In the past, being out of work for six months was cause for concern. In the present, it’s the norm for the unemployed; many, in fact, have been out of work longer, and in spite of a consistent and detailed job search, can barely get to an interview. Do you blame the economy, the hiring manager, or more stringent job standards? In a sense, all of them work together against the job candidate. Fewer positions are available, and for those that are open, the job descriptions are demanding; hiring managers and human resources, as well, won’t interview candidates unless they meet all requirements – or go above and beyond them. But being overqualified also hurts your chances, and likely won’t result in a job.

With the competition greater than ever, the best strategy for applying is examining every detail, starting with your resume. All information must be up-to-date, including your latest position title and hiring dates. Focusing on achievements rather than duties is also recommended. Even with the most recent information, however, your resume still needs to be flawless: free of typos and grammatical errors and in a pleasing format. Resumes in the present, for example, no longer include an objective; instead, a summary of your skills and positive qualities should precede everything else. If grammar and spelling are not your strengths, have a second pair of eyes look at your resume; as a last resort, contact a resume writing company.

Many of the same principles are applied to cover letters. The content, however, is directed more toward the employer, such as why you’re interested in the company, what you can do for them, and how your skills allow you to achieve this. Never use a generic cover letter, and do a moderate amount of research about the company or organization before writing it.

Consider an interview – once you get to this step – as an extension of your cover letter. General job search tips tell you to prepare ahead of time – and you should. Going in cold, without knowledge of the company or prepared answers, lessens your chances of a job. Instead, continue doing more research about the company, specifically about what they’ve recently done. Consider your potential role in the company based upon this information, and how you could make them grow. On the other hand, the second half of interview preparation is knowing what to say, and as an interview is essentially a two-way conversation, have answers for general interview questions, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why are you interested in our company?”, and “Why should we hire you?” Additionally, have your own set of questions to ask the interviewer, and include your research about the company in these.

Attire is one of the more overlooked job search tips, but not everyone knows what to wear. Making a good impression is always important, and on a visual level, this comes from the right clothing. Business dress – a suit, polished black shoes, and minimal accessories – is preferred in nearly all instances, and being overdressed is better in an interview; once offered the position, you can adjust your style to fit that of the office.

Another aspect of looking for a job is networking. Particularly helpful for all positions and practically a requirement for advanced careers, networking comes down to who you know, be it friends or family, former colleagues, or other industry professionals. Most job search networking tips focus on building up a network at all times – not just when you’re out of work or looking to change careers. With the internet, this has become easier; as long as you can find your current and existing connections on LinkedIn.com or a similar site, you can discuss the industry, stay in contact, and watch for any job openings.

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