Advice of two experts, Daryl A. Hulme, vice president of human resources for HotJobs.com, an Internet job board, and Barbara Nixon, a career communications expert are given below in form of question & answers.

First, get some tips on job-hunting in hard times from Hulme.

Then read on to see what Hulme and Nixon have to say about putting your best foot forward when you’re job-hunting in cyberspace.

Job-Hunting in Hard Times
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Q: Now that the economy has taken a downturn, how has the job hunt changed?

Ans. by HULME: The tables have turned. There are fewer jobs and more people in the job market seeking them. Employers now have the upper hand. They can be more selective. They can easily hold out for the “total package” candidate that seemed so elusive a short time ago — the candidate with the needed skill set, the desired amount and type of experience, and the preferred educational background. When the labor market was tighter, it was difficult to find all of these qualifications in one person. Employers often had to compromise.

For example, in the absence of enough work experience or the proper skills, the employer may have invested in training a new hire, which can drive up costs and slow productivity levels. Now, with the easing of the labor market, it’s easier to find that “total package.”

Employers also have greater control over salaries. Job-seekers are no longer in a position to command the salaries we saw just one year ago. In fact, pay cuts are occurring in some companies — something I’ve not seen before in my 15-year career. Such cuts may represent an effort to adjust salaries to more reasonable levels or an attempt to reduce costs in the face of softer revenues.

Q.: If you have a choice, is it better to sit tight and avoid making a job change now?

Ans by HULME: It depends. You need to test the water before jumping in. Assess your current job situation, your marketability, and the climate for your particular career or profession to help determine whether it makes sense to make a move. Be more cautious, and carefully think through the implications of a change. You do not need to avoid making a job change, but you should avoid making an impulsive decision.

Q.: What about the person who has no choice — someone who lost his job due to downsizing, for example? How can he increase his chances of finding another job quickly?

Ans. by HULME: There are three things that an individual should do to increase his chances of finding another job.

1. Initiate a comprehensive job search ASAP. If you’re given advance notice before your last day of employment, start looking immediately. If no advance notice is given, then start the search as soon as possible.

Don’t limit yourself to a particular headhunter, or newspaper ad, or other lead. Use all channels to find a job — the classifieds, Internet job sites, recruiting firms, your personal network, college alumni services, direct mail, career fairs, and walk-in applications. Finding a job is a numbers game. Your chances increase with the number of leads you pursue.

2. Consider alternative employment opportunities. If you were working as a flight attendant, consider a job in customer service — many of the skills are transferable and compatible. Most companies provide customer service in some manner. You could be limiting yourself if you choose to pursue the exact job you previously had. Conversely, you can greatly increase your pool of opportunity if you broaden the type of job and industry you’re willing to consider.

3. Consider interim employment. If money is short and no opportunities are on the horizon, consider temporary or contract employment until you land that ideal next job. This intermediary step helps psychologically, as it can alleviate the stress that accompanies unemployment.

In short, take assertive action to find that next job and keep an open mind during the process.

Q.: What else can you do to make sure the hunt is a successful one?

Ans by HULME: Know how to market yourself. Package yourself inside and out. Dress neatly and professionally for interviews. This is not a time to sport casual garb or show off your connection to extreme fashion trends! Know your resume cold. Be able to articulate your strengths and achievements, especially as they relate to the position you want. Be realistic. Salaries paid a year ago may not be offered today. If you’re unwilling to bend on such terms, you may lose out. Present a positive image. Show that you’re confident, but not arrogant, and that you have the energy and enthusiasm to do a great job. Don’t speak negatively about your previous employer — it doesn’t present a positive picture. And a positive image can help distinguish you.

The hiring picture is certainly tougher than it was a year ago, but it’s not bleak. There are still a lot of jobs out there. You just need to go after them, present yourself well, and be realistic.

Putting Your Best Foot Forward
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So you’re ready to make that move? Perhaps you’ve been laid off, or the old job just isn’t providing the challenges it used to, or maybe you’re looking to climb the career ladder. You know that you can apply for jobs all over the globe without ever leaving your computer, but with all of the online job resources available, it’s hard to know how to begin.

Q: How should a job-seeker approach a potential employer? Does it make sense to send a blind email to a company?

Ans by NIXON: Many blind emails suffer the same fate as blind letters that are snail-mailed — they are trashed without being opened. If you find a company that you’re interested in, learn all you can about it before sending an email, and then include something in the subject line of your message that will entice the recipient to open it. Bad idea: “Resume enclosed.” Great idea: “Results-oriented sales achiever available.”

Ans by HULME: People tend to be less formal when using email. But the old adage, “You only have one chance to make a good first impression,” still applies. It’s important for candidates to ensure that their online application sends the right message. Use the resume to convey your qualifications and accomplishments and the cover letter to express interest and professional objectives. An email note with two or three sentences that simply express interest in a particular job may not provide the potential employer with sufficient information. It’s in your best interest to provide the employer with the information needed to accurately assess skills and determine whether there is a potential fit. Applying for a job is the first step in the hiring process — make it count.

Q. How can the job seeker make himself stand out from the crowd in cyberspace?

Ans by NIXON: In the olden days — the 1990s — action verbs made stellar resumes stand out over mediocre ones. In the new millennium, keywords or keyword phrases are critical. Why? Because it’s quite likely that your resume — at least the one you email or submit online — may never be read by a human. Computers process your information and store it in databases. When a position must be filled, someone enters keywords related to the position into the database’s search function. Be sure you include a section at the top of your resume that is filled with 10 to 15 keywords that employers will search for when they need to find you. And remember the adage that you should never have a resume longer than two pages? That’s a thing of the past when you’re submitting an online resume. Include all the relevant information that you think an employer needs to determine if you are right for the position. Then, when you are called in for an interview, bring along a traditional paper-based resume.

Ans by HULME: You must use words that have a high probability of being identified. For instance, if you are a sales professional, you should indicate whether your experience includes “inside sales,” “outside sales,” or “ad sales.” You should also indicate how much revenue you generate and the types of clients with whom you have worked — i.e. Fortune 500, mid-sized companies. Make yourself stand out by demonstrating on your resume that you possess the competencies critical to success in the job and the organizational culture. Extract them from the employers’ job postings or ads, marketing literature, or word of mouth. Competencies such as flexibility, speed, resourcefulness, and the ability to drive execution and results are in high demand. Slightly tailor your resume or cover letter for each employer to which you apply. It requires a little extra work, but it can have a big payoff.

Q: What’s the best format to use when emailing a resume or samples of work?

Ans. by NIXON: Given the fear of computer viruses, many companies do not allow unsolicited attachments to be opened by their employees. That means the jazziest, best-looking resume on the planet may soon become the jazziest, best-looking and most quickly deleted attachment in someone’s inbox. Send your resume in plain text as the body of your e-mail message. If you want to include all the bells and whistles, then include a hyperlink to your online resume, where you can get as jazzy as you desire. Be careful, though, about divulging too much personal information on your online resume. Your current employer may just stumble across you and wonder why you’re seeking another position.

Ans. by HULME: I discourage graphics or designs, as they are not likely to transmit successfully. Most employers specify their desired format for sending resumes and work samples. Some request that information be sent via Web-based script. Others request attachments in Microsoft Word. Always adhere to individual specifications to ensure that your submissions are successfully transmitted in the employers’ preferred format. Deviate from such basic instructions, and you may miss out on an opportunity.

Q: Which candidates stand the best chance of being chosen when employers are using online resources?

Ans by HULME: Candidates who successfully communicate their skills, qualifications, match the job profile and reply to online job postings quickly stand the best chance of being chosen. The Internet has made life faster for both candidate and employer. Resumes once submitted through the mail are now submitted with a click. Candidates still relying on the mail stand a good chance of being beaten to the punch by candidates sending their resumes through cyberspace.

Ans by NIXON: If you can clearly and concisely communicate to an employer how you can add value to the company, you will stand out. It’s as simple as that.

Source:Reader’s Digest