Dear Sam: I was just laid off and do not know how to even begin a job search. What should I do to get my search off the ground? — Ron

Dear Ron: I’m really sorry to hear of your layoff. Let me outline the critical steps to get you started in the right direction:

1. Define your purpose. Deciding what types of opportunities you want to pursue is the most critical step to ensuring a targeted and effective search. Do not get caught conducting a general search, which will only result in watered-down results. Instead position yourself for something — not everything — and be strategic with where you send your résumé. Conducting a targeted search while reducing the number of positions you apply for will yield stronger results and a higher average-return rate.

2. Develop a great résumé. Once you have defined your target, create your résumé, infusing it with language found in job postings of interest. When considering your target audience — the hiring managers you are trying to attract — make sure you are speaking their language. To do that you need to know what you want to market yourself as and translate your past experiences — and this is the key to an effective résumé — to create a strategic image of what you have done that positions you for what you now want to do.

Speaking the right language means that you will be incorporating appropriate keywords and phrases to secure the attention of your target audience. Keywords are simply the skills, experiences, abilities and credentials your targeted hiring managers are going to be seeking. If you have defined your purpose, and are qualified for the jobs to which you are applying, incorporating those keywords will come naturally in the presentation of your background and key qualifications.

Do not forget to develop a unique aesthetic that reinforces the tone of your candidacy. Do not use old formats, instead check out recently written books, websites like mine, or create something from scratch to showcase a little personality on your résumé, all working with your content to differentiate your candidacy.

3. Create a strategic job-search action plan. Now that you have defined your purpose and marketed yourself on paper, begin to outline where you are going to look for a job. Do not get caught in a rut of simply applying for jobs on the open market, instead leverage networking, prospecting, referrals and job-search events as additional elements of a multipronged distribution strategy.

4. Track and follow up. Create and maintain a job-search journal tracking your search. Print out every job you apply for, noting why and when you applied, why you would be a great fit and when you followed up on the opportunity. This tool will become invaluable during your search, not only serving as a resource when a potential employer calls you for an interview, but also as a tool to reflect on the effectiveness of your search.

5. Be positive. Remaining positive is critical in conducting an effective job search. Find a support system to keep you on track, accountable and optimistic. 

Many associations have job-transition groups where you can network with like-minded professionals — many of whom are still employed — to gain insight into value-added distribution opportunities. Continue to reflect and refine your approach and search strategies until you see responses, remembering that targeted searches generate the strongest results.

Samantha Nolan is a certified professional résumé writer and owner of Ladybug Design, a leading résumé-writing firm. Do you have a résumé or job-search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at dearsam@ladybug-design.com. For more about Sam’s résumé-writing services, visit www.ladybug-design.com or call (614) 570-3442 or 1-888-9-LADYBUG (1-888-952-3928).