Hi Mandy--
I don't think it's so much that you are going about it the wrong way, but there may be strategies you can add to your search to make it more effective.

I agree with with Ms. Careers--make sure your resume is written to match what the posting indicates they are looking for. That way you stand a better chance of not being overlooked, or making through the dreaded database search.

And I also agree with Infernactual: there's tremendous value in going directly to organizations you are interested in working for. And, frankly, I'd do it whether or not they have a posted opening.

Even though the job market has picked up, believe it or not, there are still jobs that are available that aren't being posted. And, many times, those that are posted already have candidates in the queue. Doesn't seem right, but that's the reality.

In the last 2 weeks I've had 2 clients land positions for which there wasn't originally a posting. In one case, the position was going through the approval process when my client 'happened' to contact them (he got the job!); in the other case a contact helped them get an informational interview with a person, who ultimately took interest in them and created a position.

Targeting and networking (that dreaded word!) were what made the difference for both of them.Add these proactive strategies to your current ones, and you may see a difference.

Good luck to you, Mandy!

Ms. Careers is right on with all her advice. The electronic resume processing thing is used everywhere but small companies (I designed one of them in a former life). That means listing things like word processing, project tools, scheduling, invoice mgmt, etc. is all good stuff to include.

The other thing to keep in mind that is the job market is the most imperfect market on the globe. That means that who you know is still more important than what you know and that timing is everything. The good news is that you only have to get the one job and that it's one of those things that can turn on a dime. It only takes one!

Since who you know is still more important than all the other stuff put together, it's worth devoting a good amount of your time to talking to anyone you ever met and meeting anyone who might be able to help. Employers "know" that they get the "best" people through references and they hire those people faster.

The process, as you well know, is the worst, most disheartening thing to do. So reward yourself along the way in any way you can. Set a goal (e.g. talk to one new person every day, email 5 people, etc.) and then do something you like at the end.

Best of luck. I hope it happens v. soon.