Raleigh, N.C. — The number of people looking for work doubled in recent months, but there may be hope. Job recruiters say some companies are starting to hire again.

Greg Bennett, an executive job recruiter with The Mergis Group, helps match highly qualified employees with big-money jobs. He said business has been down about 25 percent with a “mass of candidates” and fewer jobs available.

Now, Bennett  is slowly seeing a change.

“I actually have some clients who have been dormant for the past five or six months ... calling and just saying, ‘Hey, we need several people,’” Bennett said.

While some companies may make the occasional hire in some departments, they are making layoffs in other departments. Despite that, Bennett said he is seeing some change for the better.

“They really are looking for growth,” Bennett said.

Bennett says some companies are looking to the future and bringing in more staff to position themselves for when the market turns around.

Jennifer Howell works with Today’s Office Professionals, which helps connect applicants with clerical positions. Recently, she has seen several companies hiring applicants, especially for jobs in collections.

Overall, Howell said job vacancies have fallen more than 40 percent in the Triangle since the summer.

“I think it I harder to sustain those positions during times when you are faced with economic pressures,” Howell said.

Howell expects hiring to start picking up slowly through the summer.