Sudy Bharadwaj is a co-founder and the CEO of Jackalope Jobs, a web-based platform that combines search, social networking, and the overall user’s experience to provide relevant job openings. Learn how Sudy and Jackalope Jobs obsess over job seekers by connecting with them on LinkedIn and Twitter.  Sometimes it seems that a job search is a race against the clock: How soon can you get hired? Everyone’s search is different, but no matter what your situation is, there are certain techniques that are guaranteed to push you in the right direction.  Follow these tips to kickstart your job search and be signing an offer letter in 30 days or less.  Organization is key to staying on track (and on time!) in your job search. Keep track of places you’re interested in applying and what step you’re at in the application process. One good strategy is to create an Excel spreadsheet with the following columns: company name, relevant position, link to job posting, materials needed for application, date applied, date of follow-up and notes. This will help you track when and where you applied, help you remember if and when you followed up (see tip No. 5 for more on this), and notes on any feedback from the company. If you’re not a fan of Excel (we understand), try tools like Fresh Transition or JibberJobber, which offer organization and management tools for your job search. This crucial first step will help you get organized and get going on your job search.  The best way to find openings and get hired is to be informed — very informed — about the company, industry and position for which you are applying. Research each and every company and position before applying, and be sure to brush up before an interview. Some great information to find: where the company is headed, what it has done in the past, who was in the desired position before it became vacant, background of the interviewer and anything else that could come up in conversation. Being prepared to answer questions and being informed enough to ask smart questions (remember: always ask questions!) can make all the difference in an interview.  Get on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Yes, social networks can help you snag a job. How? By correctly leveraging social media (in a professional way, of course –- no party pictures!), job seekers can establish themselves as thought leaders in their desired industry, network with professionals who may geographically be out of their reach, interact with companies that are hiring and establish their personal brand. Remember, it’s not enough to have social network accounts –- you need to use them correctly. Connect with companies you’re interested in on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to show your engagement and your social media skills (plus, this will help you get even more details on the company to prepare for an interview).  You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Networking is absolutely, positively crucial to any job search. Sometimes, it’s all about who you know — and who knows you. Use social networks, local professional events and even social gatherings to increase your network and connect with relevant professionals. Remember, with networking, it’s all about creating a mutually beneficial relationship; if you give as much as you take, people will be more likely to lend you a helping hand — and refer you to a job!  When job searching, you can just fill out an application, submit it and wait to hear a response … right? Wrong! Following up is one of the most important steps in a job search. Two important follow-up strategies: One, follow up with a handwritten thank-you note after an interview, thanking the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and reiterating your interest in the position; two, if you haven’t made it to the interview step yet, follow up with a phone call within two weeks of submitting an application to get your name on the company’s radar and check on the status of your application. Following up can be the difference between your resume landing in the “hire” pile and the trash.  Use these five critical tips to take your job search from zero to 60 — in 30 days or less.  How long have you been job searching? What tips do you have from your experience? Tell us in the comments.  Every week we post a list of social media and web job opportunities. While we publish a huge range of job listings, we’ve selected some of the top social media job opportunities from the past two weeks to get you started. Happy hunting!  Image courtesy of Flickr, Juska Wendland
A few simple steps can ensure you're covering your bases and making the most of opportunities -- these tips will get you working, faster.