By TOM HAYNIE

Job searching. Resume building. Interviewing. Online applications. Just the words seem ominous. Fourteen percent of Nevadans are locked in the toughest fight of their lives. So what is it with finding a job? Why does it take so long? What's that human resources manager doing? What can I do to make things happen? Is it ever going to end?

The answer to that last question is a resounding "Yes." It will end; we just have to figure out how to survive it until it does.

Andy Katz, president of Manpower of Southern Nevada, says, "Searching for a job during a tight economy, and even when opportunities are more plentiful, can be a frustrating experience. There is never a more urgent need for a positive attitude than when things are tough and just don't seem to be going your way."

Most of us have been there at one time or another. The process of sending out resumes, filling out countless applications, attending networking events, filing unemployment applications and waiting on an unemployment check that all too often doesn't cover all the bills can seem overwhelming.

Nevertheless, how you approach your search can be critical in determining whether it will be successful. Don't get upset with that hiring manager or human resource manager. He or she has a load of issues that must be dealt with daily. When she has a position to fill, she really wants to hire someone; just do everything you can to be that person who stands out from the crowd in a positive manner.

Cottia Bender, Manpower's director of executive recruiting, makes this observation: "It seems HR professionals feel that some candidates are just going through the motions in the job search process but aren't really prepared or applying themselves. I had an HR professional tell me just the other day that she had an open house for a handful of positions and all but one person came in looking like they just left the pool or woke up from a nap. They didn't look or act like they truly had any interest in finding a job. Make each conversation count and try to stand out so they remember you. You might not get the job you're interviewing for at that time, but they might think of you for the next one."

I can't emphasize enough how first impressions are lasting impressions. Interviews are a precious commodity. When you finally get one, don't waste it. Whether you come in looking like you just walked out of the executive briefing room or stumbled out of the bar across the street will go a long way toward whether you get that second interview.

If you're interviewing for a job as a forklift operator, you don't have to dress in a suit, but at least wear clean, pressed and untattered clothing. If you're unsure of how you might dress, take some time the day before your interview, drive to the place you might be working and watch how the people are dressed who already have the jobs.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of networking. Take a cue from the real estate profession. The three best methods of landing that job you want are network, network and network.

Dan Ward, business development manager for Manpower, observes, "Get involved with online and in-person job search groups. This maximizes the number of people looking out for jobs that fit you and, even more importantly, provides you with an emotional support group for what may be a lengthy and challenging process."

Don't discount the power of your inner circle. According to Marcia Werber, Manpower's Las Vegas East Regional manager, "One method to shorten the job search process is to be referred by an employee, adviser or a recruiter. The candidate may be given immediate consideration and bypass the resume process and online application.  They could go directly to the interview, which saves them a great deal of time and gives them the added benefit of a referral by someone whose opinion is valued by the company."

Attack your job search as though it was your job and do something every day. That's exactly what it is. If you go at it like a hobby or something you do when not busy with social activities, you'll find it will take much longer. According to Bender, "I know that candidates are frustrated and disappointed due to the lack of positions and opportunities; however looking for a job is like having a full-time job."

Now for that resume. If you ask 10 people how to prepare a resume you'll get 10 answers. Just make sure those answers come from the experts. I always tell people that a resume will not get you a job. The resume should get you the interview; the interview will get you the job.

Never rely on a "one-size-fits-all" resume. Mary Ann Coppa, business development manager for Manpower, offers insight from her experience. "Applicants should be sure that their resume matches the job opening. They need to show that they have the skills to do the job. Sometimes they might need five or six different resumes to show different aspects of their work experience and skill level. We have had many candidates who have lost out on opportunities because of a poorly constructed resume."

Keep the resume simple. Filling it up with job descriptions for every position you've held in the past 10 years will likely get it buried in the "to-read-later" pile. If you've been the accounts receivable manager, it likely isn't necessary to provide a detailed description of your duties.

Hiring managers want to know what you've done to make or save money for the company. For example, it's not as important that you were responsible for supervising 20 employees as what you did to make those employees more productive. Bullets with short descriptions will likely impress more than paragraphs of explanation. Leave something to discuss at the interview.

Brian Wolf, executive recruiter for Manpower, advises, "On your resume, add a short profile under each employer listed that explains what the company does. If the reader of your resume has never heard of your previous employers, it will be hard for them to mentally compare work environments, product lines, customer base and overall fit."

And, oh, that final comment on your resume that says, "References available on request." Leave it off. It's trite and a waste of valuable space. Of course you'll supply references when asked for them. It's a given. Be prepared, though. Your list of references might not be the ones the hiring manager or HR wants to see. They may ask for people who might not believe you walk on water.

If the job you're applying for doesn't require an interview and you simply fill out an application, make sure you treat the application like it was a resume. Include brief descriptions of your accomplishments where possible. Today, many applications are filled out online. While this makes the process easier, it can be a black hole into which you toss your history if you're not careful. While it may seem like an online application is easy, don't be fooled into thinking all you have to do is wake up in the morning, spend an hour or so filling out applications on your computer than relax in front of the TV and wait for a call.

Pay particular attention when doing online paperwork. Wolf says, "Follow the rules when applying for positions. If the job posting says you need to apply online, you should apply online. This means they have a database ready to receive your resume and that database is easy for the company to access and search. If you ignore their instructions and fax your resume or mail it in, not only does it show you can't follow instructions, it may never make it into the database and may never be reviewed."

You may be the perfect candidate, but if you can't follow instructions you could fail. If you're asked to take a test, be honest in your answers. Tests are designed to tell if you're not being truthful.

Have all of your information ready before you start the online application. If you have to leave to find some important piece of information, your application may time out and you may have to start over. There are some applications out there that will time how long it takes you to fill it out. If you take too long it might reflect negatively on your efficiency. Don't hurry, but don't dally either.

According to Wolf, "Apply for the right positions. If you are venturing too far away from your previous experience when applying for jobs, chances are someone else is more closely qualified for those positions. Companies that are hiring need to make sure they are making the right decision when adding a new salary to their budget. If you are reaching too far for a position based on your past experience, that means the company may be stretching too far in hiring you. Companies are not taking the risks they used to."

When you land that interview, treat it like a first date. "Always be well-groomed and professional," says Bender. "Do not show up in shorts, T-shirts or looking like you're going out dancing. It's always better to overdress then underdress. Companies for the most part are pretty conservative and they want their staff to look that way. Keep your piercings and tattoos covered as much as possible, practice good dental hygiene and make sure your hair is conservatively styled. Do not smoke before walking into an interview or put on too much perfume or cologne."

It is critical that you project a positive image during the interview. Don't dwell on the problems you had at your last company and how bad your boss was. When talking about your job history talk about the positive things. Be honest about why you're no longer with that company, but stay upbeat.

Remember, too, that the HR manager is working much harder than she did before the recession. It's a fact of her life that when budgets are cut, the human resources department is overhead, especially prone to reductions when a company lays off employees and cuts back on hiring. There are significantly more people out there submitting resumes and filling out applications for the jobs that are available, so her workload just going through all of them can be staggering. Be patient, she's not ignoring you. In addition to reviewing resumes, she has to handle all of the employee problems and issues that pile up. She is doing her best to do a good job for both you and the company, so it will take time.

Bender sums it up perfectly, "Be positive! Everyone knows how bad the economy is and, in all honesty, we've all got family members or friends who have been affected by it drastically. It makes us mad and we are frustrated."

It may feel like your job search will go on forever, but it won't. When that day finally comes and you hear those long anticipated words, "We'd like to offer you the job," it will make all of your frustrations vanish and all of your efforts worthwhile.

Tom Haynie is chief operating officer of Manpower of Southern Nevada.