tar-get noun….a goal to be reached; a specific item or destination aimed for.

In today’s highly competitive and rapidly changing job market, it is critical to be precise. KNOW the job you are applying for and do not just send out hundreds of resumes to any and every company. You MUST have a target job – something that BEST fits your experience and qualifications.

Here are 10 smart tips to get you started.

10 Smart Job Search Tips by http://www.localjobspost.com/10-smart-job-search-tips

 Getting stressed over your job search? Spending hours a day on job boards and job search engines looking for leads can get tedious and disheartening. If you’re feeling job search burnout it’s time to search smarter, not harder, for the leads you’ve been missing. Here are 10 ways to search smarter instead of harder for better leads.

1. Realize that leads are everywhere. It’s time to get offline and start utilizing your in-person connections to improve your job leads. Being vocal about your job search turns every interaction into potential for expanding your network, and networking is still the most successful job search method for getting a foot in the door beyond an application. The more people you talk to about your target companies, desired industry, and qualifications, the better chance you have of getting a recommendation that can land a new job.

2. Use job search engines for research, not just job search. Job search engines can be a goldmine of industry research. You may find companies advertising that you didn’t know about before, in addition to learning more about industry standard qualifications for the job title you’re seeking so you can better target your resume and cover letters.

3. Don’t skimp on applications. Pay close attention to every job opening you apply for. Blanketing employers with a standard resume and cover letter will accomplish little more than wasting your time and energy. Instead, read qualifications carefully and tailor your resume and cover letter to showcase the specific skills and experience an employer desires.

4. Research, research, research. Find out all you can about the company before your interview. Beyond reviewing your new employer’s website, perform a web search to find more news about the company and what other people are saying about their products, services, and place in the industry. Doing your homework shows the employer how eager you are about working for them.

5. Don’t forget that employers also research. Just like job candidates research employers before an interview, employers use each candidate’s web presence to influence their hiring decisions. Make sure your online presence is professional and that personal, potentially damaging posts and photos are set to a “Friends Only” privacy setting on your profiles to maintain the professional public image you present to employers.

6. Make a quick impression. Hiring managers are often so overwhelmed with applications and resumes that they only spend a few seconds glancing at the first page of your qualifications. It’s important to make your pitch and present your best qualifications as efficiently as possible to avoid getting overlooked.

7. Carry yourself professionally. When you finally land an interview, show respect for the interviewer’s time. Punctuality leaves a bigger impression than you may realize, as does treating everyone else you interact with politely and dressing appropriately for the office environment.

8. Show your enthusiasm for the position offered. If you don’t act interested, the employer has no reason to offer you the job. Showing enthusiasm with in-depth research about the company and industry and highlighting how your qualifications can specifically benefit this company instead of their competitors will indicate to your interviewer how invested you are in this job.

9. Stay focused on your current target. If you’re trying to land the job, don’t get ahead of yourself by negotiating benefits and vacation time. Focus on getting the job offer first, then engage in fringe benefits discussion.

10. Always follow up. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition, send a follow-up thank you note. It shows professional courtesy for the interviewer’s time and demonstrates your level of interest by keeping communication open.