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WENATCHEE Did you get a job in June? If so, you were one of more than 4,500 workers grabbing a new paycheck as private-business payrolls continued to grow across the state.

If there are roughly five job hunters for every job opening, why do so many employers receive hundreds of applications for every job posted? The 5-to-1 ratio is widely quoted, usually to illustrate how bad the labor market is.

Job-seekers and prospective business owners should approach today’s tough economy with innovative thinking, passion and a business plan. That’s according to several entrepreneurs and career experts who spoke at Purdue University Calumet’s recent “Working Smarter in Tough Economic Times” community outreach program, co-sponsored by the Post-Tribune and The Times newspapers

Watch WSIL News 3 for ways on improving your job hunting skills.

Good Morning America workplace contributor Tory Johnson answers your job and career questions.

Ithaca Job Corps, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, offers free career technical training for 16- to 24-year-olds in auto mechanics, auto body repair, medical and business office work, C.N.A., L.P.N, construction trades, culinary arts and other fields.

Bess Feil, a colorful business owner who ran Sacramento’s oldest independent job agency for more than 50 years, died Tuesday of natural causes at age 84, her family said.

Novi — After several years of layoffs and cutbacks, Michigan businesses appear to be in hiring mode again. Some 36 companies, including the local offices of General Electric Co., Aflac and software firm ESI, set up recruiting shops Thursday in a job fair at the Rock Financial Showplace.

Job cuts announced by U.S. employers fell in June, a sign companies have enough business to retain current staff levels.

Local employers are more optimistic about hiring, business growth and the economy heading into the summer but say an end to the downturn is still far off.