1. Network, network, network, why? Your former colleagues and industry peers who will notify you about job leads before they go public. Your contacts are more influential in making sure you’re on the radar of people who have access to the kind of jobs you want. The majority of jobs are never advertised—online or anywhere.

2. Try to be as flexible as you can. Consider contract work, part-time work, or starting at a lesser salary than you were hoping for. It gets your foot in the door for other opportunities later.

3. Build credibility in your field and set yourself apart from the competition. Volunteer your skills for a community project, participate in an online forum, create your own blog, write for an industry trade journal or a newsletter.

Take advantage of social networking sites. Personally, I love LinkedIn. But also, use MySpace or Facebook as part of your networking tactics. Just be careful to keep it professional.

4. Offer to help others. Give an invitation to a lecture or a link to a website that might be of interest

5. Always be prepared. You never know when or where you may meet a prospective employer. Keep your resume updated and on your memory sticks and an email versions of your resume on your Blackberry, iPhone or Nokia smartphone.

6. Pinpoint the hot sectors in Lyon There are jobs in demand even in a job market that is a little bit soft. Some of those careers are in demand because they require specific training that can take as long as six years to obtain. (For example, healthcare, telecom, high tech, teaching)

So think outside the box and stay positive as attitude and personality can make the difference between you and another candidate for the same job position.