If you’re looking for a job, there may be reason for optimism.

Staffing industry experts say the job market is beginning to pick up, offering new opportunities across multiple industries.

Evelyn Sirena, managing director of the Top Prospect Group, said employers are actively hiring in several fields, including health care, information technology and retail, with manufacturing also showing signs of growth.

“There are several types of opportunities in various industries,” Sirena said. “A lot in health care, a lot in IT. Retail and manufacturing are starting to pick up.”

Sirena works to connect employers with qualified candidates and help job seekers secure positions. She said one of the most critical steps in the process is tailoring a resume for each job application.

“With AI and all of these tools companies are using, it’s very difficult for them to find good candidates,” Sirena said. “They’re actually weeding out good candidates because not all candidates know how to write strong resumes.”

Staffing agencies like Sirena’s helped Ruben Germosen land a job at Con Edison in about a month. Before that, Germosen said he struggled to make progress on his own and frequently encountered job scams.

“They’ll say they’re going to give you a $25,000 bonus or send you a check, but first they ask for your Social Security number by email,” Germosen said. “From my experience, that’s not how legitimate employers operate.”

Experts say job seekers should take a strategic approach by defining long-term career goals and working to build relevant skills beyond submitting applications.

“Think about what you really want to do long term and work on those skills,” Sirena said. “That could be through online courses, colleges, universities or trade schools.”

Sirena also emphasized the importance of networking and building professional connections while using multiple outlets to search for jobs.