Being prepared for a successful job search requires more than just a good resume, business card and a detailed idea about what your perfect job would look like.  Although those things are good and necessary, creating a successful job search requires the job seeker to be prepared.  

1.    Be prepared for a long job search which could last from 8 months to 1 year.  The latest news reports are finding that the average job seeker is still looking after 8 months, which takes us to our next point.

2.    Be financially prepared for your job search. Many job seekers did not expect that their job search would take as much as a year so many have burned through their savings and are now desperate to find ANY job even if it's low-paying and not in their field.  Don't put yourself in that situation.  If you have the savings and/or unemployment insurance do your best to conserve your financial resources for as long as possible.

3.    Don't procrastinate. Some job seekers may believe that they've been searching for work for 6 months; but often the reality is quite different.  If you find that you have only sent out 10 resumes in 6 months that means that you are not aggressively searching for a job.  If you are currently unemployed treat your job search like a full-time job.  Get up everyday and look for a job, send out resumes, attend networking events, meet with a recruiter and track your progress.  Writing down what you actually did will keep you honest.

4.    Develop a "game plan."  Take some time out and schedule out exactly what you will be doing in terms of searching for a job during the coming weeks and months.  Create a strategy, schedule networking events, meet with a recruiter and set weekly/daily goals.