Less than a year ago it seemed that anyone could seek out and ultimately find the job they were looking for. The average Joe could apply nearly anywhere and get hired on within the following week. More recently we’ve begun to hear that unemployment will rise with the financial crises we’re facing. With the economy in a downward spiral and jobs at a standstill, it’s going to be a bit more of a challenge to find that "perfect" job.

There are certain approaches that have proven effective for job seekers. One is to consider yourself the decision-maker in the process. Your first order of business, then, is to develop a list of potential companies that you would consider "hiring" as your employer. Companies that make it easy to apply, of course, and offer positions that you could do well in, are the first ones you need to find out about.

The new hiring process

CTS International is a good example of a high-tech recruiting and engineering support services firm that has had an efficient, effective online application process for years now. Their website offers a simple, fast way to apply for a position in technology firms around the world, whatever your specialty, and also a way to discuss opportunities directly with a specific company’s management and/or Human Resources representative. Whether you are an aerospace engineer or a top secretary, you should take advantage of every Internet-friendly hiring process you can find.

However, not everyone wants to work in a technology firm, so there are many other sites that act as "funnels" for job applicants interested in specific industries. No matter what your career path, there are both placement firms and companies hiring directly that are waiting, in cyberspace, for your application. Perhaps you are simply changing jobs, have been laid off recently or are a high school or college graduate looking for a first real position. Whatever the case may be, following a few simple guidelines will help you in your venture.

Remember the basics

The first thing that you need to remember is that finding a job is itself a full-time job. The right job is not going to fall into your lap. Working hard at finding a job will give you better results than simply praying for one to fall from the sky. Get your energy level up, and keep it there, as finding work can be a lot of work in itself!

You need to get your resume updated and looking good. If you can’t do one on your computer that looks as good as what you see on the "professional resume" sites, then get some help or consider paying (a small fee) to get one done. Print or copy at least a few hundred of them – yes, a few hundred – and have a Word document or PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format) version to attach to e-mail applications and upload to job sites.

Do the "old-fashioned" things, too. Mail or deliver resumes to all the employment agencies within a 25- or 50-mile radius, or however far you are willing to travel to a new job. Give some out to your friends and family. Deliver them from door to door in a business center or industrial park. You can’t be shy and expect much to happen. You are competing with who knows how many other applicants!

Search the classifieds everyday (online and in print, with at least the local papers), and make sure to contact prospective employers in the way they request. If they want a phone call, don’t send a letter. If they want an email, don’t make a phone call. If you can’t follow the directions in a help wanted ad, what will a potential employer think of your ability to follow directions – or read? Naturally, if a job listing has a phone number and email address, get on the phone and call right away and send that email, as well.

Continue networking with friends and colleagues, and setting up accounts on websites such as MySpace, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder and Jobing.com. There are more job boards out there than you can possibly keep track of, so don’t overdo it. Sign up and deal with only the number you can handle well, whether it’s five or ten. It will depend on how you work and how much you work at it, too.

Attitude is key

While finding a job these days seems to be harder than losing one, it’s always important to remain optimistic and have a positive attitude. Don’t lose faith, and never start to believe that there is no hope. If you are already employed and happen to think that the firm is in jeopardy, start looking for another job right away. The longer you wait, the less likely you will be able to find employment once you are laid off. Start testing the waters and when the time seems right ,make the leap to a better and more secure job.

One of the most important things when searching for a new job is to be proactive as well as progressive in your approach. If you’re normally sending out five resumes per day, start sending ten or even twenty instead. Don’t be too picky with the companies you choose, as long as your preliminary research shows that they are solvent and will likely be in business for a while. Get as many interviews as possible. You can be choosy later.

You might want to consider revamping your resume if you are not getting calls back. While your old resume might have landed you the job you have now, in today’s job market the competition is as tight as a snare drum. Another way to prepare is to polish up on those interviewing skills. Just because you’re called to an interview doesn’t mean the job is yours. Interviewers are most impressed by a person who shows confidence, knowledge of the position offered, a willingness to be a "team player" and an eagerness for the job.

Remember, if wishes were horses beggars would ride. Wishing that you had a job is not going to get you one. Be prepared, do the work and be persistent. That is the most important thing. Keep working your plan, adjust it as you need to, stay focused, think positively – and before long, you just might land the exact job you desire.