Job search 101: back to basics

From the Examiner | Sept 16, 2009

Sometimes a job search can get overwhelming and take ahold of you
emotionally and sometimes physically. Sticking to your guns and
focusing on your goal is very important. There are several basic job
search fundamentals that you should try to adhere to get that next job:

1)Network, Network, Network -
This can't be stressed enough. More times than not you are going to
find that next job opportunity and land that much awaited interview via
good old-fashioned networking. Hit up old coworkers, industry friends,
family, friends, ANYONE that you have a relationship. You never know
who might be able to help you out in some fashion. If you don't think
you're all that great at networking, grab a book or two on networking 101

2)Craft the BEST RESUME-
Or maybe several versions for that matter. With so many people looking
for work, employers now have the upper-hand and can easily just move to
the next resume if they catch any errors at all. So pull up your resume
on your computer and polish it up and update. Send it to several
friends and colleagues to look it over. The more eyeballs reading it
over the better.

3)Appropriate follow-up -  Do follow up immediately after the interview with a quick email. Do send old-fashioned personally typed snail mail thank you letters. Do say in the thank you correspondence that you'll follow up in "x" amount of days if you don't hear anything from them.

4)Freelance/Temp Work
- There are all kinds of freelance and temporary opportunities out
there, possibly even in your industry, or at least using some of your
skills. Search Craigslist for opportunties in your industry. Do you have a special skill or craft (ie. painting, yardwork, computers?) Put that to work to earn some money.
The point of the story is get busy and stop sitting around looking for
jobs all on the computer. If/when you do get interviews, people are
going to ask you what you've been doing with your time. I know this
from personal experience.

5)Stay active -
Volunteer. Exercise. Walk your dog. Take advantage of nice weather and
get out and about. Otherwise you will get down both emotionally and
physically.