Here are six key mistakes that job seekers keep making during this down economy:

1. Sticking to a job search routine that isn't working.

Often, job seekers will spend all of their time looking at job boards for listings and e-mailing resumes in response. Then, when they don't find anything, they give up. This strategy typically doesn't bring positives results by itself. While it's important to search all the top job boards, you also should be spending your time networking and staying up to date on your industry trends. Just remember, if your current strategy isn't working, it's probably time to retool your approach.

If you're in a highly competitive field, for example, you may be one of hundreds of applicants for a job that's posted on a prominent site. You can reduce the competition by posting your resume on niche job boards and searching business journals for companies that are expanding and contacting them directly. Or perhaps you can sign up with a recruiting firm to learn about jobs that aren't necessarily advertised.

It may be that you need to look for a different type of job, or in a different industry or city, as well. Don't pigeonhole yourself in your search. Be as open-minded as possible.

2. Appearing defeated or desperate during the interview.

Sometimes there can be a fine line between someone who is aggressive in their job search, and someone who is desperate.

It's smart to be somewhat aggressive and go a bit out on a limb. That could mean following up with potential employers after you've sent a resume, asking your contacts for help (politely, of course) or even offering to work for someone on a trial or temporary basis while you both evaluate whether it's a fit.

Desperation consists more of attitude than actions. Try to maintain a sense of self-confidence and remind yourself of your self-worth. An extended job-hunt can take a toll on your self-esteem, but you want to project a positive image during an interview. Try not to be too hard on yourself and keep as positive of an attitude as you can.

3. Being inflexible in your job search targets.

Creativity is essential in a job search, and often that entails being able to envision yourself in new roles. This might include targeting jobs in other cities where your industry is more active, looking for project work, or considering jobs that aren't ideal but you think you would be good at.

4. Not following up with potential employers.

While you don't want to be a pest, it's often wise to follow up with employers who you don't hear from after submitting a resume.

Whether communicating in writing or over the telephone, job seekers should demonstrate their knowledge of the company while reinforcing their qualifications and sincere interest in the position. This extra step can give professionals a significant advantage over less-proactive candidates

5. Having an unflattering digital footprint.

Think your friends are the only people who viewed those less-than-professional vacation photos you posted online? Think again. With a few mouse clicks, potential employers can dig up information about you on blogs, personal websites and networking site profiles. Make sure you do a thorough self-search and take any necessary corrective action.

6. Being caught without networking business cards and an updated resume.

Make it a point to never leave your office or home without business cards and an updated resume. It doesn't matter whether you will be in a business or personal setting. You never know who you will meet and when you will need to give your business card and resume to someone.

 Working for Less: When It's OK to Take a Pay Cut

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

Salaries, like the stock market, are taking a beating in the current economy, and that has people puzzling over changes in pay. Workers who've been laid off worry their salary history will eliminate them from job opportunities in this new budget-conscious business environment. Those who still have their jobs are sometimes asked to take a cut in salary, with or without a cut in responsibility.

As the economy changes, so do the rules about salary. "In the boom times, taking a pay cut was looked at askance -- that you did something wrong in terms of career development," says Michael Zwell, PhD, CEO of organizational development consultancy Zwell International in Glenview, Illinois, and author of Six-Figure Salary Negotiation: Industry Insiders Get You the Money You Deserve. "Now, you have a strong case to make if your company made significant cutbacks and you took a job that, given the market, was the best available job to support your family."

Recruiters agree. "Given the economic climate and white-collar and blue-collar job loss, it's going to become more acceptable for people to take pay cuts and it won't have the negative stigma that it would if we were in a growth period of the economy," says Brendan Courtney, senior vice president for recruiter The Mergis Group in Fort Lauderdale.

Sometimes taking a salary cut is definitely the right career move. Here are five situations where that is the case.

1. You Just Need Work

If you're out of work and you need money to pay the bills, it's better to take a lower-paying job than to have no job at all. "There are fewer jobs out there and you may not only have to take less money, you may end up having to take less job," Courtney says.

2. You Move into a New Industry

When a job change forces you to take your expertise to a new industry, you may have to accept a lower salary. The same applies when you take your industry knowledge to a different company area.

For example, if you sold software to human resources departments and you take a new position selling software to medical offices, you'll lose your industry expertise but keep your functional expertise. If you move from sales to operations, you'll lose functional expertise, but keep your industry expertise.

3. You Change Careers

Some laid-off workers will find their next job in a completely new field. "If you do that, you're going to have to take a pay cut because you typically aren't worth as much in your new career path as you were in your old career," Courtney says.

4. The New Job Makes You Happy

Having a job that satisfies you is far more important than how much you earn, says Maggie Romance, director of organizational development for Pima Community College in Tucson. She found happiness by trading a six-figure job putting out HR fires for a hospitality corporation for her current, lower-paying position doing staff professional development. "If you find the right match, the money doesn't matter as much," she says. "It's about the happiness."

5. To Keep Your Current Job

Forced to choose between taking a pay cut or losing your job? Take the pay cut and look for another job. Employers typically prefer hiring someone who's employed to someone who's not.

Perform well despite your lower pay, and you'll build a case that supports giving you a raise when the economy recovers. "It may take two jobs and a recovered economy to get all the way back to that higher salary, but you can at least make a significant leap toward it if you perform outstandingly," Zwell says.

Moving On

Once you've agreed to work for a lower salary, issues will arise. If you have to do the same job for less, your first challenge may be emotional. Accepting a lower salary can be difficult if you hang your self-worth on the size of your paycheck.

Instead of thinking about salary as a measure of your worth, think of it as what the market is willing to pay for your skills, knowledge and experience at this point in time, Zwell recommends.

The new, lower salary will also become a part of your salary history when you apply for your next job. When salary history questions arise, answer honestly. "No one needs to apologize for the fact that they made a lot of money before," Courtney says. "If you were in a field that was negatively affected by recessionary events -- say you were an investment banker at a large firm and now you're at a small firm -- it's expected and accepted that you would take a pay cut."

And remember that time heals at least some paycheck wounds. "In prior recessions, there are a couple years where salaries become depressed, then they get back up to the norm within a year or two after the recession ends," Courtney says. "While you may not make up the whole gap between what you were making and what you are now making, you will end up closer to where you were than where you are now."

(Monster.com)

 Top 10 Ways to Use Social Media to Give Back to Your Network Social networking is not just an opportunity to take - it's a powerful chance to make yourself useful to others who can help you down the road.
If you're in the midst of a job search, you know that networks are important. Powerful. Essential. Most jobs are found through some kind of networking contact, so bolstering your relationships with all members of your network must be among your first priorities as you pursue your next role.
Effective networking is all about giving. And although the holiday giving season is far behind us, when it comes to your network, giving is a year-long activity.
One of the best gifts you can give to members of your network is help in building their personal brands. When we make others look good, we look good - to them! So consider these free or very low-cost, Web 2.0-focused personal-branding presents. It's time to demonstrate your personal-brand attribute of generosity and your knowledge of social media.

Here are my Top 10 tips:
Remember, networking is all about giving; and during this recessionary period, helping people with their personal branding is a valuable and appreciated gift.