Finding a job is tougher than ever. And ironically the thing that has made looking easier is the problem.

The Internet has had an unbelievable effect on job searching. Once upon a time you were digging through classifieds that were only available at specific times of the day or week. You were cold calling and snail mailing resumes and often waiting weeks to get a response.

Now you can go on the Internet any time of the day and find the latest job postings. Your resume can be faxed or emailed in seconds. You can hear from hiring managers within days – sometimes hours – after submitting a resume.

The downside to this convenience is everybody has access to those resources. Candidates willing to cross state lines can see that one job that’s perfect for you.

Despite politicians attempting to brag about lows in unemployment, there are still a lot of people out of work. Not to mention the many simply looking for new work. To stay ahead of the competition, a candidate needs to have a solid strategy for speeding up their job search and landing a new job in quick fashion:

- Keep your social media up to date and clean as possible. Remember, hiring managers that take an interest in your resume may look you up. While your LinkedIn profile will be a promising representation of credentials and accreditations, those Facebook and Twitter postings of drunken partying won’t impress potential new employers.

- Keep your resume as current and fresh as possible. The days of mass copying your resume and shipping it off are gone. Never use an old resume when you’re starting out. Craft a new one. And always tailor your resume to the position you’re applying for. Let hiring managers see you’re paying attention to their details for the position.

- Utilize search agencies. Avoid the ones that ask for fees because they have no real incentive to find you a job after they’ve been paid. An agent should be working on commission that’s paid by the hiring company. While the Internet is a great place to look for work, agencies have the ear of hiring managers and can use that information to find the best employment slots.

- Don’t make finding a new job the new job. Looking for work can be depressing. It can be demoralizing. While diligently searching, take time out to exercise, visit a museum or go to a movie. Take advantage of the sudden free time you have and stay positive.