The 9.4 percent May unemployment rate is based on 14.5 million Americans out of work. While both the federal and state government are hoping that rate improves soon, there is the possibility that the current situation will continue for some time.

Companies, however, still need people to ensure they can endure during these tough times. This has led to a surge in the number of contract or temporary positions being offered today.

The ranks of part-time workers have increased by 4.9 million in the past year, according to a May study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. This presents some interesting prospects for job seekers who are willing to forgo the perceived stability of a permanent position for an opportunity to work as a contractor.

Typically a contractor or a temporary worker is an individual who is engaged to do work for a pre-determined length of time, to fill a specific role, or to complete a project with a deadline in mind. Usually an hourly or a daily rate apply, or payment may be made on completion of a specific task.

Job seekers who are having a tough time finding a permanent position in this economy may want to consider the alternative of contract or project work. It may be surprising to some that project work can help job seekers earn income, make contacts and increase their marketability.

Professionals who are trying to land a job may want to pursue project work. According to specialized staffing service Robert Half International, companies that are unable to add full-time employees during periods of economic uncertainty often bring in professionals on a temporary basis, which can translate into opportunities for those who are looking to earn income, make new contacts and enhance their marketability during an extended job search.

The reason?

In the current environment, it can be challenging for businesses to predict their long-term staffing needs. Using project or temporary professionals for high-priority initiatives allows companies to maintain productivity without committing to full-time hires until they are certain those positions are sustainable.

While many people associate temporary work with the administrative profession, opportunities are available in a variety of specialized fields. Companies need highly skilled professionals for a wide range of projects that require differing levels of industry expertise and experience.

Robert Half International recently released a list of the most prevalent project roles in this economy:

1. Credit and collection specialists - companies are working with these professionals to help manage credit risk and collect from delinquent accounts.

2. Staff accountants - businesses need staff members who can perform core accounting tasks, such as maintaining the general ledger system and analyzing and preparing financial statements.

3. Mortgage specialists - fueled by the government's recent Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), many firms within banking and financial services require skilled loan processors, loan servicing specialists and mortgage assistants.

4. Help desk and desktop support - businesses migrating from older operating systems, upgrading desktop systems and implementing a wider range of technologies are recruiting help desk and desktop support staff.

5. Programmer analysts - applications development professionals are being hired to write, test, and debug software applications. The most sought after expertise includes .NET, SharePoint, and Java.

6. Web developers - the rise of social media is contributing to the growth of web development.

7. Bankruptcy and foreclosure attorneys - as the number of consumer and corporate bankruptcies and foreclosures continues to increase, many law firms are expanding these practices.

For job seekers who are looking for full-time employment, it is important to note that many jobs that start as a project role may turn into a full-time position. Businesses frequently draw from the ranks of their temporary staff when making new hires, since both parties have had the chance to evaluate whether the position and the person is a fit.