Guest Author - Sandra Eggers

If you´re looking for a new job, trying to find work after being laid off, or wanting something more challenging, consider all your options before giving up. The job market is tighter than it´s been in a few years, but there are definitely still jobs out there. Problem is, there is also intense competition for available jobs, lots of qualified applicants trying for the same opening.

It´s not uncommon to be out of work for months after being laid off. What used to take weeks to find new opportunities is now taking job-seekers months to get through the process, and sometimes longer. Due to the slowing economy, hiring managers are forced to be more selective in their search, and the sheer volume of incoming resumes takes time to go through.

Don´t give up on your job search until you´ve considered all your options. First and foremost, you have to be flexible. Are you willing to take a pay cut? Is there another job that you would be interested in doing, even if it´s not your first choice? You may also want to consider relocation. If you´re not having success in a certain geographical area, and they are all different, it might make sense to try another one.

Consider someone with a 2-year degree in Liberal Arts and 4 years experience as a junior web designer. She´s been out of work for 4 months since being laid off from a dot-com in the Silicon Valley. Distributing 20-30 resumes per day and visiting local job fairs has resulted in a handful of interviews, but no call-backs. She expanded her job search to the Midwest, researched companies online, conducted a few phone interviews, scheduled several second-round in-person interviews, and made the trip. Within a week, she landed more interviews than she ever had during her 4-month search in the Silicon Valley, and she came back with a job.

Relocation may not be for everyone, but it is an option, especially if you´ve ever considered it. Now might be the right time. That´s not to say that you should pick up and move somewhere just because there might be a job for you there. You still need to do your homework and put in some long hours doing research before you can determine if it´s the right move for you. Before you get serious, consider both the job market and the housing market. Coming from the Silicon Valley to the Midwest can also cause culture shock if you´re not used to the differences in lifestyle.

The internet has a wealth of information about job markets in many different geographical locations across the country and abroad. Of course, many of the corporate career opportunities will be found in the larger metropolitan areas, but there are also other choices. If this is an option you want to consider, make sure to put the time in upfront and do the necessary research about the different locales. Industry, economy and your particular job skills all play a part in your chances for success.