The media is saying it, we are definitely feeling it and are cautiously optimistic that the worst of this recession is behind us.  Depending on where you live, it’s either good NOW or getting there.

Here are some tips for the job seeker today:

1)      Don’t wait. Many candidates call and say “I know there isn’t much going on now, but I will come in when things turn around.” Not good enough! Get that ball rolling sooner rather later, get yourself out there and get in the interviewing mode now. By the time the market is in full swing, all of the proactive candidates will have gotten their resumes out and you’ll be left behind.

2)      Network. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job…from an old college buddy on a street corner to your sister in laws’ sister in law. Ideas can come from the most unlikely places and the more people looking out for you, the better!

3)      Practice. Press that suit, polish those answers, take training courses and prepare. Be the best version of yourself you can be, so that you don’t waste the first couple of interviews knocking the dust off your resume portfolio.

4)      Get out of the rut. Submit your resume to jobs you might not have considered before the most recent downsize. Think about where and how your skills might transfer and sell yourself! Don’t underestimate how much you can do and how many things you were doing at your last job (even the stuff that wasn’t listed in your job description) that could land the next interview.

5)      Make your resume less complicated. Make it pop. Make the 3 seconds that it will appear on someone’s desk count. You don’t need to list every last duty; add responsibilities that pack a punch and quantify accomplishments as much as possible.

6)      Be Flexible.  Your competition is, so you have to be too. From job title to salary, be competitive, but get in the door and know that these next couple years are going to be a bit of rebuilding and you want to be employed. Don’t go too low or dummy down anything, but be willing to work your way up some.

7)      Be confident. You are not the only person that has been laid off and has been out of work for more time than you’d like to admit. Focus on the positive, be enthusiastic; no time for a pity party, you need to shine! Take a deep breathe, think of all the wonderful things your previous bosses would say about you and go nail that interview!

Good luck!  Things are finally looking up for all of us!