In today’s ever increasing job market, employment is becoming harder to find. Staying positive has never been more difficult with a national unemployment rate of 9.5%, and even higher, Florida has almost topped the charts with a rate of 12%. More specifically, in Southwest Florida, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Collier County at 12.3% and Lee County at a 13.5% rate of joblessness.

Here are some tips to help any job seeker: First, learn to sell your value. Know your strengths, skills, and accomplishments and use them to create a personal marketing plan. Second, keep yourself energized. Job searching can be exhausting, so to stay positive, create a practical plan. By staying practical, you will be able to stay the course without losing hope and will eventually achieve your goals. Third, activate and build your network. Research has shown that more than 60% of all jobs are found through networking. Finally, be sure to utilize your local staffing and employment agencies. Never underestimate the power of local resources.