If you’re a job-seeker in today’s tight employment market, you know what a challenge you’re up against. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced worker who has been affected by the economic downturn, you know that employers who post job openings are flooded with applications, making it difficult to stand out in the crowd.

It is possible to make sure that you – and your resume – get noticed. The most important thing is to maintain a positive attitude. If you don’t give up, you’ll find the right job.

The tricky thing about searching for a job is that there is a lot of etiquette, a lot to remember and a lot to do. It’s quite like a job in itself. Follow these job-search tips to put your best foot forward.

* Update. A stale resume will soon meet with a trash can. It’s essential to avoid cutting corners on this all-important document. Make sure that the language you use is consistent (check things like verb tense, capitalization and category titles), lest it look like you’re making slap-dash additions. Keep your resume as current as possible, and include any projects you’re working on while unemployed. It’s also important that you project a polished look – using a customized letterhead for all of your documents is an inexpensive way to look pulled together.

* Customize. Perhaps the quickest way to turn off a potential employer is to send them a cover letter or resume addressed to a different company. It’s a lot of work, but write a new cover letter for each job you apply for. Research the company enough so that you know a bit about who you’re addressing and what tone you should use. It shows that you’ve made a good effort and that you’re interested in that company specifically.

* Network. Make use of your contacts to find out if there are jobs available that are not listed on popular job search engines. You should also make use of social networking by posting your resume on sites like LinkedIn, where you can also connect with former colleagues who might be able to make recommendations about available jobs. While you’re online, you should carefully cultivate your Web presence. Make sure that you know exactly what a potential employer will see when they search for you online.

* Prepare. The study skills you learned in school didn’t stop being applicable when you walked across the stage with your diploma. If you’re applying to a job, research can help you craft a better application, and if you get an interview, you should throw your study efforts into overdrive, to learn everything you can about the company. Careful interview preparation goes beyond having a smart outfit to wear. If you arrive with extra copies of your resume, samples of your work and other information arranged in custom presentation folders, the interviewer will know that you’re willing to go the extra mile.

* Mind your manners. Just like mom and grandma told you, using good manners is the best way to show someone that you appreciate them. That means that you show up on time, address people respectfully and, above all, follow up with an appreciative gesture. Thank you cards are also a great way to keep you fresh in your interviewer’s mind. It’s a good time-saving idea to purchase custom cards with your name on them online at sites like Vistaprint.com. Once you get home from the interview, sit down and write a note, then head straight to the post office. A handwritten note is a better, more memorable gesture than an e-mail.

Courtesy of ARAcontent