Top 5 Ways to Jump Start a Stalled Job Search

1) Have your resume critiqued by a professional and certified resume writer. Ensure your self-marketing materials are promoting you in the most up-to-date manner with a spotlight on your proven results.

2) Seek out a career coach for a "career review." Most career coaches offer complimentary initial consultations. If you see the value in this service, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results you can get when you create a strategic career plan.

3) Get out of the house at least 3 times per week! This is critical - I know you've heard this before, but MOST jobs are landed through networking. Just as in dating, they don't come knocking on your door.

4. Make yourself "findable" on the Web. Write professional articles and publish them; post to a variety of professional boards (not just job search boards); and start blogging in a professional and informative way (beware of your digital dirt!).

5. Assemble a core support team of colleagues and friends on whom you can count to 1) introduce you to key people, 2) notify you of job openings in your field, and 3) offer you cheese to compliment your "whine."

6) I know, I said 5 ways, but this is a bonus I just had to add. TAKE CHARGE! It is possible to control your own job search instead of turning the reins over to recruiters and hiring companies. How? Get proactive by developing a lifelong career plan that includes an interactive/reactive/proactive network of the "right" people in your field. Don't fall into the trap of "career by default" instead of by choice. Instead, imagine your career as a chess game. Each of your moves is strategic and critical to your success.