Someone we know described the feeling he had the moment he was told he was being laid-off a few weeks ago.

‘My ears started to ring, my chest got tight and everything around me seemed to fade into the background. It was as though my world stopped for a moment. I was numb as I went through the motions of listening to the woman from human resources explain my termination and eventually heading home. Two weeks later, the fog still hadn’t lifted. It’s hard to get a job search organized when you feel as though you’re under water.’ If you are one of the many unlucky Americans faced with a pink slip, don’t despair. Although it may seem like one of the worst times of the year to be income-less it’s extremely important to stay as optimistic and organized. If you take a few steps to stay organized in the job search and use your strengths to your advantage you will be more likely to impress employers and get a new job quickly.

Alicia on ‘To Take a Pay Cut or Not to Take a Pay Cut’

‘This is not a fun topic to deal with or discuss, but unfortunately, many companies are still hiring but paying lower salaries than even a year ago. Since the available jobs are few and far between right now, it’s important to take opportunities when they are available to you, even if it is for a couple of months until you can find something better. A friend of mine, who happened to be a recent grad of the University of Michigan, was struggling in his jobs search. No one would hire him for a livable wage. After weeks of looking, he finally took a job that paid less than he truly needed just to relieve some of the financial pressure. Five weeks later, he was hired by the same company in another, better paying position. The moral of the story: it is possible to go farther, faster if you take a lower-paying job and prove yourself as a valuable team player in the first few months.’

Sarah on ‘The Network Effect’

‘It might be a dog-eat-dog world, but dogs do run in packs and the ‘who you know’ definitely has an impact on getting a foot in the door or even hired. Contact friends in your child’s school, your religious groups, your recreation groups, or even friends from your old job who might have friends whose company is hiring. People who can pass on your resume or put in a good word for you can give you the boost to get hired over someone else. Also, if you use social networking sites, like facebook.com, contact people who are in a similar profession, even if you haven’t talked to them in a while. Everyone is impacted by this economy so you never know what an old friend might be able to help you with.’

Here are three tips for tackling the job search process.

#1 Organize Your Resumes
Since most employers don’t have the time to read more than one page of a resume, you need to make sure you are putting your best foot forward for each employer. That means presenting each employer with a resume that highlights the specific experiences, skills and certifications/awards that are most relevant to the job at hand. Also, always take the extra time to write a cover letter as well. It shows you care about the position and are a dedicated worker. For resume and cover letter writing help, visit the career sites like Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com.

#2 Check Out All Career Sites
Job boards can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to leave no stone unturned. Search the local newspapers for employment, mass search engines like Monster.com and Hotjobs.com, and do a Google search for ‘career fair ____ (insert your city in blank)’. In addition, many people don’t realize that a single job posting can cost a company up to $800 dollars on sites like monster.com. Therefore, small to mid-sized companies often post jobs on sites like craigslist.com or online versions of the local paper. The only thing to be on the lookout for: fraud and scam posts.

#3 Tap Into Hobbies
Do you post a blog for fun regarding one of your hobbies? Do you play a mean guitar? Freelance jobs like blogging or music lessons can be a great way to make some extra money while you are looking for a new job. You can find freelance jobs on craigslist, and even post your services there too.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the working world, or hunting to further your career somewhere new.

The job search can quickly turn into an overwhelming and frustrating experience. You have so many choices to make regarding potential employers, location, salary, benefits, and, and that’s before you’ve even started applying! Then you have to deal with resumes and interviews and acceptances and rejections…it’s a rollercoaster that is both terrifying, but potentially very rewarding. While it seems there is no getting around the madness, there are ways to help stay focused and find that perfect job without losing your confidence or your sanity.

Alicia on ‘Confidence’

‘Throughout your job search, the one thing that has a tendency to wane is confidence. A bad interview or a rejection, even something as small as an unreturned call, can have you over-thinking your qualifications. One thing to that’s important to do before you even start your search is to try and get a clear understanding of your strengths as a potential employee. Are you a numbers person? A people person? A risk-taker? By really figuring out who you are and what you have to offer, you’ll not only discover if you’re a good fit for a company, but, more importantly, if they’re a good fit for you.’

Sarah on ‘Timing’

‘They say timing is everything, and when you’re searching for a job, it couldn’t be more true. While employers are always on the lookout for great people, certain times of year tend to present more job opportunities, as well as better access to the people doing the actual hiring. The holiday months are busy and tight, with employers focusing on getting through the end of the year with the people they have. The New Year, however, usually brings new budgets, and new positions, so be ready to make a resolution to get out there and pound the pavement!’

While the road to a new job may seem long, here are a few shortcuts.

#1. Connections
Sure you can spend your days combing the classifieds and posting your resume online, but sometimes the best jobs are the ones that don’t ever make it to the public. By letting as many people as possible know that you are looking for a job, you open up a whole new set of employment possibilities inaccessible to other job seekers. The best part of these ‘word-of-mouth’ jobs is that, while they expand your search, they also come with built-in recommendations from whoever referred you, and you’ll get an insiders take on what a company is like before you interview.

#2: Know Your Needs
Finding the right job starts with deciding what the wrong job might be. Narrow your job search before it even starts by making a list of your job priorities, from least flexible to ones you could waver on depending on the opportunity. How far are you willing to travel to work? Do you want a 40, 60, or 80 hour week? What benefits are necessary? By prioritizing your needs, you’ll be able to eliminate certain jobs from the start and be able to focus your search on the ones you really want.

#3: The Right Resume
Fitting your life on one piece of paper can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re simply handing it off to someone without an interview to back it up. One thing most people don’t understand is how flexible a resume can and should be. A resume doesn’t have to be all facts and no fun. Before sending it to a potential employer, try and cater it to both the job you’re applying for, as well as the company’s personality. Whoever reads it will get to know not only what you’ve done, but also how you want the world to see you.

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts!