How to get out of an unemployment rut

Pittsburgh, Penn. - Coming off a year of stagnant wages and minimal opportunities for advancement, it's no surprise that financial security tops many Americans' wish lists for 2012.

Charles Purdy, career advice expert for Monster.com, said a sense of helplessness, particularly for the long-term unemployed who have been on the hunt for months, could take those who believe they've tried everything they could out of the market completely.

Purdy, who has experienced long-term unemployment himself, said there are several techniques that job seekers can use to sell themselves that often go unexplored. He outlined a list of five controllable factors that anyone hoping to enter the job market in 2012, or any year, should include in their list.

"Oftentimes people who have been unemployed for a long time or stuck in a job rut for a long time feel there's nothing they can do. I want to tell these people I know it's difficult, but you haven't tried everything yet," he said.

-- Limit resolutions to short-term obtainable goals.

One mistake that derails many job seekers before they even start the search is setting abstract goals that are too large for them to conquer, said Purdy. He said goals such as "getting a new job" or "getting a promotion" would be better served if individuals examined what specific actions they can take to bring them to fruition. "Sit down and make a realistic plan for how you're going to achieve the long-term goal of getting a new job or a promotion," he said.

-- Assess skills gaps and limitations.

Years spent out of work or in a position with little variation can make it difficult for any candidate who wants to compete with someone who is fresh out of college or who has an updated certification. Purdy said job seekers should assess their skills and knowledge gaps to decide what type of education or professional development can help to take their careers to the next level. "Even if it's taking classes in Mandarin because the company has an office in China, you have to think of ways to make yourself attractive to a new company or your current employer," he said.

-- Check and revise job-seeking material.

Beefing up the resume and putting together a solid cover letter are staples of job-seeking behavior, but job seekers should make sure they're customizing materials for every position they apply for, said Purdy.

-- Improve quality of professional networks.

Now more than ever, it's not what you know, but who you know that makes the difference that can lead to a job. One of the best ways that job seekers can get their names out to leaders in a chosen field is to make better acquaintances with their colleagues. In addition to pursuing local and national professional organizations, Purdy said job seekers should use social-networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to connect and should look into smaller, niche professional organizations.

-- Become valuable within your network.

Establishing contacts is one thing, but building actual relationships with those contacts that make them comfortable enough to vouch for you professionally is key, said Purdy. Become active within professional organizations in a way that stands out.

"Build a basis of good will that can be traded on later," he said.