Times are tough so for the next three blog posts, so here are some ideas to help middle and senior executives with job searches.

Competition for jobs is high as an increasing number of skilled professionals are laid off.

While the Internet has made it easier than ever for job seekers to post their resumes, that convenience has made it harder for candidates to stand out.

Forget the ‘shotgun’ job search method.

Many people still use the ‘shotgun’ method to conduct a job search. They read the job ads and submit a standard resume to as many job boards as they can find. Then they submit their standard resume to either a handful of opportunities each week, or they submit to dozens of jobs with the same resume as long as the position sounds remotely interesting.

Don’t do it. Recruiters are not likely to help you because you’ve given all potential hiring firms free access to your information, which negates the value they provide to their clients.

When you try to be all things to all prospective employers by sending a standard resume to everyone, you end up being nothing to no one.

Start with a plan to find the right company first and the job second.

You need a specific idea of the job you want and a plan on how to get it. Yet few job seekers start with these ideas since both require thought and time. Hiring managers want leaders with demonstrated success in finding creative solutions to difficult problems. Business plans, project plans, budgets and presentations all take time to research and develop.

So does differentiating your job search. By taking the time to zero in on a specific career goal and to plan an effective job search, you demonstrate to hiring managers your clarity and ability to manage projects.

The amount of time this planning requires varies by person, but it can range from as little as a few minutes for job seekers who have already committed to specific industries and geographies, to a few days for those who are less certain of their goals.