A poor economy can make job hunting difficult, but it is not impossible. If you are dedicated to finding a job it can certainly be done, though it will take a lot of motivation and determination. Proper planning and organization will be lifesavers in a job hunt, especially when hunting in a bad economy.

Be fast.

Potential employers are getting so many responses to their "help wanted" ads that they don't have to wait very long to get a handful of resumes in their mailbox. Speed is the name of the game when it comes to job hunting in a poor economy. Be one of the first people to send in your resume with a quality cover letter and you will likely be asked to come in for an interview. You will have to scour the internet and the newspaper on a daily basis, but your diligence will surely pay off.

Be better.

Be a better candidate than your competition. This is true in any job hunt, but is especially true in a poor economy. You will have tough competition, but don't let that deter you. Instead, use that knowledge as motivation to put your best foot forward. Dress professionally even when you don't expect to be interviewed. Have an impeccable cover letter and a professionally written resume.

Have a great resume.

A resume is your potential employer's first glimpse at who you are as an employee. In a good economy, an average resume would likely land you several interviews and would suffice. Nothing could be further from the truth in a bad economy. In a bad economy you have to have a professionally written resume that will exemplify the attributes and contributions that you can bring to your potential employer. Workshops on resume writing are available at many job fairs, unemployment offices, and libraries. If you have tried to write a resume yourself and struggle continuously, you may want to consider hiring a professional to write your resume.

Keep your cover letter short.

In good economies it made sense to write a long, detailed cover letter. However, in a bad economy, potential employers are getting so many applications and resumes in the mail that they simply don't have time to read a novel of a cover letter. Keep your cover letter concise to ensure that your letter gets read.

Be remembered.

Make sure that you stand out against your competition. One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that you are remembered. Attach a picture to your resume so that your potential employer can attach a face to the name. This will mean that your interview will actually be the second time that your potential employer will have seen your face. Be sure to follow up your interview with a thank you note dropped in the mail the day of your interview, or the day after at the very latest. This will ensure that your name is seen again and will keep you as a fresh candidate in your potential employer's mind.