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According to Marketwatch, 31 percent of employers are expected to hire exec-level positions over the next six months, compared to last October’s 23 percent. If you want to be competitive for these upcoming positions or have another opportunity on your radar, AOL Jobs knows exactly what you should do.

To be the boss in 2012, it’s important to know that you don’t have to stay committed to the same job for decades like your parents and grandparents probably did. These days, flexibility and versatility are important. The Bureau of Labor Statistics observes that the average person between the ages of 18-44 has held about 11 jobs. Contracting and work-from-home jobs are more available. This allows some workers to work several jobs at once as what some call a “patchwork professional.” Freelancing and remote location jobs allow you the ability to have a stable income and the opportunity to expand your career set. Learn from each job you hold and watch your professional accomplishments add up.

If you’re going to be the boss, you can never stop learning. Of course education is important, but aside from the traditional undergraduate and graduate degree, strive to think strategically, and fill in any gaps with training sessions and workshops.

Although big businesses may be hiring, during a recession, small businesses and self-employment will lead job creation. Business start-ups will be the leaders in job opportunities during a recession as big businesses are simply trying to cut cost. Specific industries you should look to are information technology, health care and social services, which offer high growth, salary expectations as well as availability.  Not to mention that laid off workers will begin use their skill set to become freelance workers. Now may be a good time to step out on your own and launch your own business. If you’re not quite there yet, then join a business networking group like SCORE, which is a good way to find a support group for your ideas and ambitions.

More women are filling the job market as well as more women-owned companies. Not only do these businesses create 23 million jobs and almost $3 trillion, they also provide great work environments. Studies show that when women are the leaders, companies are more successful. In addition a woman-owned business is more likely to understand and assist with the multiple needs of a woman attempting to balance work and family.

More on Madame Noire Business!

• How She Made It: Jeri Lynne Johnson, Founder of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
• How She Made It: Alia Jones-Harvey, Producer of A Streetcar Named Desire
• The Career Freshman Part II: Getting To The Next Level in Your Career
• Crisis Management Lessons: Handle Scandal Like Your Name Is Kerry Washington
• About Their Business: 7 Black Female Politicians Who Made History
• Entrepreneur Spotlight: A Sister-Run Business Brings High-End Tea Stateside

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When there’s a chance to learn from the top professionals in the business, it doesn’t hurt to take a moment to listen and apply their advice to your own career. Forbes reports on the leadership insights gained from the IAB AdLab conference featuring over 100 technology and media professionals. The report states that of all the advice given, perhaps the most inspiring piece came from communication pro Sharon Feder.

In just four short years, Feder worked her way up from Assistant Editor at the social media news blog Mashable, to Publisher and finally to her current role as Chief Operating Officer. Although her advancement was no easy task, the secret behind Feder’s ability to transition so quickly, aside from putting in the hard work, is that she always asked herself these two questions: Can I do more? Can I build this?

While the questions may seem simple, her answer and subsequent action created from the questions had her continually pushing. People were forced to take a chance on her. She even sites an instance where her track record of hard work and push to continue to build on her job led her boss to respond to one of her proposals with a simple, “sure, go for it!” When you continue to strive for excellence, people will have faith in you and your abilities. Of course this won’t always come easy, even Feder admits there was a time when she wasn’t always confident, Forbes reports that she learned that she had nothing to lose by exuding confidence and innovation in the workplace. These days with the speed and connection of information in the world, even the top supervisors can’t stay ahead of every business opportunity. If you take the chance to step up and step in where more work can be done, you will only reap the rewards.  So why not have confidence and voice your ideas? What is there to lose?