I hope everyone is doing well in this challenging economic environment. The good news is that we currently seem to be hitting a bottom and hopefully we’ll continue to see positive economic indicators.

If you find yourself negatively impacted by the current environment and out of work here a couple things to keep in mind when looking for a new job:

1) In-person and on-line networking continues to be a potentially helpful component to your job search. Of course, you may be able to find a job without spending a significant amount of time in this area but it certainly isn’t going to decrease your chances. If you’re ready and willing you should jump in with both feet. Try to establish new contacts in companies that you would like to work for by using sites like Linkedin.com. Get involved with in-person networking groups specific to your field by using sites like meetup.com Build your “brand” by offering your expertise and insight by using online tools such as Twitter and Blogs.

2) Make sure that your resume is accurately representing your work history. I have recently seen a number of candidates that are currently not working list their most recent employer as their “current” employer. This is usually quickly discovered by a recruiter and your misrepresentation, whether it is accidental or intentional, will likely put you at a disadvantage compared to other candidates. The mistake can be interpreted as a lack of attention to detail in a best case scenario; the worst case scenario is that you are intentionally misrepresenting yourself.

I hope this helps and good luck!