The labor market has become Darwinian. In the face of the worst economic recession in decades, the new rule has become “survival of the fittest”. With 15 million unemployed workers, the American job market is predicted to get even worse before it gets better.

In these tough times, discouraging news is not difficult to find. The good jobs seem to become more and more scarce, and job-seekers are definitely aware of it. Interestingly enough, experts say that the more job-seekers know about the state of the economy, the worse it can become.
“Job hunters, because they are so fearful and full of anxiety, the way they are approaching job hunting is more off base than ever,” said Andrea Kay, a career consultant and author of “Work’s a Bitch and Then You Make It Work.” Instead of taking the time to strategize about their next career move, job hunters are panicking and making huge mistakes when applying to jobs.

So, how do you set yourself ahead of the competition? Check out these five tips to learn how to avoid the mistakes that many anxious job-seekers make:

1. Mask your desperation – if you’re unemployed, you might be feeling pretty desperate at this point. However, that doesn’t mean that you should grab the first opportunity that presents itself! Remember that YOU are a very valuable candidate with your own unique skills and talents, especially if you have an education! Rather than just applying to any open position, be sure to look for jobs that are best suited for you.

2. Discover additional resources – many great jobs are not advertised on traditional job sites. Instead, try your hand at networking to find your next career connection. Many employers prefer to find jobs through personal connections instead of on the Internet. For job-seekers, this means that you should try to talk to a live human being instead of sending just another resume to their door. If possible, deliver the resume yourself. It shows tremendous initiative and gives the employer the impression that you are genuinely interested in the position.

3. Be prepared for the interview – job candidates need to speak intelligently about how they can make a positive impact on the company. Do research on their products and services before the interview, so you can impress the hiring manager with your knowledge of the business.

4. Respect the office staff – it doesn’t help your cause if you are rude to assistants and secretaries. Hiring managers definitely take their assistant’s opinion into account when considering a job candidate. No matter how stressed or anxious you get, remember that how you act in the front of the office will most likely be relayed to the higher-ups.

5. Tap your resources – many colleges and universities offer some type of free career counseling services. Your school’s career center can put you into contact with alumni in your desired field, list job openings and employers, and help edit your resume. Did we mention that these services are all free?