In today's current era of technology, social media, choppy economies, and 14-year-old executives, it pays to learn the job search process. Anyone, whether employed or not, can benefit from learning how to streamline the job search process. With over 40,000 websites and companies competing to offer job search services, it is easy to get confused. Career websites are set up so that you can submit resumes electronically to businesses. Applying for jobs takes time, and landing one is really a numbers game. Almost all potential jobs can now be examined, located, and applied for from the comfort of your own home. However, it would make since to streamline this process, wouldn’t it? Follow these simple steps to learn how to manage your time and resources in an effort to get more interviews.

1. Write Down your Goals

Before even writing a resume or applying, write down your goals. One of my favorite managers once told me that if I don’t write down my goals, I’ll just be helping someone else achieve theirs. Decide what you want, write it down, and create a plan to get what you want.

2. Get a Resume and Cover Letter

If you are a great writer, then writing your resume manually may be ok. However, if you think about the cost/benefit analysis of purchasing a resume, it really makes since to invest in a custom resume written by a professional. This could be the difference between two jobs and up to, well, infinite salary differences. Most services are less than $70 (one time fee). There are numerous experts that say a cover letter is imperative. Most resume services will write a cover letter with the resume you purchase. Then all you have to do is change the company and contact name in the letter. Another reason to use a professional resume service is because they know how to write resumes integrating all the right keywords in all the right places.

3. Research Companies

Research the companies for which you want to work. When interviewing it is always better to keep focused on the company and how you will solve its problem. Nonetheless, don’t sell yourself short. Research some companies. Browse their salaries, eligibility requirements, and locations. This can be done at many different sites. The easiest and quickest in my opinion can be can be viewed right here.

4. Get Organized

When you find a job of interest, be sure to make a list of their contact people/capacities and email them with your resume directly if possible. If there is a phone number, pick up the phone and call the headhunter. Log everything. You never know when HR will call; you will look really good if you know something about the representative. Also, it pays to be in the front of the line. I remember when I worked in internet sales. I knew that if I received an internet lead and didn’t respond within five minutes, my chances went down the toilet because 8 other salespeople had already contacted the buyer, talked about dogs, kids, cupcakes, and by the time I called I received either a "click" or a cold shoulder. Another trick with email contacts is the subject line. Just think about why you open emails. I often used a subject line like this "Benji needs to speak with Sandy ASAP 888-454-8888." With smart phones the recruiter will often be curious and shocked and just press the number and call you.

5. Submit your Resume

This is by far the most important step. Most of the time, jobs will find you, not the other way around. I made a huge mistake once. A recruiter found my resume in a database. They had sent me an email to an email address I rarely used needing someone with my credentials ASAP. I found this email two months after they sent it to me. Hundreds of thousands of headhunters are prowling these databases daily trying to find talent. I have found a secure, free service that will make your resume viewable to 40,000 different job boards and hundreds of thousands of recruiters. This cuts your job search time down exponentially. The job board is currently one of the largest in the world. and the database is secure.

These five steps, if followed, will guide you to an interview. Always remember that your thoughts control your destiny. You have to be positive and patient. In sales I was always ultimately selling myself. I would always look myself in the mirror everyday and say, "you are a great person; I’d buy you; you are one step closer to your next sale; and this is your big day." You can do it. Always remember, if you don’t respect yourself, no one else will.