We are drawing towards the end of another year and there is no doubt that 2009 has been tough one for many residents in the UK. Concerns about the banking system and whether our savings are safe, as well as the rise in unemployment have been a challenge but the forecast is brighter.

As already reported on this site, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG there has been a gradual increase in job vacancies being advertised by recruitment agencies in the second half of 2009. This has included the areas of sales and marketing, which are often the areas most affected when companies have to tighten their belts.

The marketing budget in particular seems to get slashed as firms cut their costs, cancel planned marketing projects, impose hiring freezes or worse still make people redundant. This was highlighted at the start of the year with a big downturn in marketing job vacancies being reported by recruiters.

However, the tide seems to be turning with companies now looking to recruit again for their sales and marketing departments. It is a clear sign that confidence in the UK is growing and will hopefully develop as we move in to a new decade.

Whilst the financial sector tends to lead a recovery from a period of recession, there are improvements being shown in the construction industry too. Sales and marketing roles are increasing in this sector, with several new job postings over the past month on this very website.