Thanks to the electronic age, it's possible to send out hundreds of resumes a day --- and some people do.
"That's like throwing a handful of darts at the board and hoping something will stick," said Ann Perry, director of university career services at Georgia State University. "If you want to land an interview, you've got to target your efforts and aim for the bull's-eye."
"The biggest mistake of job-searchers is the failure to generate smart search activity," she added. "Employers often complain that applicants are unprepared to talk about how their background fits the job or would be an asset to the organization."
Smart searches begin with a self-inventory, Perry said. "You have a unique combination of skills, knowledge areas, experiences, interests and personality --- that's what you bring to the market. Knowing that helps you determine the jobs that are your best fit."
Gayle Oliver, president of Execume, an Atlanta-based resume-writing and career management company, likens becoming "corporate-attached" to the dating game.
"If you want a successful match, you need to make a list of what's important to you in a job. Commit it to paper," she said. "Many matches don't work because of the corporate culture rather than the skills. The title may say 'sales manager,' but if you're a maverick who values his freedom and the company likes control, you're headed for conflict and divorce."
You can research companies and organizations on the Internet, but you also can talk to people inside the company through friends of friends to learn more about the job and the organization's values.
Networking is old-fashioned, but it's still the best way to get your foot in the door, according to Robert Zuckman, president of Zenergy Interactive, an Atlanta producer of career-coaching software.
"Most jobs don't get listed on jobs boards. They're filled from within or through personal references," he said. "When someone in the company is willing to recommend you and personally hand your resume to the employer, you've made the hirer's job easier. You've given him a credible source and a reason to call you, but you need to give your source a reason to help you. Tell him what you can do and how it would benefit the company."
Zuckman encourages job-seekers to expand their networks by telling everyone that they are job-hunting.
"Be specific about what you are looking for and what you can do. Prepare a 30-second personal mission statement you can pitch in an elevator and a five-minute version for airplanes and cocktail parties. You never know when you might be talking to someone who knows someone looking for your skills," he said.
Zuckman once landed a job interview over drinks with friends because he could relate his mission.
Whether you're replying to an ad or a friend's tip, you'll need a resume that stands out. When you send it electronically, Perry suggests using the e-mail to which it's attached as a cover letter, giving good reasons why the employer would want to meet you. Follow-up calls can show initiative, but be respectful of the person's time.
Resumes come in "chronological" and "functional" formats and everything in between. Books have examples, but a professional counselor may help you see key points about your experience. Oliver said you want to organize "your corporate story" so that it is dynamic, impressive and easy to read.
A tagline above your name --- "a business development executive with 25 years' experience" --- can be effective, Zuckman said, but "be honest. Hiring managers do background checks and call references."
A career summary will give employers the big picture fast. For example: "An executive with 20 years in the banking/financial investment industry with management positions in mergers and acquisitions and SEC reporting seeks CFO position."
"You want to put your most important accomplishments up front, to tell people what you have implemented or changed, and what you can do for them," said Kerrie Mayberry, owner of A Perfect Resume and Career Training Services in Clayton County. "You're selling yourself, so make it easy to buy."
"The resume must be well-designed and error-free. Don't just use a template; use categories that fit your experience and skills," Perry said. "The closer you target the resume to the job, the better, so have different resumes for different kinds of positions."
Zuckman noted that the first electronic screening may be for keywords used in the job description. If you want to make the cut, make sure your resume includes those keywords.
Another popular screening method is the five-minute telephone interview to set up interviews.
"Many applicants don't expect this and aren't prepared," Mayberry said. "Keep your resume handy. Employers want to hear how you communicate your goals and skills. Show excitement. If you've got the skills and they hear energy over the phone, they'll want to meet you."