 600 new solar energy positions, reports the East Valley Tribune. 

Though it may seem to be a casual, impersonal meeting, a phone interview can actually make or break a candidate's chances of landing a job, according to a recent article in the Boston Globe written by staffing firm partner David Janowsky.

One of the most important things to consider, Janowsky says, is that your appearance, body language and even posture can still be crucial during the interview, despite the fact that the recruiter or hiring manager cannot see you.

"Even though you could be in your pajamas lounging on the couch, wear business attire and practice good posture," Janowsky writes. "You can even sit in front of a mirror and watch yourself. Your professionalism will transmit through the phone."

Avoiding public spaces and ensuring that you are in a quiet environment during the conversation is also key, according to Janowsky. Printing out your resume and a list of potential questions you have is better than having these documents up on your computer, as typing on the keyboard or clicking a mouse could be a distraction for the interviewer.

Since phone interviews can often provide the first step towards landing jobs in Arizona or other regions, it is also important for candidates to spend a sufficient amount of time preparing, treating it just like a normal face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager. 

Approximately 89 percent of new hires who fail within their first 18 months on the job do so for attitudinal reasons, rather than a lack of skill to perform the job functions, according to leadership expert Mark Murphy. 

In a recent Forbes column, Murphy, the founder and chief executive officer of Leadership IQ, explains that this highlights the difficult task hiring managers face of identifying technically qualified candidates who are also highly motivated and possess a positive attitude.

One reason for the discrepancy in why new hires fail is that soft skills and motivation are much more difficult to test for than technical abilities. Additionally, training can be offered for certain operational aspects of a position, but changing a new employee's attitude and level of motivation is much tougher.

Murphy adds that instead of asking vague interview questions such as "tell me about yourself," smart companies are delving deeper into the applicant's mindset, using indicators like verb tense and grammatical choices to make larger determinations about a candidate's potential.

Many executives and hiring managers filling jobs in Arizona and across the U.S. have already begun to implement these techniques. Walter Willey, the chief financial officer of data analysis provider Wave Software told IDG News that he focuses on flexible candidates and likes to observe body language when interviewing individuals.

While many industries continue to see a substantial number of layoffs, the technology sector has bucked the trend with the amount of announced job cuts falling to its lowest level since tracking began in 1997, according to a recent survey.

The report on the technology industry, which was released by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., found that tech firms announced 37,038 planned layoffs in 2011, a decrease of 21 percent from the 2010 level of 46,825.

When compared to recession-era statistics from 2009, layoffs are down 79 percent at computer, electronics and telecommunications companies, the study noted.

"Several trends in the sector, including the advancement of cloud storage and the push to develop more portable computing devices, such as tabs and smartphones, is helping to create and protect jobs in the sector," John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement.

The tech industry added a net total of 300 jobs in Arizona last year, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, told the news source he believes the 2012 outlook for the sector is "very bright."

With surveys suggesting companies and job seekers are both increasing their use of social media for recruiting purposes, filling out one's LinkedIn profile and making connections are only the first steps towards reaping the benefits of the site.

For candidates, updating your LinkedIn profile every few weeks can make a crucial difference, as this indicates that you are keeping up with the site. This can also get you back on the radar of prospective employers that you are connected with, as every update you make is shared with others on your network, CBS MoneyWatch reports.

Joining groups on LinkedIn is also essential, as this suggests you are actively seeking networking opportunities.

"You can add a contact on LinkedIn if you share the same group as them, but you wouldn't have been able to add them otherwise unless you worked with them or have their email address. Make sure the LinkedIn groups are related to your field and/or industry so you can have more targeted searches," Dan Schawbel, managing partner at Millennial Branding, told the news source.

Requesting recommendations from colleagues is another way to get your profile in front of recruiters looking to fill jobs in Phoenix and other cities, according to a recent Forbes article.

As President Obama said recently that he wants to create more tourism-related jobs in Arizona, which has a number of impressive landmarks and state parks, a new report signals the tourism industry has already begun to grow in Scottsdale.

The new data, from STR Global, suggests hotels in Scottsdale saw higher occupancy and revenue in 2011. While occupancy increased 1.5 percent over 2010, revenue per available room – the leading indicator for the hotel sector – grew 8.2 percent, the Phoenix Business Journal reports.

The average daily room rate also increased last year by 6.5 percent, reaching $145.98, the statistics showed.

Information on Scottsdale's hotels was released ahead of President Obama's visit to the Valley on Wednesday, January 25. During the brief trip, the president will reportedly tout his new plan aimed at creating jobs through more international tourism, according to the Arizona Republic.

"The president is creating a task force to promote the best destinations that the U.S. has to offer, and Arizona, with its many natural wonders, from the Grand Canyon to Sedona, could benefit from more domestic and international visitors and as a result, more jobs and a boost to the state’s economy," White House spokesman Adam Abrams said following Obama's recent tourism speech. 

While the Arizona unemployment rate remained at 8.7 percent in December, the job market is beginning to show signs of real improvement as it added 37,500 more positions this year than it did the same month in 2010.

Aruna Murthy, a state economist, told the Arizona Republic that the jobless rate is still significantly improved over the end of 2010, when it sat at 9.6 percent. Overall, the average of monthly job gains last year was 1 percent, a sharp increase over the minus 2.1 percent experienced in 2010.

"The trajectory is positive. We are heading in the right direction," Murthy told the news source.

The monthly employment figures, which were released by the state's Department of Administration, indicated the private education and health services sectors continued to lead the way, adding 12,800 positions in December. Leisure and hospitality also experienced an uptick and created 6,400 new jobs in Arizona last month.

Murthy specifically pointed to improvement in bar and restaurant employment, which saw 1,600 new positions created during the final month of 2011, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

Governor Jan Brewer was in attendance for a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the opening of two new facilities that are expected to create a number of new jobs in Arizona, the Explorer News reports.

The new buildings, which include office and laboratory facilities, will become part of the Arizona Center for Innovation (AzCI) at the University of Arizona Science and Technology Park in Tucson, according to the news source.

At the ceremony, Brewer lauded the innovation center, which is designed to boost the local economy and make Arizona more competitive by bringing new technologies to the marketplace and creating jobs.

"The Arizona Center for Innovation is part of the engine that will power us into Arizona's second century," Brewer said. "This is an investment that will bring novel technologies to the marketplace, create high-wage jobs and expand and diversify the economy of southern Arizona."

The opening of the new facilities in Arizona comes as prospects for the nation's overall labor market appear to be brightening. The Labor Department reported jobless claims dropped substantially to 352,000 in the week ending January 14, falling to their lowest level since April 2008. 

With professionals holding jobs in Arizona and other regions increasingly looking to other areas for potential new opportunities, employers are becoming more willing to pay their workers to relocate, according to a new CareerBuilder survey.

The survey, which garnered responses from more than 3,000 employers and 7,000 workers, found 44 percent of employees said they would relocate for a new career opportunity. Of professionals who have been successful in finding new work after being laid off, 20 percent said they relocated to a new city or state.

From the employer perspective, 32 percent acknowledged they would be willing to pay to relocate staff this year, according to the study.

"One of the key trends we saw coming out of the recession is the movement of labor in and out of markets across the U.S.," Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. "Workers have had to expand their job search geographically and employers in need of hard-to-find, skilled talent have had to recruit across state lines."

A willingness to relocate can also be beneficial information to add to one's resume, as this demonstrates the job seeker's flexibility and commitment to the available position.

Arizona residents are growing increasingly confident in the local economy, a sign that hiring could experience an uptick in the first few months of 2012.

The latest edition of the Behavior Research Center's Rocky Mountain Poll shows consumer confidence among Arizonans reached 69.5 this month, marking the third consecutive monthly increase. Last January, the index was 62.8, according to the poll.

Arizona State University economist Dennis Hoffman told the Arizona Republic that optimism among local residents has climbed in the face of a number of potential obstacles.

"The Arizona consumer has been remarkably resilient over the past year," Hoffman said. "Despite threats of a Euro implosion, the debt crisis and the negative banter that always accompanies political campaigns, the actions and outlooks of Arizona consumers continue to improve."

The higher confidence index is partly a reflection of consumers' views that more jobs in Arizona could be added in the near future. In fact, the Center's Expectations Index – which measures the perception of business conditions – reached 94.5 this month, its highest reading since July of 2007. 

An Arizona-based voice over IP (VoIP) service company is reportedly planning to expand its operations throughout 2012 and create at least 100 new Scottsdale jobs in telecommunications.

Nextiva, which is headquartered in Scottsdale, said in a recent release that it is seeking to become one of the fastest-growing companies in the Valley this year. The firm plans to more than double the size of its Scottsdale operations, which currently hosts 120 employees.

Yaniv Masjedi, Nextiva's vice president, said in the release that the hiring plans are a result of increasing demand for its virtual and mobile phone service.

"At Nextiva, providing amazing service to our customers is part of our DNA," Masjedi explained. "Whether providing technical support for a business owner or helping new customers provision their communication service, our commitment is to have the right people available to service all of our customers' needs."

Nextiva's expansion in Scottsdale is latest indication that the tech industry is growing throughout Arizona, as skilled workers such as software developers with knowledge of scripting languages and programming are also in high demand, according to the Arizona Republic.

While securing an interview for potential jobs in Phoenix or other cities is a critical first step for applicants, meeting with the recruiter or hiring manager can often make the difference in landing the job.

For this reason, it's important for candidates to be able to determine what the recruiter's questions really mean below the surface, according to Jayne Mattson, senior vice president at a career management and consulting firm in Boston, Massachusetts.

Writing for Mashable, Mattson says the question "How do you like to be rewarded for good performance?" may seem simple, but there are actually a number of layers. In this scenario, the hiring manager is really looking to determine what motivates the individual applicant. If the candidate is seeking a management position, the answer to this question may demonstrate how one might reward good performances from his or her subordinates.

At the other end of the spectrum, the questions the job seeker asks his or her prospective employer can be just as important, as well-informed inquiries may show the recruiter that the candidate put a lot of preparation into the interview, according to U.S. News & World Report.

In another sign that the job market is finally beginning to experience measurable growth, the average starting salary for 2011 college graduates with bachelor's degrees was 2.3 percent higher than it was for the class of 2010.

The overall average starting salary for 2011 graduates was $41,701, an increase of nearly $1,000 from last year, according to the winter 2012 Salary Survey report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Degrees that experienced some of the highest salary boosts included computer science (4.1 percent increase), business (3.8 percent) and communications (2.9 percent). Graduates in engineering ($61,872) and computer science ($60,594) saw the highest average starting pay.

"Graduates in the engineering and computer science disciplines fared best in terms of overall average starting salary, and computer science graduates saw the largest overall increase," Marilyn Mackes, executive director of the association, said in a release.

Data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests graduates with advanced degrees including doctoral or professional who hold jobs in Arizona and other regions of the country generally earn at least $1,000 more per week than those with little or no college education. 

Home improvement retail company Home Depot announced recently that it plans to hire 70,000 contract workers for the spring season, with 1,000 of these positions coming to locations across the Valley.

The retailer is reportedly adding the jobs in Arizona and throughout the country to prepare for the home improvement and spring planting push that will begin as the temperature begins to rise, ABC 15 reports.

"It’s very weather driven," Melissa Dieckmann, an operations manager at a Phoenix store, told the news provider. "Our garden department is one of the departments that has the most increases in sales."

While the job openings – which are reportedly available at all 26 of the retailer's locations throughout the Valley – are only temporary, each contract worker will be guaranteed a position for at least four months.

Such temp employment also offers employees a chance to prove their worth to the company, potentially leading to permanent opportunities with Home Depot, according to the news source.

This concept is becoming increasingly commonplace among global corporations, as they believe a contingent workforce can better equip them to adapt to changing consumer demand. While enabling professionals to "try out" for a full-time role with the company, such a labor force also allows employers to hire on a project-to-project basis. 

Employee wages for jobs in Phoenix grew faster than the national average during the second half of 2011, according to the most recent installment of the quarterly PayScale Index.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Index showed Phoenix wages increased by 1 percent when compared to the same period in 2010. The national average was an increase of 0.8 percent, the report found.

Katie Bardaro, the analytics manager for PayScale, told the Phoenix Business Journal that steady compensation growth in the Phoenix area has occurred for more than a year.

"Since mid-2010, wages have been on the rise in Phoenix," Bardaro said, adding that the region has had further to climb due to the particularly strong impact of the housing market collapse that began in 2008.

Nationally, the PayScale Index showed positive news for wages in the construction industry, which experienced its largest quarterly growth since the recession at more than 1 percent between the third and fourth quarters. Manufacturing and transportation compensation also proved strong at the end of last year, the report indicated. 

With the solar industry continuing to flourish and adding a significant number of jobs in Arizona, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently toured a solar plant in Gila Bend that will reportedly create thousands of jobs.

The Solana Generating Station, which is being planned by Spanish company Abengoa Solar Inc., will reportedly provide 280 megawatts to Arizona Public Service, enough to power 70,000 homes, according to The Associated Press.

The plant will likely create a number of permanent positions when it becomes operational, while 1,600 positions will be added during the construction phase, the news source reports.

Following the tour, Salazar met with various business leaders and representatives of the energy sector, noting that he would tell California Governor Jerry Brown about the many Arizona businesses looking to sell renewable energy.

The Interior Secretary noted that he and President Obama are focused on the development of renewable energy projects on public and tribal lands, according to the Arizona Republic.

Efforts to promote employment in the solar industry in Arizona have been very successful, as the Solar Foundation ranked the state third in the nation in such jobs. 

Contract employees across the country are reaping the benefits of companies seeking to optimize their workforce by making it more flexible.

With various studies suggesting this shift towards a flexible, contingent labor force is expected to continue through 2012, professionals who may be unemployed are turning to temp agencies in Phoenix and other cities, which can place them in positions that match their skill sets.

A recent Chicago Now blog post emphasizes the true importance of temporary jobs, as these opportunities can give individuals hands-on experience with companies in a variety of industries. This allows contract workers to not only pad their resumes, but also to prove their value to the corporation with the goal of landing a permanent position.

This benefit is clear, as multiple surveys indicate temporary positions lead to permanent roles nearly three-fourths of the time, Florida Today reports.

"What we have seen is that those positions lead to full-time roles,” said Bill Peppler, managing partner at a Florida staffing firm, tells the news source. "The first people they go to are the people who have worked for them in the past."

With employers looking to make the perfect hire and many utilizing staffing agencies in Phoenix and other cities to identify the best possible candidates, job seekers need to be able to market themselves successfully.

A scarcity of opportunities for many individuals over the past few years has inevitably led to increasing popularity of non-traditional employment, which can be difficult to explain on one's resume.

In a recent Business Insider column, career expert and blogger Amanda Abella notes that one of the best ways to market the valuable experience gained in an unconventional position is to emphasize transferable skills. Fundraising for a non-profit could speak to one's marketing or sales abilities, Abella explains.

Abella adds that using clear, concise language on a resume to demonstrate the value of the entrepreneurial experience can be beneficial for obtaining jobs in Arizona or other areas of the country.

"Resumes are not autobiographies; rather, they should be a marketing tool to help you get a job," Abella says. "For this reason, it’s okay to get a little creative while staying honest – especially if you come from a non-traditional line of work."

Job seekers who have taken non-traditional positions to serve as a bridge to their next profession should be encouraged by recent labor market reports suggesting the unemployment rate has fallen 0.6 percent since August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Integrated information and communications technology solutions provider Logicalis, Inc. is reportedly planning to create jobs in Arizona through the opening of a new facility in Tempe.

The Farmington Hills, Michigan-based company's new office will reportedly house a number of departments, including structured cabling, physical security and audio-visual, according to a press release.

While there are 60 current Logicalis employees moving to the new location in Tempe, the company is also planning to hire a substantial number of new workers including account executives, voice and networking engineers, cabling technicians and technical consultants.

"The new building we are opening in Tempe symbolizes much more than a new address and a name change," Terry Flood, president and CEO of Logicalis, said in a statement. "It symbolizes Logicalis’ commitment to our people, our customers and the community in which we have made these acquisitions and is representative of the consolidation of minds and talent that bring Logicalis’ services to market in a unique and powerful way."

The move marks the company's second expansion in the past month and fifth in the past year, the Phoenix Business Journal reports.