In today’s ecomony, you need to maximize the number of job opportunities you can pursue. To do so, you can’t rely on any one approach or resource.

We will be highlighting different approaches you can take to maximize your job opportunities. Here’s the second approach to consider:

LinkUp.com

All of the jobs on this site are imported directly from company websites. According to LinkUp, they currently have over 22,297 companies in their database. These companies are located throughout the United States and range in size from small companies to large Fortune 500 companies.

Companies do not advertise all of their job openings on Monster, CareerBuilder, and other “pay-for” job sites. LinkUp contains many jobs that cannot be found anywhere else on the web.

According to LinkUp, the biggest difference between listings on other job sites and LinkUp is the depth and detail. Since their jobs come from company websites, you will find more descriptive job listings, requirements and qualifications, benefits, and company culture information.

LinkUp.com

The average length of unemployment is currently 24.5 weeks with 29% of the unemployed being out of work 6 months or more, both records.

Factors that would likely increase the length of time it takes you to find a new opportunity include:

• The job market being slow in general
• The desired industry being one that has been particularly hard hit by layoffs like the financial services industry
• The desired functional area being one that is experiencing little job growth
• A career change
• An industry change
• Being at a salary level above the market rate for your target position
• Re-entering the workforce after a lengthy absence
• Frequent job changes
• Your age
• Lacking the degree typically required for a desired position

The intention in providing you with these statistics is to help you realize upfront that you need to be as proactive as possible in your job search.  One of the biggest issues you will find yourself facing in today’s job market is the limited number of job opportunities. 

We will be highlighting different approaches you can take to maximize your job opportunities. Here’s the first approach to consider:

Industry and Professional Associations

To maximize your job opportunities,

• Use sources like Weddle’s Association Directory to identify appropriate associations.
• Become active in the associations you identify by attending association meetings to stay current in your field and to network.
• Post your resume on relevant industry and professional association web sites.
• Check for new job postings on each site at least weekly and apply to appropriate positions.

Here’s a resource that provides a list of 39 careers where women earn more than men as well a list of 100 top companies to work for and how they rank in terms of the number of female employees.

Best Careers for Women

Writing an effective interview thank you letter will increase your chances of receiving a job offer. Here are 2 resources you can use to help you write your post interview thank you letter:

Tips for writing effective interview thank you letters

Interview thank you letter example

Developing long-term relationships with executive recruiters or headhunters is will play an important role in your career success. Here are articles to help you work with executive recruiters:

Tips For Working with Executive Search Recruiters

How To Locate The Best Professional Sales Recruiters

Instead of thinking your work is over once you land a new position, it is essential for you to realize the importance of establishing your reputation with your new employer.

CareerBuilder has written an article that will make it easier for you to make a good impression with your new employer. This article lists 18 ways you can make a positive impression.

I found item 10 - Listen 80%, Talk 20% - to be especially helpful. New employees often fall into the trap of thinking they need to quickly show how much they know and demonstrate how things can be done better then they are now. Instead of making a good impression, this approach can backfire and alienate you from your new coworkers.

To learn more about how to impress your new employer, read the CareerBuilder article:

18 Ways to Impress a New Employer

Are you looking for a medical sales position? Do you need some ideas for your medical sales resume?

Here’s a sample resume example of a medical sales resume:

Medical Sales Resume

This site also has 25 other sample resumes from a wide variety of career fields:

Sample Resumes

We all know how stressful a job search can be. Effective Learning Systems is offering instant access to a free MP3 download of the complete spoken-word track of its Alpha Break audio program.

This MP3 download will help you relax mentally and physically in just 10 minutes. While it lasts only 10 minutes, according to Effective Learning Systems, it will help you relax and lower your brainwave frequency to the alpha state (7-14 Hertz). As stated by Effective Learning Systems, at this level of mind you will quickly raise your energy level, generate new ideas, make decisions, or just renew your positive attitude.

When you’re feeling stressed from your job search, take an Alpha Break.

Free Alpha Break MP3 Download

Are you looking for a new sales position? Do you need some ideas for your sales resume?

Here’s a sample resume example of a sales resume or sales management resume.

Sales Resume or Sales Management Resume

Improve your existing resume or create a winning resume by using this free resource to view a wide variety of resume examples including executive, sales management, IT, and pharmaceutical sales resumes written by a number of different professional resume writers.

25+ Free Resume Examples