This week, I'll tackle three common job search problems sent in by readers, in hopes the answers will help you find your ideal job faster.

These tips come from my client files and will work in today's job market--or any other.

Problem: "I'm not finding enough job listings in my field."

Solution: There are two ways to fix this: Look for job listings differently and look in niches.

First, if you're having trouble finding suitable jobs online or in the newspaper, try searching for a broader range of job titles. Example: instead of looking for "sales rep" openings, expand your search to include "account executive," "sales/marketing rep," "client service representative," etc. Start broad and winnow your list down.

Second, look in smaller niches. That's because most people limit their online job search to just a handful of well--known, monstrous Web sites. But that's where all the competition is.

 

Instead, create a list of "niche" job sites by going to Google.com or Alexa.com and typing in the following: "YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs + YOUR CITY/STATE" without the quotes.

Examples of the specialized, "niche" job sites a quick search turned up:

If you're a Catholic, there's www.catholicjobs.com.

If you love baseball, there's www.baseballjobs.net and even a site for MINOR league baseball jobs--www.minorleaguebaseball.com/jobs.

If you want a job as a chef, there are www.finediningjobs.com, www.chefjobsnetwork.com and many, many more.

Your aim in searching niche employment sites is simple: Look for jobs where you have less competition.

Problem: "I'm lacking a job search strategy. I need a methodology to help me target the right position and company."

Solution: Briefly, you should write your job search objective down, schedule your activities, then "meet" with yourself once a week to assess your progress.

Now, the details.

First, write down EXACTLY what kind of job you are looking for. Include the title, the three main skills involved, and at least three companies you'd be happy working for.

Then, schedule your efforts for the rest of today and this week. Set specific, measurable goals for each day. Example: "I will apply to five jobs online and three from the newspaper, call five networking contacts, set up one networking lunch, and call to follow up with five employers I applied to last week."

Finally, hold a 15-minute weekly "meeting" with yourself (or with a friend) and answer these three questions:

1.What did I do last week that produced job leads? Do more of it.

2.What didn't produce leads last week? Change it or stop doing it.

3.What will I do next week? Schedule the next seven days to make the best use of your time.

You'll be pleasantly *shocked* at how the act of writing this all down will crystallize your thinking and focus your efforts. Doing so takes only 5-10 minutes a day, which means you have no excuse not to.

Try it. Today.

Problem: "How do I create a résumé that's not simply a summary of past work?"

Solution: Most résumés fall into this trap. I call them "tombstones"--long, dry lists of names, places and dates that spell death for your job search. Why? Such résumés fail to answer the one question every employer has in mind: What can you do for me?

To answer that question, and instantly improve your résumé, you must tell employers--specifically--what you've done before. This means your résumé should focus squarely on RESULTS.

If you weren't fired in your first 30 days at your last job, congratulations! You were either making more money or saving more money than they were paying you in salary. This is axiomatic.

And it means that measurable results lie hidden--right now--in your work history. It's up to you to dig them up and stick them in your résumé, using specific dollars, percentages and other numbers.

Here's an example of how to describe results you've produced on the job, taken from a business analyst resume I wrote.

BEFORE

Planned and managed operating budgets.

AFTER

Cut costs by 21.5% during tenure, reducing annual supply budget from $120,000 to $94,000, while increasing accountability. Planned and managed $3-million operating budgets.

See the difference? (That client did - she got two job offers in one day.)

Now, go out and make your own luck!

Kevin Donlin owns Minnesota based Guaranteed R&#233sum&#233s and writes a biweekly column providing job search and r&#233sum&#233 writing advice. Reach him at the Guaranteed R&#233sum&#233 Web site: http://www.gresumes.com.