I learned some interesting information recently at the National Resume Writers’ Association convention, some of which I believe job seekers need to know before the search becomes too long and frankly, depressing. On the one hand, the job market is very tight right now and there have been predictions that sometime soon there will be some 3 million (yes, I said million) more jobs than candidates to fill them! So why does your job exploration seem so long and why isn’t your phone ringing off the hook? Let’s get something straight about job searching. Contrary to most opinions, the best jobs are not found in the Sunday Classifieds. By the time those jobs are listed, many of them are already taken internally and the listing is merely a formality. There is also the "blind ad" phenomenon that prevents candidates from remaining confidential or learning anything about the company to which they are applying. Once an ad hits the paper, each employer receives between 50-1,000 resumes for that position. Are you ready to compete with that many candidates? Are you prepared to send out 1,470 resumes to want ads before actually landing a job? According to Richard Nelson Bolles, best-selling author of "What Color is Your Parachute," that’s the dreaded magic number. You can take important steps to make sure that you are noticed in today’s market, but you have to make a commitment to your search. First of all, make sure that you’re in a constant state of learning and professional development. Take in-house seminars, local college courses, and work on an additional degree. Employers are looking for educated workers, and your dedication to continued learning will be a bonus. Examine your resume and find the value to potential employers. Is it a yawning chronological history of your work or is it loaded with achievements? Does it demonstrate problems you’ve solved, productivity you’ve contributed to, or profits you’ve helped generated? If not, don’t bother sending it in because employers are looking for bottom-line contributors with transferable skills, not stagnant workers who watch the clock – which is they type of employee you portray when your resume isn’t finely tuned. Network with purpose; don’t make contacts with just anyone. Keep a running list of valuable references that can justify and know your work ethic, integrity and knowledge. You’re not networking for a job; you are networking for valuable leads. Additionally, contact companies on your own; don’t wait for the ads. In summary, don’t expect to find a job right away. The average job seeker will find a "real" job (not just a bill-payer) in 7.8 weeks, no matter what their age, and despite aggressive search methods. If you start to think outside the box and use your ingenuity, you will find your job search much more rewarding. Take advantage of our market, be persistent, and present your value to employers. Companies are looking for hard-working employees, and frankly, many candidates don’t know how or care to do the job search right. You will be rewarded when you use your imagination and don’t limit the opportunities out there.