A well thought out, concise marketing plan is an essential part of your successful job search! A solid, detailed plan forces you to focus and direct your job search; ensures that you are covering all methods; keeps you aware of how much work you have to do, and evaluates the quality of your efforts.

Your marketing plan is a dynamic, action oriented plan that helps you set realistic and meaningful daily, weekly and monthly goals. This plan is critical to your career management program.

One: The resume
Of course, bring a couple of copies, and be sure to read your resume before the interview, so you're completely familiar with everything you've written. Nothing is more embarrassing (or potentially fatal to your candidacy) than being quizzed on some aspect of your background that appears on the bottom of page two -- and not being able to remember the details.

Offshore outsourcing, particularly in the area of information technology, has been a sensitive subject of much debate over the last decade. In fact, in many cases the coverage of the issue has risen to near hysteria. While U.S. companies make efforts to remain competitive in the global economy, questions arise over whether these gains are being realized or whether these firms are, in effect, outsourcing our country's ability to remain a leader in technological innovation.

Despite what job boards will tell you, posting your resume online is not right for everyone. Deciding whether or not to post your resume on a major job board will depend on your unique situation.

If you have a good skill set, a stable work background and can afford to be selective in looking for the right opportunity, use caution regarding "continued" posting. A well-planned, targeted approach to your job search will serve you well. At the very least, follow the advice of Careerbuilder.com and make your posted information "confidential" or "non-searchable."

You held out for more than the company wanted to pay. Now get ready to suffer the consequences.

Among the "me" generation, it's fashionable to try to get all you can. This seems especially true when candidates negotiate new pay packages. Even when prospects say compensation isn't their first priority when evaluating job offers - ranking it below challenge, opportunity, chemistry, and other factors - pay always seems to rise to the top during the final discussions.