by Logan Stewart

It seems like we can't even watch a simple television show these days without a barrage of political ads harping on the terminally bad state of the nation's economy. Candidates and the media like to latch on to snippets of news about recession and down times; in particular, those newer, headline-making doomsday pieces.  Those nuggets of information then get funneled across the AP wire and splashed across newspapers and magazines, and likewise make their way into TV and radio chatter.  
 
So where does all of this desolate heresey leave you, the job seeker?  The US Labor Department reported earlier this year that the US economy had a net loss of 20,000 jobs in April 2008.  While this was the fourth consecutive month that the number of lost jobs had increased, it was actually an improvement over the three previous months. That's right; the situation is NOT as bad as it comes across.
 
Realistically, some industries are no doubt in a rut right now.  We've all heard about the mortgage crisis, the banks and financial services situations, and goodness knows the talk about the rising cost of gas never stops.  Right now, these are not particularly good sectors in which to seek a job.  Yet despite these seemingly huge crises, our nation's employment rate is still hovering at 94%, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.  
 
The key to finding a job right now is to strategize and streamline your efforts.  Here are some key steps you can take to keep your career search stable and on the right path:   

Tell Everyone!  Being unemployed is nothing to be ashamed of.  You would be amazed at how many people have been in your situation and will actually want to share their stories of trial and triumph with you.  The more people you keep in your network and keep in the loop about your job hunt, the more likely they will be to remember you when they hear about an opportunity.
 
Spend Less time on Job Websites. Hiring managers are generally swamped with tens, even hundreds, of resumes from job search engines.  Many of those applications are irrelevant and get tossed. While it's okay to apply for a few jobs you see that really interest you, make the bulk of your job search networking through people you know.

Seek Out Specific Companies.  Make a list of the top ten or twenty companies that you would like to work for.  Then get on their websites and browse their career or employment sections.  If you know people within the industry, by all means get in touch with them for the inside scoop.
 
Talk to Headhunters.  In case you're not familiar with them, headhunters are recruiting firms that specialize in niche professions such as law, banking, or human resources.  Get in touch with a local staffing firm that seeks employees for the sector you want to work in.  The resulting jobs may not be the most glamorous, but they are steady.  Note:  there is actually a need for professional skills right now, particularly in finance and accounting, science and engineering, healthcare, nursing, and technology and IT fields.

Finding a job takes time, even in the best of economic situations.  So don't despair yet; there's no need to feel like your days at the unemployment office will never end.  The upside of all the negative talk?  History has shown us time and time again that recessions are only temporary and the economy will eventually always turn back around.