Job hunting takes time and preparation. Whether you are using a placement agency, a recruiter or applying directly to a company.
Looking for work can be stressful and the stress can be worse if you don’t have a clear idea of what is out there or what you want.
For starters you need to be ready and by ready I mean you should have a good idea of what kind of job or career you want to pursue. It sounds pretty easy, but a lot individuals are not organized enough to pursue their career goals.

1. You may want to have a work history, preferably a resume stating your work history, accomplishments and skills. While a job application with the employer will formalize your hiring, a resume will serve as marketing tool to sell your self as the best candidate for the job. Also, a hiring manager is able to make a decision about you more quickly based on the information presented in your work history/resume. The faster a hiring manager can process your information, the faster you both can move on to pursue other opportunities.

2. Compensation. What do you think your skills are worth? You can check around and see what other people are making, but when it comes to compensation, the main issue is what you are able to do for any business that may hire you. What do you bring to the table or business? It could be that you can sell (feeds), fix (equipment), market (commodities) or treat animals (herdsman) etc.

3. Location, location, location. Are you willing to relocate? Finding an ideal job in a specific area may not be an attainable goal because the job market for your position may be a competitive one or there may be limited businesses in your area.

4. Timeline. Do not wait until the last moment to begin looking for work if you are aware that is time for a change in you career. Whether your employer is closing, downsizing or simply that you want to leave, making decisions on the run will not help you make the right decisions.

In the end the decisions you make today will directly impact your long-term career goals, personal life, and future.