Job Hunting Tips for 2010

As much as we wish it would end, an end to recession blanketing the United States is a long way from over. Nationally, unemployment numbers are around 10% while depending upon your state, number go all the way up to 13% of the population (California). While things should get better over the course of the next year, that does little to help those of us recently unemployed or those of us who are coming to the end of our unemployment payments. To that end, a few sage tips on how to find your next great career move are very timely. Here are 7 tips to help you find and land a job in 2010

1. Cast a wide net - When you start you job hunt, don't limit yourself to one or two sites like Hotjobs or Monster, instead think big and look at job aggregators such as Indeed. They will pull in results from a multitude of job search engines rather than limiting you to one or two.
2. Use Social Media - Yes, social Media, it's not just for fun! Promote your personal brand, skills and strengths on different social networking sites so you can reach the widest and most diverse audience of networking contacts and potential employers. By the same token clean up your Facebook and other profiles. A top activity of HR and recruiting representatives is to Google applicants and see what they can find.
3. Network - Don't forget your personal connections when it comes to finding a new gig. You never know when an old colleague or casual acquaintance may be able to help you land your next great thing. Take a moment and connect with old friends via brunch, a phone call or even a quick email; you never know when a brief conversation might lead to a new career.
4. Don't get greedy - While many of us are in the hunt for the perfect job, these days it is important to realize any job that you can stomach and will pay you more than you can make off unemployment (tops out at about $1,600 pre-tax in NY, NJ, CA and some other states) might be worth your while. Sure you might not be making what you did in 2007, but a long gap in employment on your resume will make it considerably harder to find a job down the road.
5. Realize your limits - While we are all inclined to reach for the top rung on the ladder, landing a job that you will lose six months down the road because you over-stated your abilities and bluffed your way into the job WILL come back to haunt you.
6. Don't forget about benefits - Take a close look at the total package when evaluating new opportunities. Benefits like 401k matching, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), paid holidays, educational reimbursement, commuting reimbursement, stock options, and others all add up.
7. Continuing education - While getting a new job should be your ultimate goal, don't forego opportunities to continue your education and make you more marketable. As the economy contracts, new opportunities will emerge for those with the right skill sets. If you have been thinking about a career change or continuing your education, now might be a good time to take out a student loan, get educated and come out on top when the economy turns around.

While there is no single solution to finding your next career move, a few simple steps might be the difference between unemployment and a tidy paycheck in 2010. Bottom line: think big, persevere and you might be lucky enough to land a great gig!

Learn more about finding your next great job opportunity at http://www.businessinsider.com/jobs