7 Simple Best Practices to Speed Up Your Job Search

When an individual has spent some time looking for a new work, it can be easy to get into a rut, especially if that perfect job hasn't come along. Worse yet, the few interviews that came your way did not result in a job offer. There is no reason to panic. Changing your tactics and being more proactive can change your luck and land you that job.

1. Look Over Your Resume

One mistake made by resume writers is using stock phrases in a resume. Saying things such as "team leader" sounds good but tells the recruiter nothing about your skills. Making yourself stand out in the crowd is more likely to get your resume noticed. If you are qualified for a job and applied for numerous classified ad jobs but don't get callbacks for interviews, then the problem may lie with your resume. Gear a resume toward the job you are seeking, highlight your skills and make this information easy to find such as placing this information in short bullet points. Before you send a resume, check to make sure your contact information is correct. A surprising number of job applicants are never contacted because they listed an old phone number or email address.

2. Improve Your Job Skills

While you are waiting for that interview, go over your resume and see if there is anything you can do to make yourself more desirable as an employee in your job niche. Perhaps taking a course to improve your skills may make the difference in whether you are selected. Even if it doesn't, it adds to your skills and shows that you keep on top of the latest information. This can leave a positive impression on recruiters.

3. Work on Interviewing Skills

The all-important interview can make or break getting a job. Polish your interview skills by practicing in front of friends or family or even in front of a mirror. Remember that you will probably be asked to tell the recruiter about yourself. Keep this response under two minutes and include education, what you accomplished that benefitted your previous job and how you can be an asset for the current job opening.

4. Try Networking

Sometimes, jobs can be found right under your nose. By networking through friends and business acquaintances, you can find job position openings. In addition, you can make a list of companies where you would like to work and submit an application for a current job listing or make inquiries about future job openings.

5. Reevaluate Your Search

You've submitted dozens of applications at job search sites and haven't heard anything back. Maybe you need to reevaluate the way you are conducting your job search and the information you are putting out. This might be the time to ramp up your LinkedIn profile or your personal web page, which gives you plenty of room to list your qualifications, awards and experience. If searching job boards online isn't helping, maybe it's time to expand your job hunting by using other means.

6. Follow Up on Applications

Rather than waste time waiting for a call or email from a recruiter, wait about a week and follow up on your job application. If the interest isn't there, check it off your list to avoid wasting your time. In addition, recruiters may appreciate that an applicant wants the job badly enough to follow up. This might make a recruiter reconsider your application or bring it to his or her notice when contacting applicants for interviews.

7. Take Your Job Search Seriously

Some job seekers simply send in stock resumes and wait for responses. Being proactive when searching for a job is more likely to get you called in for that first interview. Conducting a job search is work in itself and should be treated as seriously as you would a new job. Attention to detail, being proactive and making necessary changes will get you that dream job more quickly. When your job search stalls out, then it is time to re-evaluate, make changes and keep searching. TheJobNetwork helps by doing the searching for you. This service lets you list your qualifications and job interests and searches 24-hours a day for appropriate job openings, which it sends to you in the form of alerts. In addition, you can be proactive by searching the jobs yourself. Sign up for job match alert to get your job search going.