I recently saw a CareerBuilder ad that reads, "If you don't like your job, get another job." Bizarre phrasing aside, it’s pretty good advice despite the ongoing recession and record unemployment rates.

I spent the better part of 2 years working in recruitment and saw firsthand how HR professionals place ads, source résumés and select candidates to interview. This gave me a leg up in finding my current position. Believe me, it was the only positive that came from that job experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US unemployment rate is currently at 5.5%, a considerable increase over 2007 when the average was 4.6%. In May 2008, 861,000 Americans became classified as unemployed - an astronomical number. With significantly increased competition, getting a better job has become a near impossible task. However, by following a few simple rules, you'll be cleaning out your desk in no time.

1) Redo Your Résumé. No matter how good you think your résumé is, if you're not getting responses, it's time for a change. Here’s my secret: Steal other people's ideas. Google "résumé" and do some research. Find a great template, incorporate it into your own résumé and keep hunting.

2) Write a Better Cover Letter. The same wisdom that applies to your résumé goes double for your cover letter. The odds of getting an interview with an average cover letter or something resembling a form letter is nearly nil. Nobody’s going to look at your résumé when your cover letter shows a lack of effort. Put position specific information into each paragraph. Demonstrate you know what job you're applying for and that you really want to work there.

3) Know Where to Look. The recruitment industry asserts "Print is Dead" and it's a fairly accurate point. Unless you're looking for something blue collar, it's time to put down the newspaper and fire up the Commodore 64 because any job worth having is online. Know your job boards (Monster, HotJobs and CareerBuilder) and ALWAYS check CraigsList. It's so affordable to post a job (free or $25 depending on the city) that employers would be stupid NOT to use it. Not sure which job board to use? Many local newspapers have partnered with job boards so local traffic tilts toward that board. Check the masthead in the employment section of the newspaper to find out who their partners are.

4) Don't Forget About Niche Sites: Some companies exclusively post their jobs on niche sites, giving them a lower, but more targeted response and giving you less competition. Looking for a marketing job? The American Marketing Association has marketingpower.com. Want to work in finance? Visit jobsinthemoney.com. Interested in a career in human resources? Reconsider or, if you're a masochist, visit SHRM.org.

5) Learn How to Interview. There are certain questions you HAVE TO know how to answer. If you don't know the answers to "greatest strength" and "greatest weakness,” you've already lost the job. Don't think for a second "I'm a perfectionist" or "I work too hard" are acceptable weaknesses. Interviewers hear this from 99% of interviewees, not only is it unoriginal and stupid, it's clearly a lie. Nobody actually works too hard except maybe Steve Urkel and do you think anyone would want to share a cubicle with Urkel?

6) Don't Dress like a Bum. Once you land an interview, don’t show up and blow it. Perhaps some industries are cool with running shorts and a polo shirt, but Jeff Spicoli lookalikes typically aren’t the ones who walk away with 6-figure salaries. If possible, invest in a new suit. Find something that looks good without breaking the bank. Be wary of incessant direct mail pieces, but if you can throw out 2 postcards per week, you can get something that looks solid for a decent price at a store like Jos A Bank.

7) Send a Follow-up Email. No matter what happens during the interview, always send a follow-up email. In many cases, this makes or breaks your potential employment. Let them know you really want to work there. This kind of ambition is always looked upon fondly.

Believe it or not, even in our current economy, there IS a job market. That said, there is one more thing you’ll need to be successful in your job search: PATIENCE. If you expect to start looking for a job now and have one in 3 weeks, you're kidding yourself. If you can wait it out, not get fired from your current position and keep at it, you'll eventually be successful. Then you can sit in your office and write blog posts while your coworkers are actually doing their jobs - just like me.

Good luck, and happy hunting.