With the U.S. unemployment rate at its highest level in decades, many people find themselves looking for jobs. Meanwhile, some of those who have managed to hold on to their jobs in the midst of massive downsizing have endured shoddy employer treatment this past year, including significant increases in workload alongside financial hits such as slashed benefits and pay. As such, the unemployed are not the only ones looking for new jobs.

In yesterday's The Job Hunt, Pt. I: Preparation, we discussed preparation tips and resources for people considering a new job. If you have assessed your situation and decided to take the next step in your career, consider the following job-hunting suggestions and resources gathered from IMT's archives.

Work Your Network.
Online social networking sites like Facebook and business-oriented LinkedIn can help further your job search, but don't forget the importance of face-to-face networking. Trade associations and professional networking groups can expand your influence and gain you invaluable resources for advancing your career. See How Professional Groups Can Boost Your Career

Recruiters and hiring managers often seek talent at trade shows, industry meetings, conferences and other professional group events. Job seekers benefit from on-the-spot interviews at job fairs, but they also face plenty of competition, so know how to make a strong and lasting impression. See Be More Than a Face in the Crowd

Are you a mentor or mentee? Tap into that relationship, too. See Why Mentoring Matters

Perfect Your Documents.
A résumé not only offers a direct statement of a candidate's skills, experience and career trajectory, but also represents an applicant's professionalism and showcases commitment. Yet the tiny window of opportunity granted each résumé means the language, format and conciseness have to be as close to flawless as possible. Crafting a well-worded, polished and engaging résumé increases the odds of getting your foot in the door and, hopefully, securing the desired job. See Perfect Your Résumé

Sending out an effective and memorable cover letter to prospective employers can be crucial for landing a position, as it is usually the first (and sometimes last) opportunity to leave a good impression on employers. It serves as both an introduction and a self-advertisement, explaining to hiring managers how a candidate fits their needs aside from the credentials listed on a résumé. Ensure you create and present a memorable cover letter. See How to Craft an Effective Cover Letter

Nail Your Interview.
A successful résumé and cover letter normally leads to an interview, where a candidate's personality and ability to explain his or her qualifications may overcome some of the hurdles to employment. During the hiring process, the job interview is perhaps the best opportunity for both the employer and the prospective employee to assess how well the applicant's background, skills and experience will fit into the culture and operations of an organization.

Showing up to the interview prepared, presenting yourself professionally and being confident can help you overcome your interview anxiety and avoid common interview mistakes, such as those stemming from tricky or loaded interview questions. See Interview Mistakes on Both Sides of the Table and "What is Your Biggest Weakness?" and other Tricky Job Interview Questions

Stay Positive and Assess Progress.
From beginning to end, the job hunt can be a slow-moving, often maddening, process that tests your patience and endurance. Roughly one in six Americans is unemployed or underemployed, representing further competition for positions. Don't let the rejection or seemingly endless silence of employers you've reached out to for a job leave you feeling defeated. Stay positive and stick to your plan.

Researchers at the University of Missouri recently studied the efforts of 327 job seekers, ages 20 to 40, and found that developing and following a plan at the start of the job search, and having positive emotions later in the job search had a significant impact on success.

Based on the study findings, Daniel Turban, professor and chair of the Department of Management in the MU Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, suggests job seekers make a plan and continuously assess their progress. "It also is important to expect rejections and develop a coping strategy ahead of time," as this should "help maintain positive emotions throughout the process to improve those chances of getting a job," according to Turban.

Should you decide it's time to find a new job (or a more satisfying one) and begin the job-search process, use good judgment, don't procrastinate and don't waste time, stay positive and don't go crazy in the process.

We've only scratched the surface, and now we turn it over to you. What job-hunting tips would you like to share?

Additional Resource

MU Researchers Find Planning, Positivism Influence Employment Success at Different Stages
University of Missouri, Sept. 23, 2009