Over the last few months I've had the chance to watch more Oprah that I would like to admit too watching. I've received my health care checklist from Oprah and Dr. Oz; rode along on the Clean Up Your Messy House tour; got a 7 day menu plan from Iron Chef Cat Cora; and I am usually "Live" on Friday's with O, Gail, and the spouses of Kelly Ripa and George Stephanopoulos.

I've watched enough of Oprah's show that I bought into the Kool-aid. I even found myself on line about to order my subscription to O - The Magazine, but divine intervention rang the doorbell before I clicked on the order button.

I am an Oprah fan. I think it's cool she started her TV career at Nashville's Channel 5. Her dad's barbershop is just across the Cumberland River from my house. Oprah has built an empire, she is caring and compassionate, relatively scandal free - and wow, have you seen all the crap she gives away on those "Favorite Things" shows. The woman has done a ton of stuff for the greater good. But there is one thing I really want Oprah to do! I want to hear her say "Skyping in from Nashville is Jim, and we are going to help him with his job search."

Last summer, along with 4,000 co-workers, I was laid off from my job as a Business Marketing executive with a large healthcare company. Being laid off sucks, but with the current economy, I understand the business rationale and after almost 9 years at the company, my vocation mindset could certainly use the jolt.

Initially, I didn't fear the job search. In the 20 years since college I have never had an issue with finding employment. Most times it was the opposite - recruiters and the like contacting me about jobs, but me being in a comfort zone and rarely even considering their offers. I figured the search would take two months tops and I could sure use the downtime to rejuvenate myself before returning to the corporate world.

Nine months, 323 resumes/applications submitted, 100+ phone interviews, 36 in-person interviews later, and I still am without a full time job! The process has left me frustrated but it has made me a self-proclaimed expert on the job search process. An expert - that's right! That's why I need to Skype in with Oprah. I don't know what else to do and if you can't reach God, then the next closest thing is Skyping with O!

If you are on the frontlines of the job search with me, here are a few tips, tricks and things I have learned. I have more than 40 hours each week on the process - searching for jobs, reading all the latest articles on resumes and interviews, attitude and attire for the process. I've sought feedback from H.R. and recruiting professional. I Googled myself. I did a background check. I learned a lot of good stuff. I've applies the learning in various ways (yes I even had beta test runs on techniques versus control group applications and other statistical testing). I just didn't get a job yet!

The CV/resume

The CV/resume, or more importantly its content, is the cornerstone of the search. Be honest, be brief, don't boast, and be bold when creating your resume. The resume document won't get you a job - it isn't supposed to. The resume should create an interest in your skills and make the hiring manager want to talk to you and learn more. Sounds simple? It's not!

In today's digital world, 70% of companies with 75+ employees use computer software to manage their recruiting and screening process. Resumes/applications submitted to these companies are reviewed by these computer programs - not by a set of human eyes. In fact, only 3% of resumes/applications submitted electronically ever get reviewed by a hiring manager. In order to increase the odds that your resume gets read - you need to customize the content of your resume for each job to which you apply.

The software that parses resumes for these employers scan each submission for keywords. Keywords are nouns and phrases that highlight technical and professional areas of expertise, industry-related jargon, achievements, projects, task forces, job titles, etc. If your resume does not contain some of the keywords that the employer is using, then your resume will be skipped by the computer, even if you have all of the experience and skills required by the job.

When you send 323 resumes in just a few months, it would be a total hassle to recreate your resume each time. Instead build your resume with one section that can be easily modified based on job specific detail or keywords. I use Summary of Qualifications section of my resume. It is a simple, bullet list of items where my specific skills match the keywords found in the job posting. The list is easy to edit and change and allows the items stand out on your resume. Here are a couple other thoughts on keywords.

• The best source of keywords is the actual job listing. It probably contains all of the keywords that will be used to parse submissions.
•  You may find general keyword nouns or phrases that might apply to many jobs. Incorporate these items throughout your resume. This way they won't clutter your "Summary of Qualifications" and will highlight the job specific points you want to convey.
• For technical positions, the certifications and software that are essential for a job should be included on your resume.

Make sure your resume has action. It should highlight what you achieved in previous jobs, not simply what tasks you did for that employer. The hiring process is always a gamble for employers. When you support your qualifications with examples of your achievements, it makes the hiring decision less of a gamble. Keep the description of the work tasks you did for a previous employer very short. Instead, share a couple of key accomplishments for which you were responsible. Use numbers and percentages to make the item stand out, but never embellish or create a result. For example, "Created new sales process that resulted in annual sales increase of 22%."

Search and Apply

There are hundreds of job search sites scattered across the World Wide Web. They fall into a handful of categories: public posting sites; aggregate posting sites; in-house employer sites; and specialty or geography based sites. Don't assume that every site is the same or that every site is intended to meet your needs. The first priority for these sites is not to match seekers with jobs. The priority of a job sites it to generate revenue for the site and its owners. So do research and be diligent when using them.

Posting sites like careerbuilder.com and are just what they name implies. Employers got to the site and post jobs that are available at their company. These are usually used the most when an employer is targeting a specific group or geography for a job. The listings they carry are limited based on what employer uses what site, etc...

Aggregate sites include jobster.com, monster.com, simplyhired.com, careercast.com, and many others. These usually will provide a larger number of posts that are more reflective of everything available within the parameters of your search. They aggregate postings from other sites, job boards, and resources. While this does provide a larger number of posts, be careful as often posts may be repeated from several other sources, or they may not be timely as the job may have closed to applicants before the site aggregate it to their listing. Most of these sites do not post actual jobs, so when you apply you will be redirected to the original job posting and site.

If you want to work for a specific company or are looking for a specific opportunity that you know is available at a company, then going directly to the company's website and careers section is your destination. The postings are only for that company. The listings are always timely and submitting on the company site is the closest guarantee you have that your application will go directly into the company's database.

Jobbankusa.com and americanjobs.com are geography based sites that may focus on your specific state or city and the opportunities available. There are hundreds of these sites all the way down to sites located by local Chamber of Commerce. Geography sites tend to be more akin to the posting sites mentioned above since they are locally operated and managed. If you work in a technical field or within a large industry classification, you may want to check out specialty sites. These are usually operated by trade association s or unions and again feature submitted posts that are specific to that field. Talentzoo.com for example is a site that targets marketing and advertising jobs.

Some of these sites are free for job seekers, but be aware that there are sites that do charge a fee for seekers to utilize the service (hound.com, theladders.com, employmentcrossing.com, etc...). My advice is to use the free sites mentioned above first. I have spent time comparing the postings on free and paid sites and have found they inventory of available jobs to be almost identical, so in that vein the paid sites are not a good investment of your dollars. Where the paid sites are beneficial and may be worth your investment, is in getting your professional background into the hands of employment recruiters and headhunters, who are searching on behalf of employers to fill specific jobs.

Interview and Attitude

The search, the resume and almost everything you do as part of your search should be directed toward getting an interview with the employer. An interview is your chance to sell yourself as only you can do, in a personal manner that will help the employer envision you in the job and as part of their company.

Take a few hours before any interview to prepare. Get on the internet and research the company. Focus on company information that relates to the job you are interviewing about - don't talk about the CEO's million dollar paycheck, unless that is you are applying for the CEO Job!

Take time to review the job description or the ad to which you responded, in order to determine the key items that may be discussed during the interview. If you can't access the description or original ad, search on line for descriptions of jobs with similar titles or in similar industries.

The most important thing to do prior to an interview is to figure out what you want to say and what you want the interviewer to take away from the session. I call these items my headlines. Before each interview, I determine three headlines about myself that are pertinent to the job. These three items are the major points that I want to make sure the interviewer knows about me after our time together. Sure there will be other questions, but the process of committing to headlines in advance, will ensure that I cover them and don't leave out something I believe is key to convey.

During the actual interview, speak at a calm pace and make eye contact with the interviewer. Answer the questions directly and don't over answer. When you feel that you have answered the question, stop talking. Don't be afraid of silence. Use examples where possible of work situations in your past that might illustrate how you responded to a similar situation. If a question arises about a situation that you have not encountered before, be upfront and say so, but if possible bridge that "no" toward a similar circumstance or toward one of your headlines.

"I haven't had direct experience in marketing lug nuts, but I have product marketing experience with widgets, and screws that is very similar. In those areas I developed distribution plans that..."

Be positive about your skills and abilities. Avoid phrases like "I think I could do that" or "I would give it my best shot" as they indicate that you are lacking confidence and unsure of how you may perform. I like to use the phrase "I know ...." to show self confidence in my ability.

Make sure you have a couple of questions prepared to ask the interviewer. These questions should be appropriate to who is questioning you at this point in the process. If it is a HR specialist or recruiter, general company questions, benefit information questions are appropriate. If it is the hiring manager, questions about the duties of the job, culture, are more appropriate.

One quick note about telephone interviews. Treat a telephone interview the same way you would treat an in-person interview. Dress appropriately, sit in a chair, and eliminate all distractions. The confidence and focus of the exercise will carry through your voice and into the ear of the interviewer.

The most important thing about the interview process - ask for the job. As you close the interview restate the interest and your skills for the position and directly ask for the job. Don't be will nilly about it and say I hope to talk more or I'm seriously interested. Ask for the job with confidence.

"I appreciate the time today and hope I've answered any questions you had about how I would enhance your team in this position. I feel we are a good fit and would like the job and to join your team. What are the next steps to making this happen?"

Well there are a few ideas and tips that I have picked up along the job hunt. I hope they help. My search still is on going and I seek the devine Oprah help. Im sitting here Oprah, ready to Skype in for your help.