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Many job seekers are familiar with the rule of thumb that it takes about one month per $10,000 in annual salary to find a comparable position. But don't be discouraged if by that measurement you would have doubled your salary by now.

If you've been out of work for more than six months, you're
in good company. About 20 percent of the long-term unemployed are professionals and managers, up from 13 percent in 1998, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics figures by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

A long job search isn't necessarily a negative. Employers are very familiar with the economy, so they understand some things are out of the job candidate's control. Employers don't look down on a long job search. What does raise an eyebrow is if nothing new has been added to your experience, such as volunteer work, education or even a job in a different industry.

In a tighter economy, companies in a position to hire want to make sure new employees fit well with the organization.

They're looking for experience, a been there, done that'
mentality as much as peripheral management or technology skills. Companies want to hire a person who can hit the ground running and be productive very quickly.

A long-term job search doesn't necessarily lower the chances of landing your next position but employers will want to know that you have a career plan that guides your decisions during the search.

Candidates should be able to show how and why they've
managed the job search process. Show them you've managed this project like any another project. It's similar in logic to a performance evaluation.

If you feel like your job search is going into over time, follow the professionals'lead: review your game plan, figure out what's not working and make adjustments. A job search plan is important. Job seekers can demonstrate that they know what they want and the steps they've taken to get there. An employer sees that as a positive.

As the search goes on, job seekers should review their career goals to stay the course and avoid making a hasty decision.

Discouragement will set in; it's inevitable. But you have to resist the temptation to accept the first thing that comes along.

Don't be afraid to take job outside of your industry or below your previous level to pay bills and provide for your family. Employers understand that's often necessary.

If you have a stable background with a blip on the resume, taking a job to make money will not be seen as a negative. Employers will

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