Getting a job can be a daunting task and may become discouraging if prospective employers aren't responding to your inquiries. However, when applied, the strategies detailed below will improve your chances for success in every aspect of the job search. It may take some time, but vigilance and perseverance will improve your chances of finding and landing the job that's right for you.

Looking for a job can be overwhelming, but you can improve your chances of finding job opportunities by networking and by visiting online job sites and career centers. The important thing is to keep looking and not get discouraged.

The most important tool in your job search is your resume—it is your way of introducing yourself and making that all-important first impression on your prospective employer. Your resume and the impression it leaves on the person reading it will determine whether you will move on to the next step in the hiring process—the interview.

1. Before you begin, consider looking at other resumes to get ideas. Online job sites such as Monster.com have collections of sample resumeshttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Resume-Samples/jobs.aspx
2. Study the job description or advertisement and try to incorporate the same keywords into your resumehttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1060-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-How-to-Write-a-Winning-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9/?ArticleID=1060&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=44b41dd5a2834c02a948b464463c1a92-298413473-wp-6
3. Don't just list experience and skills; detail how your skills and experience are applicable to the job you are applying for and how you will benefit your prospective employerhttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/How_to_Write_a_Resume_That_Gets_Interviews__2004524-1238.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics
4. Avoid using buzzwords, jargon and vague languagehttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Words_That_Weaken_Your_Resume__20031021-1652.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics
5. Be truthful! Although it is tempting to lie or exaggerate on your resume, if will be embarrassing and damaging if your future employer discovers your deceithttp://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-1325-Cover-Letters-Resumes-Six-Serious-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9-Blunders/?sc_extcmp=JS_1325_advice&SiteId=cbmsn41325&catid=CL
6. Ensure that your resume is attractive and easy to read. Don't overdo it with different fonts, italics or underlining, use bulleted lists to make it easy to scan, and use white space to break up large blocks of texthttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Resume-Writing-Tips/Resume-Look-Important-as-Content/article.aspx
7. Try to limit your resume length to one or two pages by including only key informationhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1060-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-How-to-Write-a-Winning-R%C3%A9sum%C3%A9/
8. Proofread carefully before calling the resume finished. Even one spelling or grammatical error can stand out and reduce your credibility. Ask a friend or family member to read over your resume to ensure it reads well and lacks errorshttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/How_to_Write_a_Resume_That_Gets_Interviews__2004524-1238.html?subtopic=Resume+Basics

For a more detailed description of the different types of resumes, when to use them and how to create them, see Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Resume.

A cover letter is a complement to your resume—an opportunity to further highlight your skills, show enthusiasm about the job for which you are applying and demonstrate your communication skills. Although some may argue that the cover letter is superfluous, research shows that the majority of executives believe that it is an important part of the job application process. Unless the job advertisement specifically states otherwise, it is best to be safe and include a cover letter with your resume.http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-1047-Cover-Letters-and-Resumes-When-You-Need-a-Cover-Letter-And-When-You-Dont/

1. As you did when creating your resume, study the job description and highlight skills and experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for
2. Format your cover letter as a professional business letterhttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/Avoid-7-Killer-Cover-Letter-Mistakes/article.aspx
3. Minimize your use of the word "I." Although the cover letter is about you, it should not be autobiographical, but should emphasize how your skills will benefit your potential employerhttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/10-Cover-Letter-Donts/article.aspx
4. Be polite: Thank the reader for his or her consideration in your closinghttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/10-Cover-Letter-Donts/article.aspx
5. Don't simply repeat the information in your resume—go into greater detail about how your skills will benefit the company. You can also provide a brief anecdote about how you effectively solved a problem or benefited a past employerhttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Five_Common_Cover_Letter_Mistakes__2003228-1318.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters
6. Do not allow the length to exceed one pagehttp://career-advice.monster.com/resumes-cover-letters/Cover-Letter-Tips/Avoid-7-Killer-Cover-Letter-Mistakes/article.aspx
7. Proofread your letter for typos and ask someone else to do the samehttp://hotjobs.yahoo.com/resume/Do_Cover_Letters_Really_Matter__20021115-1038.html?subtopic=Cover+Letters

For more information on cover letters and thorough instructions on how to write a great cover letter, see Mahalo's guide on How to Write a Cover Letter.

Once you've impressed your prospective employer with a well-written cover letter and resume, the next step in landing yourself a job is the interview. Although interviews can be nerve-racking, you can ease your stress level by being well prepared for your interview.

1. Research your prospective employer before attending the interview so you can demonstrate knowledge of the company and its industry during the interview. You can further impress by asking an informed and insightful question about the companyhttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Do-Your-Homework-Before-Interview/article.aspx http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
2. Be prepared and practice: There are some general questions that many employers ask during an interview, such as: "Tell me more about yourself," "Why do you want to work here?" and "Why did you leave your last job?" Know how you will answer these standard questions before going into the interviewhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
3. Dress appropriately: A general rule of thumb is to dress more formally than you would if you were actually working at the company. If you're not sure what the company dress code is, there's no harm in asking the person who contacts you regarding the interviewhttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Appearance/Appropriate-Interview-Dress/article.aspx
4. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
5. Try to remain calm. Although you may be nervous, try to maintain an outward appearance of confidence by not fidgeting, looking the interviewer in the eye, smiling and practicing good posturehttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
6. Answer the interviewer's questions completely but concisely, and provide specific examples when highlighting your skills and experiencehttp://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/Interview-Preparation/Job-Interview-Pointers-Fogarty/article.aspx
7. Even if you feel as though you have blown it, your interviewer may not. Keep upbeat and don't allow mistakes to throw you offhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-925-Getting-Hired-Making-the-First-10-Minutes-of-an-Interview-Count/
8. Be yourself: Avoid coming across as robotic or overly rehearsed when answering questions. Allow some of your personality to shine through and, if and when you sense it's appropriate, bring a sense of humor to the conversationhttp://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-924-Getting-Hired-Strategies-for-Successful-Interviewing/
9. Always thank the interviewer for his or her time

For further information and more tips on successful interviewing, visit Mahalo's guides on How to Prepare for a Job Interview and How to Dress for a Job Interview.

Once you have found a job opening that you really want, it is advisable to follow up with the prospective employer if you haven't heard back regarding your submitted resume or job interview. If the company has decided to hire someone else instead of you, ask why if you feel it's appropriate. Listen carefully to any feedback you receive and apply what you have learned to your next application.

Like any other skill, the more you practice job hunting and everything that comes with it, the better you will become at it.