Spring offers a good opportunity to tidy up, review, and fine-tune every element of a job search, from resumes to thank-you notes.

While you may be doing almost everything right, neglecting or mishandling just one or two parts of the process could keep you from getting a job, especially in this ultra-competitive market.
Here, then, is a checklist that covers some of the main links in the job search chain:

THE SUMMARY
When was the last time you went through your resume word by word, letter by letter? Make sure it is fully up to date and tailored to the types of jobs you are looking for. Writing a resume is tricky business. “You have to provide just enough information to spark the hiring manager’s interest in learning more about you. But if you offer too much, they can make a quick decision that puts you out of the race,” says Danielle Dayries, local career consultant and ResumeWriter. .
Make sure your resume is based on achievement and not just a job description. Also, ask someone else to look at your resume. If you can’t afford a career coach, give your resume to friends or family for review.

REFERENCES
If you haven’t talked to your references lately, give them a call or email. Make sure they are still in the same jobs and tell them you are still looking. This helps to broaden your network, as referrals can learn about job openings. It’s also a good time to consider whether to add or remove some people as references.

LETTERS
Maybe you’ve set up some basic templates beforehand, but that’s not enough. Each cover letter you write should be specifically geared towards the job you are applying for.

STAY AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER
It’s easy to spend 8 hours a day on the computer applying for a job and feel like you’ve been looking for a job all day. Guess what: thousands of people saw the same job postings, drastically increasing competition and lowering the odds of securing a position. Solution: Net, net, net! Ms. Dayries recommends hosting some type of in-person meeting every day of the week. This helps give your day structure, keeps you in touch with the outside world, and prevents you from becoming complacent or depressed, she says. You are most likely to succeed through people you meet or meet through networking, volunteering, or professional or alumni associations.

“Lafayette has a plethora of professional networking opportunities. Attend an LEDA luncheon or Lafayette Chamber’s monthly after-hours business events. Be sure to collect as many cards as possible, send them a thank you email and a reminder about your career goals with your resume and plant as many seeds as possible, says Ms. Dayries.

NOW – GO BACK TO THE COMPUTER AND BUILD AN ONLINE PRESENCE
Create a LinkedIn profile and fill it with as many contacts as possible and continually communicate with new ones. “LinkedIn uses the theory of the six degrees of separation; you never know who your contacts know and which of these contacts you may be hiring. Several of my clients have used LinkedIn and secured interviews and, ultimately, jobs,” says the Mrs Dayries. Also, ask past colleagues and associates to write a recommendation for you on the site. And while you’re at it, Google yourself and check Facebook or other social media to make sure nothing embarrassing is coming up.

MONITORING
These days, it’s common to apply for a job and never hear back from the company. Without being a pest, take the initiative by following up with a phone call a week after applying. If no name appears on the job posting, use your research skills to find one. Or, if you know someone at the company, see if that person will speak for you. You can also see if any of your LinkedIn contacts know anyone within the company and get a personal introduction that way.

INTERVIEWS
If you get a lot of interviews but no calls back or job offers, take a hard look at your Interview Skills. This is one area where investing in a career coach can pay off, Ms. Dayries said. But if you can’t afford one, try to find a job group or service that does free mock interviews. Dayries strongly recommends taking advantage of the free services provided by The Lafayette Business and Career Solutions Center. Also, the same day you have an interview, be sure to send a thank you note via email or regular mail.

SYSTEMS SUPPORT
Finally, recognize that looking for a job, especially in a market like this, can take a psychological toll. Don’t take it personally if your job search is taking a long time. Many excellent job candidates, victims of the economic downturn, are now in the same boat.

Even in the best of times, the job search is often about rejection, and that can be hard to bear. Staying in touch with family, friends, professional networks, and fellow job seekers can help you maintain a positive attitude and sense of perspective.

“I’ve worked with a lot of people who felt that their unemployment status was a reflection of their character,” says Dayries, “I think that’s a mistake.” Instead, he advised, acknowledge that it hurts to lose a job. Give yourself some time to wallow, but realize that layoffs happen in this economy. So get up and move on.