IT may seem ironic that at a time when several companies are contracting, there is still a steady stream of job advertisements in the local newspapers.

But pick up a copy of the Sunday papers and you will see pages of advertisements for a myriad of job vacancies.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security conducted a hot jobs survey which revealed some interesting findings. The jobs that were “hot” for the last quarter of 2009 include managers, teachers/lecturers, sales representatives, practical nurses, baby-sitters, housekeepers, accountants/auditors, waiters/waitresses and sales representatives.

The management personnel required was in the fields of human resource, operations, marketing, communications, hotel and project management. Teachers were needed for mathematics, English language, Spanish, French, chemistry and human and social biology. Lecturers were required for the disciplines of psychology, anatomy, law, hospitality, tourism and communications.

With the abundance of workers who have been relieved of their jobs, some have not been able to secure other jobs as they are not willing to consider a career change. For instance, you may have been a human resource manager for years and by way of redundancy, you have been separated from the post. Why not consider lecturing the subject at a tertiary institution? The same can be said of an accountant who is good at mathematics, with the shortage of math teachers around, you may consider offering your skills in the education system.

A change of career will require, in some instances, specialised training and qualification. Enrolling in a teacher-training institution may be an option. So the marketing manager whose job was made redundant and who was always fond of languages may want to enrol in college to learn how to be a teacher of Spanish or French.

A good administrative assistant who has reached the pinnacle of his/her career may want to pursue a course in marketing or communications, so that if and when an opening comes along within the organisation, he/she is in a position to make a bid for the post.

The smart job-seeker must study the job market and see what are the most advertised jobs out there, get the requisite qualifications and put in an application. Remember that if you do not have a ticket, you do not have a chance. Some people back off when they read an advertisement that asks for five years experience, when they recognise that they only have two years experience. Don’t be intimidated by the ideals posted on a job vacancy .The recruiter is well aware that there is no ideal candidate, so go ahead and apply.

Human resource managers must be cognisant of the fact that in the flood of applications will be persons who are considering career changes and so you will see some teachers who have completed degrees in marketing, operations or project management and who want to break into the corporate world. Who else has a knack for managing projects than a teacher?

No matter what is happening in the job market, there will always be buyers and sellers. So if your job as bank teller or as an air hostess of 10 years has left you, working as a sales representative may be a viable option.

The ancillary worker who lost her job may want to train as a practical nurse while the bearer may want to consider the hospitality field and pursue training as a waiter. Some of these jobs offer opportunities for overseas employment. The former housekeeping manager may want to set up a business to train and place housekeepers and baby-sitters.

A word of warning though, beware the bogus employment agencies. Call the Ministry of Labour to make sure the agency is duly registered.

So yes, there are job opportunities in the recession time. However, it may mean that as the times change, you will have to change in order to exploit the opportunities.

Wayne Powell is a human resources professional of more than 10 years. He may be contacted at crisscounsellor@yahoo.com.