As a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, I speak on the phone with job seekers every day. I work with clients from places as far-flung as South Korea, to those based right here in New York City. Often, the only way for me to determine my client’s personality type is to assess how he or she behaves over the phone. A thorough conversation usually tells me whether my client is professional, prepared, confident and composed.

For those preparing to launch a job search, or who are in the midst of one right now, here are some tips to improve your chances of clearing the phone interview.

Record a Voicemail

Make sure to update your voicemail before prospective employers and recruiters reach out to you. Include your full name and a promise to respond within 24 hours. Ringback tones must be in good taste.

Answer the Phone

Hello? doesn’t cut it when you’re in the middle of a job search. Instead, answer the phone with authority and competence. Identify yourself by saying, “Hi, this is Joe” or “Hello, Joe speaking.”

Communicate Concisely

Don’t let your answers exceed the scope of the questions. Your response time should be one minute or less. Get a list together of common interview questions and formulate concise responses. Read them aloud, time yourself, never rush, and speak confidently.

If you follow these guidelines, your chances of making a positive impression will improve greatly and will set you apart from the competition.

Dylan Houle is a CPRW and has written over 600 executive-level resumes and cover letters. Originally from San Francisco, Dylan now resides in Brooklyn.

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you may have seen me tweet about Job Central. Here at TheLadders, we’ve been hard at work for months planning a one-of-kind job-search extravaganza, and in less than one week, it will all come to fruition!

On Thursday, January 10^th, we will bring together the best employers, recruiters, and career experts at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall to host a comprehensive job-search experience for professionals looking to make their next career move.

So, what’s so special about Job Central, you ask? For starters, it’s FREE and open to all professionals! I will be there all day answering questions and sharing tips on how to conduct a successful job search in 2013. Additionally, we’ve lined up an impressive roster of industry experts to speak on a wide range of topics, including how to leverage social media in the job hunt and navigating job-search uncertainty.

Whether you’re looking for a job now or considering a change further down the line, if you live in the Tri-State Area, this is an event worth attending. In addition to learning how to get a jump-start on your search, you also will have the opportunity to meet and network with dozens of recruiters and hundreds of fellow job seekers, and possibly receive a free, three-month Premium membership (a $75 value) to TheLadders.

What to wear

Don your best business-casual outfit for the event. For gentlemen, I suggest a pair of slacks with a button-down shirt. For ladies, consider a flattering blouse paired with slacks, or a dress. Make sure the neckline is workplace-appropriate and that the skirt falls to your knee. Afraid your outfit will raise a red flag at the office? Check out these wardrobe tips for job-seeking on the sly.

What to bring

Bring a stack of business cards, at least five copies of your resume, a pen, a notebook (or your iPad) for taking notes during the presentations, and your game plan. Review the list of speakers ahead of time and come prepared with specific questions. Most importantly, arm yourself with a smile and be prepared to network.

What to expect

Not only will you have a chance to speak with recruiters, employers, and other professionals, but you’ll also learn valuable tips to help you compete in this tough job market. Use these next few days to practice your elevator pitch, update your resume, and clean up your online presence so it aligns with your job goals.

For more information, including the full speaker line-up, visit theladders.com/jobcentral and join the event on Facebook. If you’re out of the area but want to participate virtually, join the Twitter conversation on January 10^th, with the hashtag #JobCentral.

I look forward to seeing you on January 10^th!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders, the online job-matching service for career-driven professionals. She is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) who provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

Here at TheLadders we are constantly working to find the best way for you to land your next position. Whether it’s improving the tools you are using, such as your resume or your cover letter, or offering valuable job-seeking strategies, we want to help you go about your search in the best way possible. What that boils down to is that, if we think that our members could be doing something better, we don’t wait for them to ask.

One of the first things we do is let our members know the importance of having an up-to-date profile and resume searchable on TheLadders. We recently went through our database and found thousands of members that had old profiles and resumes, or no resumes at all. There is no doubt that routinely updating your resume and membership profile on TheLadders greatly increases the attention you receive from recruiters and hiring managers.

To help our members get the most value from our services, we hit the phones to relay the importance of an up-to-date resume. And the message was well received! Within the first few weeks, 7,000 members went from unsearchable to searchable on TheLadders by completing their profiles and uploading their resumes. Most importantly, these 7,000 members are now closer to landing their next position.

Remember, we are here to answer your questions by phone, email or live chat, but as we come across tips to improve your job search, you may get answers from us before you even know the question.

Drake Naples is the Team Lead of the Job Search Support Center (JSSC) at TheLadders. He strives to ensure members of TheLadders are using the website as efficiently and effectively as possible to land their dream job.

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Dr. Debra Condren, the radio host of “Ambition is Not a Dirty Word” on WebTalk Radio.

In addition to her show, Dr. Condren is a business psychologist who specializes in assessment-based executive coaching, talent and leadership development, and career advising. She is the also author of “Ambition is Not a Dirty Word: A Woman’s Guide to Earning Her Worth & Achieving Her Dreams,” and is the founder of Manhattan Business Coaching LLC. And you thought you were busy, huh?

Dr. Condren invited me on her show to discuss making a career transition – what you need to do to prepare for this type of job search, and what you can expect along the way. We had a really great conversation that covered the job-search gamut, from identifying goals, to formatting cover letters, to keeping upbeat when things aren’t going your way.

Below are three of the career-transition tips I shared with Dr. Condren and her listeners:

1. Do your research

• Identify industries that are strong or emerging, and are similar to your previous experience.
• Once you’ve chosen your target industry, use social networking, online resources, professional associations and network connections to learn as much as you can about the industry, its hiring practices, and any open opportunities.

2. Focus on job requirements, your qualifications and results

• Your cover letter and elevator pitch should focus on your ability to deliver results.
• When applying to jobs, focus on demonstrating how you meet all the primary job requirements for the role.
• If you’ve worked in multiple industries, leverage this point to demonstrate that you have been successful in a variety of industries in the past, and can be so again with this organization.

3. Show passion…and patience

• Determine why you find a particular industry or company appealing and show that passion in your elevator pitch and interviews.
• Remember that transitioning to a new role can be a long process, especially in this saturated job market. The greater the gap between your job goals and most recent experience, the more challenging this transition can be.
• It may be necessary to compromise on compensation and job title in your next job in order to get you on the right track towards your dream job.

Click here to listen to the full radio segment.

Click here for more tips on making a career transition.

I’m always honest, and it’s true that making a transition can be tricky in this current market. But don’t give up on your dreams! It may take you longer than you expected, but it can be done. Stay positive, continue looking forward, and keep working hard!

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.

Every day, I provide advice to job seekers on ways to improve their job search. Some clients are looking to get promoted at their current companies, whereas others want to change employers and will accept a lateral move in the same industry. That said, many are seeking something completely different. Apart from the advice and resources I offer, I motivate job seekers to step out of their comfort zones to look for possible job opportunities.

Looking at the results from our summer job-search survey, which are illustrated in our awesome infographic below, I cringe at the discovery that only 31% of respondents say that they network more during the summer. Summertime activities present a unique opportunity to network with loads of new people. Whether at the beach or at a baseball game, you should make it a point to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t already know. People are generally more relaxed during the summer, making it easier to grow your professional network while celebrating your social life.

However, seeing that 71% of respondents believe employers are less responsive during the summer was not surprising to me. Whether they’re taking an extended weekend at the beach or enjoying shortened summer hours, employers tend to be away from their desks more during the warmer months than other times of the year. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that hiring slows down during the summer, so it’s imperative to remain persistent.

While the summer may seem like a slow period for job seekers, there is typically less competition during these months, so it’s actually an ideal time to get out there, network, and seize the opportunity. For additional information, check out these tips to help job seekers stay motivated during the summer months, from Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine.

Click here to download a PDF version of the Summer Job Search Infographic.

Diana DeClemente is a Certified Professional Career Coach, CPCC, for TheLadders. She uses her savvy people skills to help job seekers set and achieve realistic goals and loves motivating them to find their next role. Outside work, Diana enjoys sitting on the beach and watching International House Hunters (separately, of course)!

Last week, I participated in a webinar hosted by Jack Chapman, author of “How to Make a $1,000 a Minute.”

The webinar, “Surviving the Coming 2013 Double Dip Recession,” focused on the “Trillion Dollar Meltdown,” providing attendees with a lesson in basic economic theory and explaining why recessions and inflation occur. The bottom line: he believes 2013 is going to be a hard year on our economy, and it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

But what does that mean for the average professional or job seeker? Jack recommends the following strategies:

• Enjoy the good old days. Take a moment and appreciate what you have today, and be prepared for inflation in the future.

• Be the best in your field. Focus on making yourself as valuable as possible to your organization – “the top 10 percent are always employed.”

• Build your “networld.” In other words, maintain and continue to grow a strong professional online presence. Remain visible among those in your field. Participate in group discussions, write articles, and attend events – all of these activities will help you learn of new opportunities, and put you on the radars of recruiters and hiring managers.

• Consider a second income.  What other talents and passions do you have that could be used to secure a side job? For retirees, consider taking up an “encore career” to maintain a steady source of income.

• Follow the money. Explore opportunities in industries that will still be in high demand, even during tougher times. Jack recommends researching roles within regulation, healthcare and telecom, and shying away from  the luxury industry, which he believes is still on the decline.

• Negotiate COLA. COLA stands for Cost Of Living Adjustment. Request a COLA when negotiating your compensation package with a new employer. This will prevent your compensation from losing its value because of inflation.

For someone who doesn’t know a lot about the “ins and outs” of economics, the presentation was interesting. However, I wish we had more time to dive a bit deeper into Jack’s job-search strategies. Judge for yourself – you can check out his presentation here.

If you’re currently on the job hunt, I recommend picking up a copy of Jack’s book. Personally, I think it’s the bible for salary negotiations. What I love most is how easy it is to follow – he gives actual examples of what to say in different scenarios, along with possible responses. He even provides a cheat sheet on negotiations at the beginning of the book for readers who need a quick refresher right before an interview.

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

At TheLadders, we pride ourselves in providing our members and affiliates with valuable tools that make the job search as seamless, and painless, as possible. As such, I’m very happy to announce that we’ve added two more resources to our already established arsenal: The Career Chronicles and the Recruit Blog.

The Career Chronicles is TheLadders’ premier job search and career advice blog, written by our talented staff of resume writers and career coaches. Additionally, beginning today, our resident Job Search Expert Amanda Augustine will answer your toughest job-search questions in her weekly advice column Ask Amanda. If you have a question for Amanda, submit it here for a chance to be featured in an upcoming column.

For our recruiters and employers, we have our new Recruit Blog, which is chock-full of information from our enterprise team about candidate sourcing, resume selection and interviewing. What’s more, we will publish a variety proprietary research conducted by TheLadders to arm you with valuable insight into the mindsets of today’s job candidates.

In our mission to supply you with the best resources available, we hope that you find these new tools useful. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Patty Youngclaus is the associate manager of public relations at TheLadders. Outside of work, Patty enjoys going to the beach, playing softball and being around family and friends. Once football season begins, her weekends (and sometimes Mondays and Saturdays) are reserved for the New York Giants.

For the past eight years, it has been my passion to educate professionals on the job search process. It may sound cliché, but I truly enjoy teaching people the “tricks of the trade” to land them the job they want.

I’ve done everything from one-on-one career coaching, to hosting networking mixers with job seekers and recruiters, to giving presentations and speaking on panels to groups of professionals looking to make a career change.

So, when CBS New York asked to me to provide job-seeking advice for the “lazy days of summer,” I was absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to share my insights with such a large audience!

During the interview I explained how to execute a successful job search in today’s market, and ways to differentiate yourself from the competition during the “lazy days of summer.”

For all of those in the New York area, tune in to CBS New York (channel 2) today at 5 p.m. to learn how you can gain a competitive edge. For everyone else, please visit The Career Chronicles on Monday to watch the segment online.

Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert at TheLadders. Always on the go at work and away, Amanda trains and competes in races and triathlons in her spare time.

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of participating in Mediabistro’s first-ever Career Breakfast, a Google + hangout where a small panel of HR professionals and career experts gave their insight into various aspects of the job search process. This week’s topic was “What Really Happens After You Submit Your Resume.”

There’s a lot of advice floating around about standing out from the crowd during the application process. I’ve always believed, and my fellow panelists agree, that the best ways are the simplest. First, be qualified. The fanciest song and dance routine won’t get you anywhere if you can’t do the job. Second, have an easy-to-read resume that quickly conveys your experience and skills. A study done at TheLadders revealed that your resume has about six seconds to make a good first impression.

Whether you submit your resume through an advanced applicant tracking system or directly to a human being, the goal is the same. You want to submit a resume that lays out why you’re right for the job. It should be clear and clean: as free of bells and whistles as possible. A great resume won’t guarantee you a job, but a solid, well-timed, customized resume will likely get you an interview, and that’s the first step.

According to the responses I received, our audience got real value from the conversation. I love the opportunity to give insight from the recruiter/hiring manager side. I look forward to participating in many more of these events and helping more job seekers navigate the often frightening and confusing realm of the job search.

David Gaspin is the Manager, Talent Acquisition at TheLadders. When he’s not busy hiring amazing people for TheLadders, he keeps busy by trying to sound important – whether to his team, job seekers, or (for a real challenge) his 5-year old son.

Learn how Ben, Carolina and Chuck found the jobs that were right for them through TheLadders Signature (previously known as our Job Search Consultation Program). TheLadders Signature is a systematic program that provides precise one-on-one guidance to help top-tier professionals find the next step in their careers.

If you’re interested in learning more about Signature, check out our site.

Ben talks about finding the structure and confidence to land his new job.

Carolina discusses how her advisor helped her stay positive and focused during every step of her job search.

Chuck explains how the program worked for him and why he recommends it to his friends.

Ware Sykes is Vice President of Sales and Services at TheLadders.