Timing is everything. Each day I receive scores of job announcements through the various professional association lists I am subscribed to. We may read news about the economy reporting things to the contrary, but there are jobs out there- lots of them. Problem is, there are still more people available to fill the good ones than there are great opportunities.

What does that mean for you? It means the early bird catches the worm. Make hay while the sun shines. Get busy. Whatever you need to hear to get up and get going the minute you receive a lead or a job posting, because chances are, 100 people already have. A delay of 24, 48, or 72 hours could be the difference between your being noticed and not. Oh, and by the way- just because a job posting has an "open until" date indicated, does not mean it really will be open that long in all cases. There is nothing stopping many employers from reviewing the first 100 applicants, finding 10 great ones, and saying "that's enough. We don't need to look any further", unless they are bound by law (government employers) or contract (government contractors) to consider all that apply. Of course, they can say they received and read all 900, but really- what are the chances that ALL the great candidates are being carefully considered?

There is an added dimension to this timing issue. It amazes me how many people I watch each week, who wait until the minute before the deadline to submit, or ask for help the day before something is due, even though they may have had weeks of advance notice. Better still, are the numbers that actually miss deadlines all together. Really? Yes, really. Makes me wonder: would they have missed their plane if headed out on vacation? Think that through. Planes don't wait for regular citizens. And employers don't need to in this market either.

The key to being able to quickly respond is very simple. You need to be prepared for anything. Here are some very simple, basic ways that can happen:

Have a Solid Network - The best way to succeed in capturing the attention of a prospective employer is to know what they need and provide proof you have it. Unfortunately, this information is frequently not contained in the job announcement. Knowing all you can about an organization before you see a posting, or having access to people who do when you are caught with limited time, is one way you can get a jump on the competition. Additionally, your network should be advising you of upcoming openings before something actually hits the press. If your network isn't providing the information you need, is it because they are unclear about what you are really interested in (or competitive for), or have you not made enough of an impression for them to think of you at all?

Clear Communication - If you are a job seeker, you need to check your email EARLY in the morning, and frequently throughout the day. Checking for the first time at 11:00 AM means you are hours behind everyone else that checked to find the same information waiting for them at 6:00 or 7:00 AM. Be clear about what it is you want and need when you interact with others, so they can help you. Stay focused on what you need right now, not what's in your ten year plan. Over speaking what you are qualified for will only result in people sending you job announcements for roles you won't be competitive for, prolonging your unemployment.

Resume Ready - Have a 'master' resume ready. A master will contain everything you could possibly want to know about your work experience. (Don't send this to anyone without editing!). With all of your experience at your finger tips, you can edit to suit each role inside of an hour, each time you need to react quickly.

Bottom line: if you have been unsuccessful in your search, look closely at your approach. Are you able to respond quickly? What actions can you take to be ready to strike the moment you need to?