Build value even before the interview and you are guaranteed to be using the most effective tactic to secure the optimal position.

Step 1: Revise your old ideas about job searching and commit to a step-by-step value-building process. There will always be the desire to just blast out resumes, believing that the new or revised resume will pre-sell you and the phone will be ringing off the hook. Many of us had previously used this method successfully, years ago, but the market has changed.

Take responsibility for doing this right. No one is going to "get" you a job. Develop and hold yourself accountable for a marketing plan, complete with objectives and timeframes.

Step 2: Identify what you enjoy doing and what marketable skills you bring to the table. Ask yourself, "If money was not an issue and I had no family responsibilities, what would I do?"

One of our senior executive clients responded to this question with, "I like wine." After a deafening silence, we learned that he was actually a wine connoisseur; a certified expert in every area of winemaking, from growing to bottling. We found a way to turn this hobby into a partnership at a winery desperate for his executive talents, where he eventually exceeded his original executive salary while enjoying a higher quality of life.

Step 3: Identify and target ten companies that are large enough to afford your salary and have a need for your skills. Confirm decision-maker names.

Step 4: For the 10 target companies, research their competition, the industry, and any market changes that could affect business. Have real-time alerts delivered to your email or cell to keep up with breaking news.

Annual reports are among the most valuable and easily attainable of all resource documents. Typically, they will have information on threats and legal issues, as well as vital accounting data and expansion plans. You can also receive stockholder information.

Step 5: Research the opportunities. Look for movement and follow the money. New contracts, announcements of new products and services, awards, grants and relocation can be found in many trade journals.

Step 6: Based on your research, develop a finely-tuned letter to each decision-maker and a promise to follow-up next week. Since it's not a resume, it will not be automatically sent to HR by either the gatekeeper or the decision-maker. It will get through.

Make sure all your written materials, including resumes and letters, are professional in design and incorporate proven styles that speak properly to your target employer's needs.

Step 7: Follow-up. Persistence is a fine quality in a potential staff member. How you perform in your job search is a strong indication of how you will perform as an employee.

Step 8: Turn the interview into a business discussion. Be prepared to show a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the company and the industry.

Get the job offer *and* eliminate the competition, leaving the company with no viable second option. This increases your negotiation position.

Step 9: Negotiate. It's expected! Perceived value is increased by negotiating. Many doors of opportunity will open within the firm if you are viewed as a tough negotiator.

Step 10: If you were unable to secure an offer, use the experience as a networking opportunity. Owners and VPs know other executives. "Who do you know?" might be the most rewarding question of the interview.

You started the career search campaign as a person of value as opposed to a desperate, hat-in-hand person. You bypassed HR and connected with a decision-maker that could understand your worth to the firm. You showed expertise in your area and a global understanding of the business. You negotiated a higher salary, more perks, larger benefits, and a title two levels higher than what you expected.

You are exactly where you want to be. Get focused and create success. Become the Rookie of the Year! Now is the perfect time to keep looking for the next better opportunity, either inside or outside the firm. Manage your career or someone else will do it for you!

Ok, so the economy is down (maybe even in a recession), you are $20,000+ dollars in debt with student loans; you are flat broke, and the only thing that you truly posses is an expensive piece of paper stating that you are an educated individual. You have just spent the last four plus years studying topics ranging from Chemistry to English to Math to Psychology. The only problem is that through all the tests and assignments, no one has told you what to do after you graduate from college. Here are four simple steps that you can take to help you transition from being a broke college graduate to a successful individual with a career.

The first step in determining your future after college is deciding what you want to do for a living (if you know what you want to do, then you can start heading in that direction). This decision by far is the most difficult and challenging step. Make sure you spend adequate time investigating the career field you want to go into and make sure it will fit your personality. Don't get caught in the trap of just wanting to make money, you should truly find a job where you like to be and enjoy doing what you do.

The second step is determining if you should further your education in order to be proficient in your career field. For example if you want to be a medical doctor, you need to continue on to medical school; if you want to be a successful business man, you should get your MBA from a University; if you want to be a teacher, you may want to think about getting your Master's degree in education.

Ultimately you must decide if furthering your education (post bachelors) is cost effective in determining your future positions. It has been determined that the more education one has, the higher salary that individual makes. Remember that no matter what you do, people at the top in every career field always make a pretty penny.

The third step is preparing to enter into the career field of you choice. During this step, you should polish up your resumes and letters of recommendations. You may want to even investigate the companies you are applying for and determine if their standards will work for you. The important aspect of this step is that you adequately prepare for getting interviews, performing well through the interviews, and getting the job in you career. Remember that most post-bachelor graduates don't gain the job of their dreams right after school. Almost everyone has to start off low on the totem pole and work their way upward. The key is just breaking into the field.

The forth and final step is being flexible. If you can't break into the field, don't give up: be persistent. Get to know people in the field and shadow them if you need too. Once again, at this point it's not how much you know; rather, who you know. Be a likable character and people will want you as their co-worker or maybe even boss. Also know that most employees that graduate today will change jobs and even careers numerous times through out their lives. Be flexible and learn as much you can about learning new tasks/jobs. Flexibility (learning new jobs or tasks) is a huge asset/benefit to have in any career field.

All in all, we live in a world of constant transition and change. Graduating from college and shifting into the working field is no easy task. Preparation and flexibility is the key into making this transition flow smoothly. Good luck on your ventures and know that you are not alone.