My wife and I recently made the trip to California to help celebrate the 90th birthday party of one of her aunt’s. We had a great time visiting with family and friends during the party and for a few more days, enjoyed the company of another set of friends in Northern San Diego County.

While waiting for our return flight home, it gave me a chance to watch the fever-pitched activity out on the airport ramp. As baggage was loaded and unloaded, planes were being re-fueled and food and beverage was being stowed on the planes, I paid close attention to the need for coordinated, safe movement out there. As a former Safety Coordinator for a in-flight catering company, I am always fixed on the windows at the airport, watching the activity, and yes, I do see a few violations, but nothing that would affect the safety of any flight!

It still amazes me to see the buzz of activity, with so few accidents. It means that, generally speaking, those men and women working in such a dangerous situation are following a safety plan and doing things right!

When, as a job seeker, you are doing the things necessary to find that next position, do you have a plan? Do you approach your job search with a method to your madness, or are you just clicking away at every job posted? Are you doing things right?

The following is just a short list of things that you can do to keep it simple and do it right. Keep in mind that there are a multitude of things that don’t get listed, otherwise I would have titled this article “233,000 things you can do to improve your chances of landing a job”

1. Start the day with the best possible attitude that you can! You may be in a desperate situation, with financial obligations looming on the horizon, but if you let any type of negativity take over the direction of your day…you may be doomed at the start, so stay positive!

2. Create a list of the things that you intend to get done each day. How many hours are you going to spend networking? How many hours are you going to spend job searching? How many hours are you going to devote to working on cover letters, resumes and bio’s that you send out to potential employers? How much time will you spend learning new tips and techniques by reading blogs like this or books on job searching subjects or talking with recruiters?

3. Are you creating positive relationships while you are job seeking? I run into people everyday that have extremely bad attitudes. It blows my mind to see that they expect me to help them, when they won’t even help themselves by taking time to check their attitude and treating others with respect and fairness. Having a bad hair day is not something that you should force others to be exposed to just because it’s happening to you!

4. Are you thinking of others FIRST? Are you helping some in their time of need to get what they want or need? I spent a few months helping a job seeker find a new position. Together, we were not successful, but she and I spent several long phone calls discussing the potential positions she’d found through other resources, and finally we talked about the job offer she would accept. Several weeks later, I received a call from her. The position that she had accepted required her to do the hiring for her company. She now needs a recruiter, and where do you think she turned…? I’m not saying that you should help someone for future benefits. Just help out of the kindness of your heart! And, remember the “Golden Rule” to do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Doing things right, the first time, is so important in regard to the length of time you spend job searching! I know hundreds of candidates who have not followed the advise of someone helping them, and yet they still struggle. Are you asking yourself why?

Remember to do these things and they will help you to “Do Things Right.”
*Seek counsel from those you trust
*Remember to say “Thank You” for their help
*Use this information to move your job search forward
*Go help someone else.

Steven is the owner of "The Job Hunter Group"