That's a great question... and one for which there is no "magic"
answer. But if you're in the job hunt at this point, you might
swear that the process seems to be taking longer than ever
before.

At the heart of the problem is the fact that most companies
receive unprecedented volumes of resumes in response to any job
posting. In other words, the popularity of Internet job search
is at least partly to blame for extending the job search process.

However, even seasoned professionals and executives using
targeted networking and other types of job search methods are
finding their quest is ongoing. Some prominent studies suggest
that a job search will take one MONTH for every $10,000 of
salary.

What's a well-qualified candidate to do?

Here are some ways to gauge how long your job hunt might take,
and some methods to start addressing it-—long BEFORE
frustration sets in:

1 - First assess the factors that may affect the duration of
your search. In particular, the amount of time you'll need to
invest will be largely dependent upon the following:

- Your qualifications for the role you seek vs. that of your
competition

- The industry in which you may be limiting your search

- Economic conditions affecting demand for your skills or within
your industry

- Any factors that play into selection by recruiters (an
unfinished degree, frequent job changes, short tenure at your
current position, etc.)

- Any other mitigating circumstances, such as large numbers of
people exiting your field (such as in the mortgage or
construction industries) or relatively high pay for your career
goal (including the field of pharmaceutical sales) that
encourages applicants to flood employers with resumes

- The type of job search you conduct (i.e., online only or using
networking to expand your options)

- Your level of preparation for the job hunt itself

While a few short years ago, candidates could call a few
recruiters and quickly line up interviews, hiring
authorities—-and systems—-have become increasingly
particular about the content of your resume.

Spend extra time developing one or more resumes (and cover
letters) that concisely reflect your career goals, keeping
length to two pages or less (C-suite candidates may need three
pages). Be sure to address any potential issues in your work
history, such as gaps in employment, potential age bias, or
other issues, as the payoff can be significant.

2 - Next, take a look at your methods, and expand them beyond
Internet-only search.

Online search efforts CAN be fruitful, but for many applicants,
the low rate of return (anywhere from 4 to 18 percent) can
severely limit your success.

There are numerous ways to expand your search beyond the
Internet. For example, look at professional associations as a
source of networking. While each organization is different, some
conduct in-person meetings frequented by recruiters.

In addition, take a look at the social networking sites,
including LinkedIn, Ryze, Naymz, Plaxo, Twitter, FaceBook, and
others. Maximizing your connections and availability on these
sites can put you in front of hiring authorities-—plus
give you another avenue to search for job postings.

Don't forget about using recruiters. If you haven't found a good
source in your industry, simply google to find recruiting firms
that specialize in your field.

Think of professional recruiters as another networking source
that you must cultivate and manage; after all, they're in front
of employers constantly and can let you know of great insider
opportunities.

3 - Last, revise your thinking about job hunting itself.

A successful search is no more than a means by which to spread
the word about your leadership qualifications. Job hunters who
embrace technology and the latest wave of search techniques are
actually CREATING demand for their skills, using a combination
of viral marketing and online networking.

Tools such blogging for your area of expertise, or creation of a
web portfolio that allows the reader to drill further to get
more detail on your accomplishments are part of the emerging
"job search 2.0" movement.

In essence, the theory is that the more you establish yourself
as an expert in your field, the easier it will be to have others
pursue YOU for your unique capabilities.

In short, while some facets of a job hunt may be beyond your
control, you CAN significantly cut down the amount of time
needed to find your next opportunity by using the most
productive search methods, and developing a business presence
that can catapult the ROI for your efforts into high gear.

About the author:
Certified Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach Laura
Smith-Proulx is the Executive Director of Executive Resume
Expert (http://www.executiveresumeexpert.com ) and An Expert
Resume (http://www.anexpertresume.com). Published in six career
bestsellers, she is a former corporate recruiter who has
achieved a strong success rate winning interviews for executives
by presenting a compelling leadership brand.