Shecky’s

It’s officially 2011, and for all of those who were hit hard by the economic crisis of the past few years (who wasn’t?), Recessionwire has some good news. Apparently, more jobs are becoming available, and higher paying ones at that! Best New Year’s present ever? Stay positive, readers.

It’s been three years of some rough stuff, but Americans are starting to report that when they’ve changed jobs, it’s been for something better paying or a higher-level position, according to a report from Experian Simmons.

According to the research firm, 6.5% of those who changed jobs in the last year moved into a better spot. No, it’s not much, but it turns out that moving up has never been something experienced by the majority of the population. In January 2008, when the economy was still mostly strong (the official start of the recession came in December 2007, but took months to ripple through the general economy), 9.9% of Americans said they had moved into better jobs in the previous year. The latest figure is also up significantly from April’s 4.6%.

Some further “good” news, that just 2.4% of Americans who switched jobs in the last year moved into lower level or lower paying positions. Bright side.

We’re not jumping up and down about any sort of real recovery yet, and the current unemployment and new-jobs numbers (9.8%; a mere 39,000 new jobs) indicate a seriously bleak backdrop. Which lends a sort of cognitive dissonance to Experian’s claim that slightly more Americans are starting to look hopeful about job opportunities (8.2% compared to 6.6% in July). But let’s take the good news where we can.

-Laura Rich for Recessionwire.com

Recessionwire is a user’s guide to change. We look for the upside of down times, offering positive, practical advice about work, fulfillment and how to live well for less, plus personal essays, humor and cultural insights.

GIRL TALK TIME: What are you looking forward to in 2011? Will you change jobs or careers?