Just the facts.

The hunt begins. I will be only 1 of the millions of other Californians looking for work right now. Although June numbers aren't out yet, May unemployment rates were a staggering 11.5%,nearly a whole 2% more than the national average. This is also the highest unemployment rate on record. To say that finding a job in this market will be difficult is severely understating the obvious. And unlike past downturns, this market is full of fierce competition-Senior Executives, CEO's, PhD's, Stanford graduates, the list goes on. In addition, there is less than 1 job available for every 5 job seekers in America right now.There are no two ways about it. It is BAD. BAD. BAD. With all of this in mind, this is my plan:
1. Network
Everything you read and everything you hear will emphasize the importance of networking. I tend to agree. Let's attempt to dissect this scientifically. At the core of human behavior, we all want to belong. This might be one of our deepest drives (aside from sex).

Fast forward through evolution and we continue to make connections to those who are familiar to us. This happens on the most superficial levels, like when we're at a really boring conference and we recognize that person we worked with 3 years ago who we really didn't like but we end up spending 2 days with because we don't know anybody else. When a hiring manager has to sort through 70 resumes, it will ultimately make a difference when her colleague (someone she trusts), personally delivers a resume of a fellow trusted acquaintance. The hiring manager will, at the very least, take the time to look over the entire resume of said trusted acquaintance. Should the connection be stronger between the hiring manager and the recommender, the recommendee will probably move to the top of the resume pile and quite possibly land an interview.
All of this because becoming part of a group is a very complicated, time-consuming process that can have disastrous consequences if not achieved. When you have a member of the tribe already vouching for you and guaranteeing your ability to fit, your specific skill set becomes less important. This is my hope. Although, my professional network is limited to my years of post-baccalaureate work I am optimistic that the tentacles of my network will be far-reaching. I do know some"powerful"people who know some even more influential people who might be able to pull some strings based on this chain of familiarity. However, regardless of the amount of recommendations I come bearing, if there is no job to be had there is no job to be had. Let's hope there is a job to be had.