Network, Network, Network: Almost everyone interviewed placed this at the core of the job search. Talk to friends, family, former colleagues, church members, online groups, alumni from your high school or college. Join community groups and volunteer organizations. Don't be shy. Let people know you're looking. "You have to have people in your corner, which means going to their corner," said career counselor and author Adele Scheele.

And don't forget the neighbors. A study recently released by Duke University found that neighbors are important sources of job referrals. The study, published in last month's issue of the Journal of Political Economy, found that people who live on the same block are more likely to provide job referrals to each other than to people who live on nearby blocks.

Alssid pointed out that Rhode Island's compact size and relatively dense population provides a natural advantage when it comes to networking. "I've only been here for a year and a half, and I've come to realize there really is just a degree or two of separation between people," he said. "It's perfect for networking."

Be Flexible: In a depressed job market, you might have to be willing to change your location, what industry you work in, and what duties you perform. It might even be necessary to take a job that doesn't quite match your dreams.

"You might have to take a job you don't really want ... sometimes the perfect job, and the passion and purpose, will have to wait," Scheele said. "You still have to feed yourself. Try to do it in the best spirit you can. Do it without loathing. And build yourself up for the better job, so when the right job comes along, you're ready."

Challenger said job seekers shouldn't get tied into just one industry. It's the job function that defines what we do, he said, not the industry where it's being done. You should also consider expanding the geographical area of the job search, he said. Thanks to the growing popularity of telecommuting, that might not necessarily mean having to move.

Be Prepared: Research and preparation can go a long way toward a successful job hunt. Sarikas said job seekers should identify the kinds of positions they want, figure out where those positions might be available, and then research those companies so the job pitch is on target. Know what the company goals are, where its growth is coming from and how you can contribute. A key part of research, job experts say, is to find the person who actually does the hiring for the job you want.

"Think of it as a marketing and sales campaign," said Natusch. "It's not a personal thing. It's business." But Natusch said the sales process still requires a personal touch. "Nobody ever hired a job application. Nobody ever hired a resume. There's a personal element involved. You want a job in a restaurant? Then go to that restaurant."

Harden also said job applicants need to be able to market themselves. Perhaps your skills are not a perfect match with a particular job. It might still be possible to persuade them that the skills and experience you do have are transferable to the new job. Harden recommended that job applicants go on as many interviews as possible. Many people haven't been on a job interview in decades, he said, and a little practice never hurts. ("That first interview can be very intimidating.") Plus, he said, you never know what an interview can lead to. Maybe you're not right for one job, but your interviewer just found out about another one that would be a perfect fit. Maybe you can find out what other people in the same industry are doing.

Don't Lose Heart: "A depressed economy can create a psychological depression as well," Alssid said. "People need to realize there are opportunities out there, and then figure out a way to find them."

Scheele recommends finding a "job buddy" -- someone, outside your family, whom you can contact every day to go over the job search. The contacts don't have to be lengthy, Scheele said, but they can go a long way in relieving the isolation that people sometimes feel when they're looking for work

Natusch said that, just because the overall economy is down, doesn't mean that jobs don't exist in Rhode Island. "Companies are still out there. The world hasn't come to an end. Companies are still doing business, and some of them are still growing."

"No question the job market in Rhode Island is bleak,

and the projections

are bleak."

Originally published by ANDY SMITH, Journal Staff Writer.

(c) 2009 Providence Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

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