The nation’s tough economic times have left countless people unemployed and looking for work. For many of them, rejoining the work force may seem like one of the most difficult transitions in life. However, if you find yourself re-entering the job market, by preparing appropriately and attacking the search smartly, it will not be as intimidating as you might think.

While the nation’s unemployment rate is the highest it has been in over 25 years, companies are still hiring selectively. The jobs are out there, but many are not being advertised. It’s been reported that only about 20 percent of the potential job market is advertised to the public at large. That means the vast majority of new hires find jobs through networking connections, by having a contact who introduces them to a potential opening. This “under-the-radar” world of recruiting is often referred to as the “hidden job market.” It’s in the hidden job market where prospective employees are most likely to find a new job. Therefore, job searching efforts should not be focused on the job boards, classifieds or relying on recruiters, corporate Web sites or other sources where competitors are also searching, but aimed at establishing relationships with individuals likely to provide access to a new job lead before the job is officially announced.

For candidates returning to the job market after a period of absence, the first step toward being competitive is often getting past computerized or human gatekeepers. One of the reasons why re-entry candidates face a daunting job search is that companies and search firms use automated candidate screening and recruitment processes to triage applications and resume submissions. These computerized systems don’t accommodate for and can’t appreciate exceptions, so re-entry prospects may be eliminated before any human actually evaluates their application. Given the obvious employment gap, re-entry candidates will rarely be included among a short list of candidates matching an employer’s ideal requirements.

So, how do you get from where you are now to where you want to be next? The preferred job search method is the same as ever: connections. Networking is the means to a swift, successful landing. However, after a prolonged hiatus, once reliable contacts may have lost their value or left the field. Freshly minted re-entry candidates rarely fit the perfect candidate descriptions listed in advertised job postings. Rarely are these under-the-radar candidates sought out by search consultants or recruiters to fill openings for exacting corporate clients.

Jumpstarting a search campaign requires designing and purposefully creating a new network of relationships. In today’s competitive and risk-averse job market, networking purposefully is the solution to finding a new position that matches your requirements for personal, professional and financial rewards. The critical element for success is getting attention now and then being remembered by hiring decision makers affiliated with appropriate opportunities. You must carve a direct path to senior management and then present a remarkable and memorable value proposition fostering a meaningful dialogue about mutual interests.

An effective technique for boosting your potential is having an inside contact at the company personally usher a candidate through the corporate maze. As a prospective employee, you must convey to this intermediary your unique value contribution and encourage this contact to champion your interest up the ladder to a hiring decision maker, not just HR. A personal recommendation goes a long way to grab attention. Then it is incumbent upon you to follow up personally and interact directly to nurture a relationship with the hiring authority to develop trust and prove ability.

Too often, networking contacts are inaccurately valued as isolated interactions. In fact, networking is about relationships, not only a transaction targeted to a single position. Beyond an immediate job offer, a positive impression might yield still more networking referrals that will produce more potential job leads. Think of each contact as exponentially increasing a your reach to hiring decision makers and new career opportunities. Networking has multiple benefits: getting up to date on the industry, developing influential relationships, acquiring insights from the employer’s perspective, and gaining knowledge to focus on target employers most likely to be interested what you have to offer.

Just attracting a hiring decision maker is not enough, staying visible is just as important because organizations are dynamic, and new opportunities are constantly resulting from restructuring, vacancies, retirements,  and so on. With patience and persistence, continuously developing and nurturing key networking relationships with contacts affiliated with target companies is the surest way to find a job. If you have a break on your resumes, personalized introductions can explain unusual circumstances and pave the way for meaningful dialogues with prospective employers.

After getting comfortable with a your abilities, an employer may decide that a formerly imperfect prospect could be a great employee for an opening — or they may even create a new job just for you. Notably, the ideal candidate and the ideal employee may be different. Only the hiring decision maker can bend the requirements, reorganize resources and do what it takes to make an offer. That’s why connecting with the appropriate inside authority is key to generating a new career opportunity, whether a job is advertised or part of the hidden job market.

For re-entry candidates, here are some tips to accelerate your job search progress:

• Differentiate and specialize within a niche expertise to attract more attention. Trying to be something to everyone often results in being nothing to anyone. Illustrate capabilities with concrete solution examples. Support extraordinary skills and talent by highlighting compelling achievements that overcame sizable challenges.

• Target specific industry niche employers able to appreciate your background and recognize complementary background and qualifications.

• Put skin in the game. Show confidence in your anticipated ability to deliver with a heavy portion of performance-dependent compensation.

• Show. Don’t tell. Unmistakably prove expected/required strengths to persuade decision makers. Voluntarily prepare presentations, white papers, garner support from references, and so on. Increase visibility and credibility: publish, comment on blogs, post on listservs and forums, attend and present at conferences.

• Initiate contact and stay connected. Identify key players, obtain recommendations about who you need to know, research speakers' trade publications and online resources, then connect with current industry thought leaders. Cultivate relationships that are likely to generate job leads, increase credibility and provide future mentoring.

• Communicate your value with consistent messaging. Resumes, bios, online profiles, quotes must all tell employers about your potential contribution, while reinforcing your trustworthiness and highlighting your strengths. Demonstrate that you are the first choice, go-to expert.

• Connect with “insiders,” individuals affiliated with target employers. The best way to be one of the first to learn about and be presented for an unadvertised opportunity.

• Be bold. Be persistent. Network Purposefully to make new contacts designed to enhance job searching results. Networking is about relationships not single-use and then forgotten transactions.

•  Think positively. Job search is a marathon not a sprint. You should be screening prospective challenges as carefully as employers investigate new team members.

• Give back. Make introductions when you see synergy. Contribute advice, help and counsel before being asked. Networking is not just for job searching.

• Initiate contact directly with hiring decision makers. Call outside typical business hours. Use snail mail creatively to attract attention. Leave enticing voice mail messages communicating what is in it for the employer. Leave them thinking that not returning the call would be their loss.

• Follow up on connections. Be courteous and respectful while persevering leads to new opportunities. If you aren't persistent, some one who does follow through is likely to get the job offer that is perfect for you.

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