Guess what, there are actually some pretty good jobs out there chasing a select group of people. Surprised? So were the executives I spoke to that are getting the calls.These executives all have certain things in common. They speak on industry panels, are quoted in industry trades and/or have built top notch professional networks. This group may not be smarter or better qualified than others whose phones have been noticeably quieter, but they made sure to manage their career visibility. Now it’s paying off.

As fortunate as this group is, they are confronting real issues as they decide on next career steps. How long do they have before the calls stop coming in? How do they juggle opportunities without losing some along the way? And should they compromise on title and salary?

Timing. My observation is that most job prospects surface within the first four weeks. By the three-month mark, things quiet down considerably. At six months there’s likely to be another “pretty face” that the market is courting.

It can be hard to decide what to do as things are coming at you. Try to qualify your interest in jobs right away. Make time for meetings and phone calls. Keep an open mind. Even if something doesn’t sound quite right, you may change your opinion when you find out more

Salary. Determine a reasonable salary range. But keep in mind if retailers and home sellers are adjusting prices downward, you can bet employers expect job candidates will be willing to as well. It’s likely some of the jobs you’ll be contacted about will fall too far below your bottom number. You may want to eliminate those as long as you have other good options. If every job you’re getting called on is below your goal, better consider rethinking that range.

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First of all, you don’t have to talk. You can save your voice and begin your job search with email. Not only is it a great first point of communication, but you can always backspace if something doesn’t come out just right, an option the phone never offers.Depending on your level of seniority, my advice on reaching out to let people know you’re in the job market is slightly different.

The more senior you are, the fewer the job opportunities, the more important it is to develop a job search strategy. You’ll probably need to rebuild a strong resume, and put some time into how you are going to “market” yourself. But don’t wait until all of these components come together before tapping into contacts. Get on the computer now.

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As long as you plan in advance, you both do.As the Chinese proverb goes, “preparedness prevents peril.” Whether we’re in an uncertain employment market or not, be sure to keep copies of important information that you’ll need at your next job. I’m not suggesting you take anything that would put you in a legal quagmire or be considered proprietary. But take the basics. Your contact lists are a must, as well as presentation templates and other items you may want to have in an interview.

It was no surprise that lay-offs were in the works across the media landscape. Companies announced their plans in the press, and some even provided timing. But people were still blindsided by the bad news.

One of the results: They lost access to their computers with their contact information and a variety of other documents that could be useful in the future.

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The unlucky person charged with telling you that you just lost your job probably feels pretty low for having to carry out that task–especially at this time of the year. But how does that help you? Read on.

Sure, your boss may offer up a heartfelt apology at the time that he or she delivers the bad news, but a simple ‘sorry’ isn’t going to solve your unemployment problem. What you’re looking for is something more tangible that will put you on the path to finding your next job. The time to ask for help is now.

Your ex-boss is probably feeling guilty or remorseful–or hey, just plain sympathetic. In another month, he or she is onto the next set of challenges and the window to ask for help may not be open nearly as wide.

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