Temporary working assignments may bring more hope to those looking for employment. If companies can't hire full-time employees, they tend to employ workers on a short-term basis, according to Robert Half International, a staffing service. These opportunities can provide job candidates with income as well as a chance to network and find new contacts.

Robert Half International provides the top project or temporary roles in the present economy:

-- Credit and collections specialists: Deal with credit risk and gather money from delinquent accounts.

-- Staff and senior accountants: Carry out accounting duties like analyzing and putting together financial statements.

-- Mortgage specialists: Handle loan modifications and refinancing, especially due to the recent Troubled Assets Relief Program.

-- Help desk and desktop support workers: Need to help with problems that arise due to changes in IT products and services.

-- Developer/programmer analysts: Familiar with .NET, SharePoint, Java and PHP. Should be able to write code, test and debug software programs.

-- Web developers: Help with the increase of social media. Companies require assistance with increasing their online exposure.

-- Bankruptcy and foreclosure attorneys: Experience with bankruptcy and foreclosure cases for at least five years.

-- Litigation paralegals: Help with investigation and pleadings. More companies need assistance with elements of trial preparation and discovery.

-- Customer service representatives: Assist with keeping a high level of customer satisfaction. They also sell products and services.

-- Administrative health care positions: Familiar with the health care industry. Most requested positions: medical file clerk/scanner, medical secretary, patient registration/admissions clerk and credentialing specialist.

For more information, visit www.rhi.com. Continued...