Finding a job in a bad economy

Everyday it seems businesses are laying off hundreds—even thousands of people. The unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in almost 15 years. If you’ve found yourself with a pink slip, here's what you need to know.

1) Make friends….fast

In this competitive job market, it’s who you know. Not what you know. About 80 percent of jobs are obtained through networking, according to Anita Attridge of the Five O’Clock Club, an outplacement and career coaching company. So, your first step should be to reach out to professional organizations in your industry. Another good option here: your college’s alumni directory.

2) Boost your profile

Make sure that your image on the web is accurate and highlights your best work. Check out Ziggs.com, where you can post a free professional profile on the site. If a recruiter is looking for a job candidate online, your name may just pop up at the top of a Web search. You'll be sent an e-mail alert if someone clicks on and views your page.

Sometimes, your professional profile is already online, without you even knowing it. ZoomInfo.com scours the Web, press releases and business Web sites for your professional information.

3) Prioritize

Sifting through large Internet job sites is unlikely to help you out very much. Sure, they’re well known. But everyone and their brother are looking at those postings. Don’t send a resume that’s more than a page long. The shorter and cleaner your resume looks—the better. And finally, don’t forget who you sent your resume to. Keep a list of names and contacts. After a few weeks, it’s harder to remember exactly where you’ve applied if you’ve sent out dozens of applications.

For more of Gerri's Top Tips, watch CNN weekdays at 11:15 am Eastern Time.