It’s no secret that the economy is tough right now. Many people, including those with a lot of experience, are having a difficult time finding work. Even though the job market is grim, you can’t give up. If you put enough effort in, you will eventually land your dream job. Here are some job search tips that you should follow.

Use Your Connections

By now, you have probably heard that it is easier to get a job if you know the right people. Well, that notion couldn’t be truer. In today’s economy, you are much more likely to obtain a position if you know a person who works for the company. That is why you need to use your connections. For example, you can ask one of your former classmates from college if there are any open positions in her company. If there are available positions that you qualify for, she could put in a good word for you.

Take Advantage of LinkedIn

If you don’t already have one, you should definitely create a profile on LinkedIn. This social networking site not only posts jobs; it also allows you to connect with former coworkers and classmates. For instance, you might come across someone you worked with 15 years ago on LinkedIn. You can reconnect with her and ask if there are any open positions in her company.

Brush Up on Your Interview Skills

In today’s tough job market, it is more important than ever to possess good interviewing skills. If you have not interviewed in a while, you should practice. Consider doing a practice interview with a family member or friend. At the end, she can give you feedback and tell you on what you need to improve on.

Narrow Your Options

There are thousands of jobs posted online every week, so you have to narrow your options. Job search sites provide filters that help you refine your search results faster. You can narrow your jobs by industry, region, salary and even company names.

Do not get discouraged if you don’t find a job right away. If you follow these helpful tips, you will be working before you know it.