With the national unemployment rate hovering around 9.5%, finding a job can seem like an endless search.
While experts agreed the labor market is less than friendly right now, there are steps candidates can take to increase their chances of finding employment.

“The state of the economy does not indicate how your job search will go– those who get sucked into this kind of thinking generally have a really tough time,” says Meredith Haberfeld, executive and life coach.

Here are some common job-hunting myths that can prevent you from securing a job.

Myth 1: No one is Hiring, so I Shouldn’t Even Bother
While the unemployment rate has steadily climbed over the past few years, the misconception that companies will not hire in tough times is simply not true.
When looking for employment make that your full-time job, suggest the experts.

“Those who recognize that for this time, job hunting is their job and structure their time accordingly and do an incredible job at this job over the long haul do find opportunities,” says Haberfeld.

“These days, it can take anywhere from a week to a year and those who put in the diligent effort day after day and don’t get stopped by set-backs find the right position.”

Myth 2: I just Graduated from College, No one will Want Me
If you’re a recent college grad, you may feel insecure about your lack of experience. Don’t get discouraged-apply to openings anyway.

“To a recent college graduate, the good news is that there has been an uptick in the job market that’s been going on all year,” says J.P. Hansen, author of The Bliss List: The Ultimate Guide To Living The Dream At Work And Beyond.

Haberfeld says if a company is having a hard time finding the right person to fill a position, they will often turn to college graduates they can train on the job.

“Every single field requires entry level employees that [companies] can train and cultivate,” she says. “I have yet to ever find a field where entry-level employees were not needed. Companies rely on that.”

Myth 3: The Best Way to Find a Job is Online
The experts agree the Internet is a good tool to find job openings, but it cannot be your only method.
“[Searching online] can be a component, but overall, get away from the computer,” says Haberfeld. “Talk to people through every phase of your job search and authentically cultivate relationships. This is the single most powerful force leading to successful job offers.”

Career expert Deborah Brown-Volkman points out that every career has an association–get out there and attend meetings or networking groups to meet people. Although you might be nervous at first, keep practicing by talking to people in your field of interest.

If you are a college student, use your available resources-head to the student career center and talk to people.

“It’s the college student that goes in physically, makes a good appearance at the career center, does some research, perhaps looks for an endorsement with the various people in that center who generally can line up interviews, ” says Hansen. “From there, you have a much better chance at getting a job.”

Myth 4: Limit Your Resume to One Page
Not everyone has to squeeze their experience one page, according to the experts.
“For college students, [one page] may be the most appropriate,” says Hansen. “But don’t limit your resume to one page if you have other content.”

Myth 5:  They Have My Resume, They Know My Strengths
When it comes time for an interview, your resume cannot speak for you. You need to be your biggest promoter, so practice your professional spiel.

“Beginning to promote yourself and network on your own behalf is a skill that requires practice,” says Haberfeld. “It’s not comfortable for almost anyone at first, but the more you get out there and do it, day in and day out, and recognize that it’s not some cheesy, fake sales pitch you’re making, but that you’re actually cultivating real connections with people.”

“It helps you to hone your 30-second pitch,” says Brown-Volkman. “You’ll be more effective on interviews.”

Myth 6: Interview Went Well, the Ball is Now in Their Court
After a job interview or initial contact you want to show the employer you’re interested in the job without becoming a nuisance.
“There is a fine line between desperate and desirable–I always say that you have to adapt an attitude of’ I care, but not that much,’” says Hansen. “Daily calls and communications–that’s called pestering. I don’t think it is unreasonable once a contact has been established to look for contact every other week. People that do it daily appear desperate and that’s a knock-out punch.”
Haberfeld suggests following up with a hand-written thank you note.

“It’s all the more valued now in this era of digital communications,” she says. “But after the thank you note and an after-hours voice mail message thanking the interviewers and sharing your enthusiasm for the job, re-focus your energies on building and nurturing your network.”

“Work your tail off,” keep a high profile, and find a mentor, veteran job coaches say

By Carl Winfield

August 4, 2008

These are uncertain times for the U.S. labor market. Companies such as Merrill Lynch ( MER ), Sony ( SNE ) and Alcatel-Lucent ( ALU ), which have either posted losses or greatly diminished profits, are cutting staff as financial pressures mount. And while the U.S. unemployment rate has held steady at 5.5% for the last two months, there are no guarantees that workers—especially those between ages 50 and 60—will be able to avoid further cutbacks.

This does not mean older employees should start looking for positions at the local Wal-Mart ( WMT ) or the neighborhood car wash. Many have experience and knowledge they can leverage to keep their jobs. But with staffing budgets increasingly under scrutiny, it may pay to be proactive. The first and most important move workers should make: Look for new experiences with their current employer.

“People like to do what they’re good at,” says Melaine Kusin, vice-chairman at Heidrick & Struggles ( HSII ). “But it’s just as important to volunteer for special projects and develop skills that can be applied to other parts of the business.”

“Be Visible”

Employees can raise their profiles when they make the effort to join special committees or even help organize a companywide social engagement. “Conventional wisdom may say that you should keep your head down, especially during an economic downturn” says Meredith Haberfeld , an executive coach in New York whose clients include Credit Suisse ( CS ) and JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ). “But my suggestion is that you work your tail off to be visible about the results you’re producing.” Haberfeld also suggests executives toot their own horns.

But other consultants, such as New York-based Dale Kurow, advise executives to be careful about what they say in the workplace. “You want to be the ’squeaky wheel’ in the sense that you’re proactive,” Kurow says. “But if you complain, you’re probably going to be the first one out the door.”

Becoming the life of the party may be a good way to call attention to yourself but, once all eyes are on you, workers have to put up or get shut out. The best way for executives to keep their jobs or move to the next level is to develop an understanding of the whole business, rather than the part that relates only to them.

“You need to take the lid off your thinking and take a look at how what you do relates to the rest of the business,” says Kurow. “If you don’t know how your part in the business is connected to the others, chances are you’re not going very far.”

Cultivate a Mentor

Workers who are more engaged with the day-to-day operations at their companies have a distinct advantage over those clock-punchers who focus solely on the tasks in their job descriptions. But staying in a job is also about building relationships. While it’s advisable to work well with your peers, it never hurts to develop a close relationship with a mentor, particularly with someone higher up who can help keep you out of harm’s way when the axman cometh.

“Partner with the CEO,” says Ana Dutra , CEO of the Leadership Development Solutions group for Korn/Ferry International ( KFY ), “and with the corporate leadership.”

The job market is getting tougher to negotiate for workers in all age groups. But according to coaches like Haberfeld , you can keep your job as long as you don’t mind maintaining a high profile. Establishing yourself as a leader could make the difference between moving up or being moved out.

“The main element in your career plan has to change from doing what you have to do to impress your superiors to doing what you have to do to impress yourself,” says Haberfeld .