If you're sending out resumes but not hearing back from anyone, you could try a different tactic. Temporarily change your objective from getting an interview to getting a meeting. The goal of meeting is to sit down with a manager in your field and ask them to give you some advice about next steps in your career. Most people are flattered when you ask for their advice. If you approach a hiring manager asking for advice instead of to ask if they have job openings, they'll put you in a different category and there's a good chance they'll set aside 15-20 minutes for a meeting with you.

The easiest way to arrange a meeting like this is through networking with people you know. If that's not possible, you can cold call into companies you respect and ask to speak with appropriate department manager. I know cold calling isn't easy but this may be most effective solution for getting feedback about your career direction and how your background is presented in your resume.

For example, at Microsoft, many people like working there because of competitive environment and a culture that values intellect. If you come across in an interview with that company as someone who likes those things, you'll probably score extra points and be seen by interviewer as someone who would fit in with team.

One place to find out about companies is Vault Reports website. To find out more about Vault Reports, please check out review on our site at this address: http://www.jobsearchinfo.com/vault.htm

Hoovers.com is also a good site for finding out more about a company, as are other financial reporting sites like Yahoo Finance which lets you look up information on public companies.

Unfortunately, however, there are times when showing ambition on a job interview can hurt you. Watch out for situations where an unproven or burnt-out manager interviews you for a job that could put you in a position to replace them. If insecure manager interviews you *after* at least one other person as interviewed you, it's ok to come across as ambitious because insecure manager wouldn't want to be perceived as blocking talented candidates. But if an insecure manager is acting as a "gatekeeper" to company and could prevent you from being considered by final decision maker, it's better to come off as competent but not ambitious so you don't seem threatening to their position.