While you may possess all the enthusiasm in the world for a particular job, qualifications are another matter entirely. Yes, we all want a leadership role with all the perks it implies. But the difference between a Software Engineer and a Director of IT is vast, and if you’re looking to make a jump of this magnitude, be prepared for a fight. Understand going in that you’re competing with candidates who have at least one, and possibly several Director of IT jobs under their belt. What makes you a viable candidate? Perhaps more accurately, what do you have that they don’t? If you can’t answer these questions satisfactorily, then you’re probably aiming too high.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking, “I’ll try this job out and if it doesn’t work, leave after a year”. What makes a resume great is quantifiable accomplishments. They’re one of, if not THE most important thing recruiters and hiring agents look at when assessing a potential candidate, and rare is the job that will allow you to rack some up in less than 2-3 years. By all means research new career paths and potential positions. But when it comes time to find a job, be prepared to make a commitment.

Never underestimate your instincts when it comes to evaluating a resume. Having an effective structure, utilizing industry-specific keywords, and highlighting concrete successes are just one piece of the puzzle. Actively solicit feedback from colleagues to discover whether the language is ACTIVE instead of passive, whether there’s a nice flow from one section to another, and whether it’s obvious that both resume and cover letter are two parts of a whole. Investing the time to perfect your resume and cover letter will pay off in the form of a drastically shortened job search.

1. Update your CV as much as possible. List all your duties very careful. If you need consult with CV writers to have done it better.

2. Have a cover letter to give employers. Better to personalize cover letter for each job you apply for, but you can have a generic one. Take time to personalize any cover letters for jobs you have special interest in.

3. Take some time to focus on sharpening any of your skills that need sharpening. There are many great websites to do online training from office skills, computer software, fire fighting as well as brick laying. Make sure you are up to speed with the skills and jargon in the industry you plan to work in.

4. You should have all your job search documents ready to go: resumes, cover letters, references and other job related docs.

5. Look in your area for places you would like to work for. Visit the business with your CV in hand and ask if they are hiring. Make sure to dress as if you were going to the interview. Never go into a business for this reason during high traffic times.

6. Be ready to dress to impress. Never forget about dress code.

7. Don’t rely solely on the want ads in your local paper. Expand your job search to include online job boards, head hunters and old connections.

8. Tell everyone in your network: friends, family and etc. that you are looking for a job. Don’t forget to tell them about your skills and abilities, even if you believe they know.

9. Most companies have web sites and you can gain a lot of information as to how they hire and if they are currently hiring. Some companies will have postings on their websites while others will direct you to another site for their current postings. At the very least you can get contact information so that you can give them a call and ask if they hiring somebody at the moment.

10. Always have a few copies of CV with you. You never know when you will need it.

11. In this tough time, a job is a job. So if you can find a decent one that offers at least some of what you need, take it. It’s always easier to find better job when you are working. You stress less and you are more relaxed about it.

For most blue collar and some white collar workers, the leading place to find employment is on the internet. There are numerous sites that specialize in particular areas of employment. There are also sites that are more general like Craigslist. The internet is being used in an effort to reach a wider pool of applicants. This is good for the employers, but makes the odds not in favor of the prospective employee of obtaining employment.