It’s no secret that times are tough for job seekers. A glance at the monthly unemployment figures bear that out. However, business insiders are quietly optimistic, buoyed by signs of growing strength from 2010 and indications that the trend will continue (if slowly). Things may be looking up for job seekers, especially those who are well-prepared to appeal to companies looking to hire.

An MBA is the degree that is getting employers’ attention in the current job market, according to a recent Fortune Magazine blog post. The expertise that comes with such an advanced degree is increasingly in demand in the business world, which is clamoring for new ideas to help pull it out of the doldrums. Headhunters are actively seeking out people who can move into managerial roles, for which graduate degrees are usually a requirement.

Fortunately, working toward your MBA has become much more feasible in the past few years. That’s not to say that the curriculum is less challenging, but getting an MBA degree online has made it easier to fit an academic program into your schedule. For those already in business, who want to develop their job prospects for the future, making the extra effort is well worth it.

For more recent graduates, it’s important to remember that an MBA isn’t always an automatic ticket to the top. It’s a great way to get in the door, but it has lasting power, too – it can help you as your career progresses, with more advancement opportunities and maximized earning potential.

However, having a strong undergraduate degree to back it up is also important. Schools like Benedictine University offer associate business administration degrees and others that lay the groundwork you’ll need to succeed. The school’s online programs, backed up 120 years of history as a bricks-and-mortar university, are easily adaptable to any lifestyle. Whether the degree you’re seeking is a bachelor’s in management after finishing high school or an accelerated MBA at mid-career, you’ll be able to do the work on your terms and come away with a respected degree.

If you’re starting out, working toward your associate or bachelor’s degree, taking a progressive view of your career is a good idea. Starting out with an associate degree, working and then building education on top of that – particularly if you pursue a bachelor’s or a master’s online – allows you to add practical experience and academic clout to your resume simultaneously.

As businesses grow gradually more confident, it will be reflected in the number of job openings available – and notable increases are already appearing in some fields. Employers will have a wide pool of talent to choose from, and that means that they’ll be able to demand more – in terms of qualifications, education and experience – from applicants. Giving yourself the advantage of a strong undergraduate degree is important, but taking it to the next level with an MBA could make a difference in your appeal to employers now and in the long term.