The current economic downturn has resulted in an extremely bleak environment for employment. In order to survive in this economy and land the employment that you desire there are several tips and tricks you must utilize. This article is loaded with proven and effective employment advice, so read it very carefully.

If you are currently unemployed, making finding a job your new “job.” Essentially, that means you should spend the same number of hours in a day looking for a new position as you did at your previous job. This is often hard to do, but if you establish a routine for yourself early on, you will be able to succeed.

Try not to listen to all the press about the dwindling job market and how difficult it is to find a job. This will only seek to discourage you. There are plenty of companies out there and many are hiring. While there may be more people looking for jobs, that simply means that you need to improve your resume and interviewing skills in order to stand out. Think positively.

Make sure that you send a thank you note to all of the people that have given you interviews. Sometimes people choose other candidates, but they will keep you in mind for future positions just because you are courteous. Send the note a day or two after the interview so they can remember who you are.

The Internet is a great resource, but you need to search for a job in other places as well. Social networking sites can sometimes help, but the best approach is to research companies of interest, find out if they have any available positions and get your resume out there for people to see.

Update your resume. You should always keep your resume current, even when you are not on the hunt for a job. You never know when an opportunity may present itself, so have a copy of your resume ready and available. It will also be easier to keep track of previous employment when you don’t have to track down each bit of info as you need it.

Learn how to translate your job skills. There have been several industries that have taken substantial hits, and they will not be recovering anytime soon, so you may have to look outside of your field for some opportunities. Furthermore, keep track of which fields have grown recently. Using this knowledge can help you see how your skills can be translated for these growing opportunities. You can also use apprenticeships, internships, and some part-time transition roles.

If your work can be done either day or night offer flexible schedules. This will expand the pool of employees that you are choosing from, and whenever their are more candidates available, chances are better that you get better employees. This also will make your employee feel that they are more free to set their schedule and live their life as needed.

Take the time to write a quality cover letter before applying for a job. Your cover letter is a reflection of your communication and writing skills. Do your best to describe your experience in details, talk about your motivations and explain why you would be a good fit for the job.

Dress for success. For better or worse, your appearance is the first impression you will make on your interviewer. Make sure you dress appropriately, and are neatly groomed. It is better to risk being over-dressed than to risk appearing too casual. Whenever possible, avoid wearing any jeans, shorts, or t-shirts.

When all else fails, hire help to write your resume. A professional resume will not only look good and read right, but it will also be written in such a way that job boards like Monster.com will highlight you in the right searches. Professionals know which terms to use to get noticed.

When searching for a job online, it’s always a good idea to make sure you utilize the good tools you find to build your resume. You’re going to need the help when it comes to how competitive the market is online. You need to think of ways your resume can stand out and grab people’s attnetion.

Take some classes. After putting together your resume, look it over for areas that are lacking or for skills that you could use some brushing up on. Enroll in classes to close up any gaps in your resume and to update your skills. Also, taking the initiative to enroll in a course will show hiring managers that you are motivated to learn and improve.

All good companies ought to have strict policies in place regarding harassment, whether it is of a sexual or racial nature. While the legal expense to set up such a policy is hefty up front, you will surely save yourself a large headache later. Harassment is simply unacceptable in the workplace.

Always review job postings carefully before applying. Pay attention to the desired qualifications, job description and other details in the postings you review. You should avoid applying for jobs you are clearly not qualified for and make sure the documents you submit with your application correspond to the material the employer wants to receive.

If you have your heart set on working for a particular business, it’s a good idea to let them have a copy of your resume. On a monthly basis, check back to inquire about open positions or upcoming hiring events. You can even stop by if you would like. They will remember your face and appreciate your persistence.

As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, the current employment environment is very bleak. In order to beat the odds and survive through these difficult times you must be willing to educate yourself. Take advantage of all the great tips and advice you’ve read about and apply it. Good luck!