Steve Baldwin wears his job search on his sleeve.

"I’m a little thinner on top, a little grayer, nowadays; it's been tough,” he said.

Baldwin has searched 20 months for a new gig, and he's not picky.

"I'm looking for something more stable, more long lasting, something to end my career with,” said Baldwin.

Finally, the numbers may be on his side.

"We're seeing a good upturn to what we've seen in the past,” said Bill Dowling, director of the Missouri Career Center in Springfield.

In the center's seven-county area, employers have posted orders for 804 jobs. That's close to double the number from six months ago.

"It's a real improvement to the local economy, regionwide, so it's good to see,” said Dowling.

Kraft Foods is hiring 50 people.

"We also have a lot of customer service jobs, T-Mobile, Wyndham's another 100 jobs right there. Chase is currently hiring,” he said.

Widespread success relies on variety, something the Hot Jobs board is seeing more: mechanics, welders, programmers, those who build, and those with books.

"There's been a little more to apply for, things like that,” said Baldwin.

All Baldwin needs is one out of 804.

"Do you think 2009 is your year?” a reporter asked.

“Knock on wood, I hope so,” he said.

This is not to say layoffs aren't happening. They still are. Dowling says what's different now, from a few months ago, is the attitude. Things feel a bit more positive.