More economists are optimistic about job growth this year, and we're not taking temp jobs or minimum wage jobs. There are companies in the Lehigh Valley that are hiring skilled positions.

"Just at LCCC we're seeing an increase in the number of jobs being posted with us," explained Director of the Career Development Center at Lehigh Carbon Community College Tina Moyer.

She says with hard work you can land these spots.

"If you have the skills, the training and or education, there are jobs available, it's just knowing where to look for them."

The biggest industry in the Lehigh Valley is health care, with St. Luke's University Health Network employing nearly 8,900 workers.

"We kind of say a hospital is almost like a small city," said Vice President of Human Resources at St. Luke's University Health Network Rochelle Schaller. "We have every department here so we have our food services department, we have nurses and physicians, we have materials managements, store room drivers."

The organization has more than 400 openings right now. Every one is posted online.

"It's both direct clinical and patient care as well as a lot of the support areas."

With a competitive benefit package and opportunities to advance within the network many employees stay once they land the gig.

"We're very focused on the employees," shared Schaller. "We say it's a family type atmosphere, we're focused on the best patient experience when our patients come in the door."

Experts say you have to be willing to start somewhere. And the way you present yourself does make a difference in such a competitive job market.

"Learn how to market yourself," added Moyer. "Market your skills, target those companies that you think you're a good match with."