Getting Started
You may be eager to start pounding the pavement, or you may be stuck in a rut. You may be currently working or you may be unemployed. Whatever your frame of mind and whatever your situation, while looking for a new job, it's important to first step back and take stock. Look at your reality, but think about possibilities. You WILL find a job, it's just a matter of both time and effort. Trust that the job you want is out there, and believe that you will be successful in attaining it. Getting started might well be the most daunting part of the whole process, but if you get started on the right foot, the rest will follow.

Writing Resumes & Cover Letters
You are your resume. Assuming that you are applying to a company that doesn't know you, your resume and cover letter are the only means for them to make an initial assessment about your candidacy. Don't put yourself out of the running by submitting a substandard resume and cover letter! Even if you have questionable experience or a spotty work history, make an effort to put your best foot forward.

Using Job Boards
Searching for jobs online is a common contemporary approach. There are job seekers these days who likely don't remember it any other way! Browsing job boards is as natural for today's job seeker as circling newspaper ads was for those from the "old school". Large public sites have become recruiting institutions, and you should consider using them for both direct job hunting and as a research tool. In addition to large national sites, jobs are also posted on smaller, niche sites, as well as on association and corporate websites. Almost all companies with a website have a "career" section that advertises available positions or invites people to apply.

Working with Recruiters
Wondering whether to use a recruiter? A reputable recruiter in a reputable search firm can be an excellent way for you to get ahead in your job search. They can help you explore new job opportunities and open your eyes to new possibilities. They are experts in their field and have a pulse on the market. Effective recruiters have well-established and credible networks that can extend well beyond your own network. They can be your eyes and ears, and let's face it - you can use all the help you can get. They won't do all the work for you, but they can sure help make the road much easier and navigable for you. It's up to you to learn how they work, and how to make them work for you.

Networking
We often hear that networking is the most effective way of finding a job. Depending on the level of the position, this may be more or less true. If you believe networking works, then it's worth your while to develop your network savvy. Networking comes naturally to some people, but for others, it requires significantly more planning and effort. It takes work for networking to work! And as with many things in life, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

Interviewing
Reaching the interview stage is a definite milestone in the job search process. You - or your resume - managed to convince the employer that you are a worthy candidate and that meeting you would be worthwhile. The interview gives you yet another opportunity to demonstrate your worthiness. Good preparation and attention to your deportment can go a long way in improving your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Being prepared not only makes you more confident and competent in an interview, it also signals your interest and knowledge to the interviewer.

Following Up
Follow up, follow up, follow up. This nugget of advice applies throughout your job search in relation to any number of events, from self-assessment to connecting with others. Follow up with yourself regularly to assess and reassess your objectives and your progress. Follow up with your network to maintain and build relationships. And of course, follow up after job interviews to reinforce your interest in the position and demonstrate your professionalism.

Negotiating the Job Offer
Many people are anxious about the job offer negotiation stage. Discussing salary and compensation can make them uncomfortable. The anxiety might come from lack of experience. The discomfort might come from a negative mindset about placing a dollar value on ourselves and our competence. So, to get comfortable with negotiating, the best thing to do is approach it with the right attitude and to develop your skills. Negotiating is an art and a science - the science is what you know and how you prepare, while the art is knowing how to ask, listen, interpret, reposition, and act effectively.

Resigning
Everybody leaves sometime. The timing and circumstances vary of course, but a job is finite reality. Whether it's an out and out career change, a move along your career trajectory or into retirement, you will likely find yourself resigning somewhere, sometime. A skillful resignation will demonstrate your professionalism as well as help you transition to your next position. Career transition can stir many emotions in all stakeholders, so the more effectively you manage it, the better off everyone involved will be.

Starting Your New Job
Welcome to your new job! You've likely put in a great deal of thought, time and effort to get to this point. So, take a moment to congratulate yourself on your accomplishment. But now the real work begins, so don't get too comfortable. You may have gotten in the door, but now it's time to prove your worth. Prove to your employer that they've made the right choice in hiring you. Demonstrating competence and developing good habits now will help you in your new job and throughout your career.