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While it might not quite be time to pop the bubbly, there's reason to believe that hiring in several key industries will be on the upswing in the first few months of the new year.

The latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey indicates growing optimism among U.S. employers. Of more than 18,000 surveyed, 17 percent anticipated raising staff levels in their first-quarter hiring — the best outlook in six years.

This adds to other upbeat numbers. Last month, the U.S. economy added more than 200,000 jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. The unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level since 2008, to 7 percent.

Overall, things were brighter for workers of all ages in November than in quite some time, says Sara Rix, senior strategic policy adviser at the AARP Public Policy Institute.

Looking at older workers, the November unemployment rate for those age 55 and older fell to 4.9 percent, down sharply from October's 5.4 percent. The rate fell both for older women and older men.

"Fewer workers were unemployed, employed part time for economic reasons or discouraged about their job prospects," Rix says.

While these numbers may be encouraging, workers who remain without jobs continued to struggle, as the average duration of unemployment rose once again. The November survey found that jobless people age 55 and over had been that way for an average of 50.7 weeks, up slightly from 49.7 weeks in October.

That said, don't give up. If you're job hunting, some industries are reporting rising numbers of vacancies. Below are five sectors where you can expect to find openings in the next few months.

Pay will vary depending on the employer, your experience and where you live. The jobs may have flexible hours and be full or part time. Some may require you to go back to school for specific training. But in others, you may be able to repurpose skills you already have.

If you're ready to jump-start your search, be sure to review my list of job hunting mistakes to avoid and ways to improve your LinkedIn profile.

1. Health Care

 The aging population and longer life expectancies are spurring a wide range of health care-related jobs. In fact, for the period 2012 to 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that industries related to health care will generate the most new jobs, 5 million. New ones are cropping up all the time for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s that cater to people in their 80s and 90s. Continue reading…

2. Financial

As boomers slide into their retirement years, they are increasingly seeking help with managing their money, whether it's bill paying or estate planning or choosing the right insurance policy. There is growing awareness that people need to have financial plans in place to help avoid outliving their savings. Continue reading…

3. Leisure and hospitality

Given the snowballing number of retiring workers, there has been an upsurge in demand for travel and leisure activities. So it's not surprising that the Manpower survey found that 23 percent of employers in this field were planning to take on more workers in the first quarter of 2014. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees long-term growth too: about 1.3 million new jobs between 2012 and 2022. Continue reading…

4. Retail

It's not exactly shop 'til you drop, but most experts predict that the rising population will translate to a greater demand for workers in the retail trade. Manpower, for instance, says that 19 percent of retail employers plan to add jobs in the first quarter of the new year. Continue reading…

5. Professional and business services

Jobs in this sector are forecast to grow by nearly 20 percent — roughly 3.5 million new jobs between 2012 and 2022. In some subcategories, the growth will likely be even bigger: Employment in computer and mathematical occupations, for example, is expected to rise 18 percent, spurred by growing calls for network and mobile technologies. Continue reading…

Job hunting after a job loss can be tough. Maybe you loved your old job. Maybe you hated it. Either way, being laid off is a shock.

If you plan a careful job search, you have a better chance of landing a great next job. Follow these tips to make your job search a success.

Be positive. Most of all, don’t feel ashamed or guilty. If you’ve lost your job, you’re not alone. Read these tips for helping you Deal with Stress after a job loss.

Make a plan. A successful job search requires planning and time. When you've been laid off, your first need is often to earn money.  Find out about any Unemployment Benefits you may qualify for, and learn about More Benefits and Assistance . You may also think about temporary work as you keep searching for a long-term position. Visit CareerOneStop's Creating a Job Search Plan for tips on planning a successful job search.

Know your options. When you're laid off from a job, you have experience in a particular occupation. You also have experience in a particular industry. As you look for a new job, you have several options. You can get advice about the best option for you at your local American Job Center . Laid-off job searchers have three basic options when looking for jobs:

- Same occupation, same industry. If this is your goal, you can begin your job search by following the rest of the tips below.

- New occupation and industry, similar skills.  You might decide to try a different type of job that requires similar skills as your former job . Explore this option at Change Careers . You can also visit mySkills myFuture to find new career options to explore.

- New occupation and industry, new skills.  Maybe the time is right to move to a whole new field and learn new skills. Explore this option at Change Careers or Get More Training . You might also want to visit mySkills myFutureto find new career options to explore.

Network, network, network. Talking to everyone you know is key. Read about how  Networking  can help you find and land a job.

Polish your resume. When you apply for a job, your resume is often the only information an employer has about you. Make sure your resume shows why you are right for the job. Visit CareerOneStop's  Resume Guide to get tips and see resume samples to help get you started.

Hunt deep for job leads. Even during a recession, businesses are hiring. But you need to hunt for openings in many different ways. You should use job banks, job fairs, American Job Centers, and your personal network. Here are some ways to get started:

- Learn about using online Job Banks.

- Visit the Employer Locator to look up local businesses. You can also get contact - - information to see if they are hiring.

- Contact a American Job Center for job search help.

- Visit your local library.

Brush up on your interview skills. Visit CareerOneStop's Resumes & Interviews for job  interview tips.

You have caught the employer's attention and they have asked you to come in for an interview. This is your opportunity to show the potential employer who you are and why you are perfect for the job. You can make the most of this opportunity by being prepared, presenting a professional demeanor, and describing your qualifications well.

Preparing for an Interview

A good job interview takes preparation. This can be just as important as the interview itself. 

Research

The best way to prepare yourself for an interview is to research both the company and the position that you are interviewing for. Before arriving, you should know:

• what the company does
• how large it is
• any recent changes it has undergone
• what role you could play in the organization

You can start your research by finding and reading the company's website. Click on the "About Us" link. Sites often include a history of the company and a description of their products and customers. An annual report is also a great source for information on a company.

Review the job description

Read the job description and responsibilities over and over. Make notes about how your experience and skills fit the position. Think of specific examples from past jobs to illustrate how your skills and experience match the organization's needs. This will help the employer to actually "see" you in the position.

The salary question

Know what you are worth

During the interview, you may be asked what salary you are seeking. Do not bring up the salary question in the interview unless you are asked. Be prepared to answer the question with a range, and let them know that it is negotiable. They may be asking you this question to determine if you fall within their range; and that information may be used in making their hiring decision. Make sure that you have all of the information you need to determine what salary range you should ask for.

Practice

Another important step in preparing for an interview is to practice describing your professional characteristics and to practice answering common interview questions. By practicing out loud beforehand when you are not under pressure, you will strengthen your answers during the actual event.

As a starting point, try to respond to the following questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why should I hire you?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a difficult decision you made.
• What did you like most about your last job?
• Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or keep it.
• Describe a time when you encountered a work or school-related problem and how you solved it.
• Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team.
• When responding, focus on subjects related to your professional life, not your personal life.

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer

As a job candidate you also have an obligation to hold up your end of the conversation. You should ask questions that could not be answered through your research of the company or that arose during the interview. 

You can ask these questions during the course of the interview or at the end. Interviewers usually end their part by asking if you have any questions. 

Be prepared with three to five questions. They can be based on the company or the position. Ask them in an open-ended manner, meaning they cannot be answered by just "yes" or "no." Continue reading…

On the first day of the semester, nine people wander into the fine arts room at Lebanon College, taking seats at tables arranged in a rectangle. Outside, the wind pushes dry leaves across the concrete walkway; inside, the students unpack laptops, notebooks, pens and pencils. As a warmup, they each choose a word to describe how they are feeling. Kimberley Wolk is “a little heartsick” because she had to put her orange and white tabby cat, Casey, to sleep that day. Her eyes are sad behind her glasses, and classmate Ashley Dow walks over to hug her. “I love you,” Dow says. A handful of others jump up to hug Wolk, who musters a smile. “OK,” she says. “Go sit down.” They wrap up one agenda item, and Patrick Green, who is running the seminar that week, pauses. “Shall I go on?”

“You’re leading,” Wolk says. “You decide.” “Oh, OK,” Green says, and moves to the next topic. The college is their home base, but the men and women are part of Global Campuses Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to provide advanced learning opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition to the Upper Valley site, known as Shiremont, the Randolph-based organization has seven campuses in Vermont and seven in Thailand, with an eighth soon to open.

Participants design and lead the classes, with coaching from their peers and staff members. They create the course schedule, organize fundraisers, serve on the board of directors, and name their sites — Shiremont is an amalgam of New Hampshire and Vermont. As the semester unfolds, students use feedback from peers and staff members to refine their teaching. Their weekly seminars, such as the one led by Green, include teaching methods and discussions about campuswide concerns. “I think the cellphone thing is kind of an issue,” Dow said during the seminar.