Network: Most people find jobs through word-of-mouth. Talk to the people you know, including relatives, friends, professors, and former co-workers. Let them know that you are looking for work; ask their advice; seek out introductions to people in the field that interests you.

Customize: Create a custom version of your resume for each job or industry that interests you. Your resume is usually an employers first contact with you. Make sure it highlights your skills that relate to the job that employer is seeking to fill.

Know yourself: Identify your skills. Work on communicating them effectively. You need to be able to lay out your skills, and explain how they relate to the job you're seeking.

Organize and prioritize: Make a list to help keep track of your job search efforts. Preparing a list also helps you to organize your priorities and keeps you focused on your goal -- finding your perfect job.

Do your homework: Read the newspaper and trade journals to remain current on developments in your field of interest. Knowing the latest trends and mergers will help set you apart from other candidates in an interview.

Practice, practice, practice: Preparation is the key to a successful interview. Know your skills and be ready to illustrate how they relate to the job in question. Practice with a friend to get comfortable with your responses and to formulate strong answers to questions you might not anticipate.

Follow up: Follow up on all leads as soon as possible. If you don't, your competition may. And, following an interview, always send a thank-you note the same day.

Keep your head up: Looking for a job can feel like a job in itself. Don't let it get you down. With patience and hard work, you will find the right job.

Prepare before you go.
Find out all you can about the company before you go to the interview. Understand the products that they produce and/or the services that they provide. It’s also good to know who the customers are and who the major competitors are.

Practice makes perfect.
It will also make you feel more confident and relaxed. So, practice your answers to common questions. Make a list of questions to ask, too. Almost all interviewers will ask if you have questions. This is a great opportunity for you to show that you have done your homework and have put some thought into your questions

Make a great impression.
The interview is your chance to show that you are the best person for the job. Your application or resume has already exhibited that you are qualified. Now it ’s up to you to show how your skills and experience match this position and this company.

The employer will be looking and listening to determine if you are a good fit. He/she will be looking for a number of different qualities, in addition to the skills that you possess. To make the best impression, dress appropriately; sell your strengths; arrive early, by about 10-15 minutes; be enthusiastic; shake hands firmly; be an active listener; sit up straight and maintain eye contact; ask questions.

Say "thank you".
After the interview, follow up with a thank-you note. This is a chance for you to restate your interest and how you can benefit the company. Your best bet is to try to time it so that the note gets there before the hiring decision is made. You should also follow up with a phone call if you don’t hear back from the employer within the specified time. Check out some samples:

The perfect resume is targeted to the specifics of the job description. Tailoring your resume shows that you've done your homework and highlights the skills you possess that are relevant to the job.

Resumes can follow a variety of styles and formats, but most contain the same basic information:

Identifying Information: This section includes basic contact information, including your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. If you have a Web site that is relevant to the job for which you’re applying, include that here, too.

Objective: This is really just a brief description of your immediate career goals. The key is to keep it short and concise and to make it relevant to the job for which you are applying. If your objective is vague, leave it out.

Education: This section details your past and current educational endeavors. List degrees, diplomas, or certificates you have earned or are working toward. Start with the most recent and work your way back. Include the name of the school, degree, major, date of graduation, and honors or academic accomplishments.

Work Experience: This is a summary of your work experience. List your most recent or current job first and work your way back. Include your job title, the name and location of the organization, and the dates you worked. Describe your job duties and accomplishments briefly using strong action verbs. Military, intern, and volunteer experiences may be included here or detailed in another section.

Volunteer Experience: If you have done a lot of volunteer work, list it in its own section. Include where you volunteered and briefly describe what you did and when you did it.

Interests and Extracurricular Activities: This section can be used to highlight skills that were not gained through work or education, but are relevant to the job for which you are applying. These may include leadership or teamwork skills you picked up through professional clubs, academic teams, or organized sports.

Skills: Use this to highlight special skills you possess that are directly related to the job for which you are applying. This is a good place to detail your computer experience and list the programs you are familiar with.

References: This is always the last section of your resume, but references need not actually be included in the resume itself. Your best bet is to say "References Available upon Request" and to keep a separate sheet with your references detailed handy