Many people now find themselves thrust into the job market, whether by choice or by circumstance. Some have enjoyed long tenures in stable companies, until now. Others are career changers, taking advantage of new opportunities in these challenging times. Increasing numbers are heading back into the job market after long absences, seeking financial security, healthcare benefits and the need to feel productive.

If you find yourself in the job market, you know how overwhelming it can seem. You may be in a quandary about how to find the right work, a situation that will support your contribution and serve you well. The secret is - a sound work search strategy, consistently applied - works. Using the best new online and traditional resources will shorten your search. Endlessly trolling the large online job boards to the exclusion of other effective methods is not a sound search strategy.

While the work search is definitely a process, it is also a project with a beginning and an end. Between these points is a critical path, the sequence of activities designed to enable you to reach your goal in the shortest time.

Your watchwords are Explore, Discover, Focus, Target.

• Explore your skills, talents, preferences, and the organizations that might be workable for you. Establish your strategy and the tasks that will help you work your plan. Identify several companies. Research them. You will find greater focus as you go through this process. Target those companies that are attractive to you.

• Use multiple methods in your work search — networking, exploring Internet job boards and online research sources, attending professional association meetings (and joining where helpful), registering with recruiters, and approaching employers directly. Recruiting has changed with the new technologies. Take full advantage of powerful Internet tools, including social networking, RSS news feeds, email alerts, electronic newsletters, blogs and online groups.

• Approaching employers directly, either through referrals or direct solicitation, nets a far better return than just replying to advertised job listings alone.

• Learn to source and research potential employers, but take care not to become a professional student of online job boards. Take action based on your research to keep moving forward. Small steps are okay!