A study recently released by an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State University and two of his colleagues found that job seekers who participate in career service training programs are 2.67 times more likely to find employment than those who do not participate. They also found these programs to be particularly effective for younger (under 35 years old) and older (50 and older) job seekers.

The catch? Not all job search training programs are created equal; as a job seeker, you need to know what programs have the critical elements needed to help you land a job.

If you’re looking for a good job search training program, here are some of the main elements it should include:

If you’ve spent the last few weeks or even months searching for a job, chances are you might be feeling a little burned out.

Research shows the average job seeker gives up on their job search after five months. Instead of giving up on your job search, reach out to your friends and colleagues for help. These people can give you the support you need to stay focused during your search.

Job search buddies help job seekers stay motivated during their search. Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the courage to attend networking events alone or remember to follow up with employers. By having a job search buddy on your side, you’ll make the most of your job search and discover more opportunities.

Hot dogs, fireworks, family, and friends. What’s not to love about the 4th of July weekend?

While most of us will be out grilling and enjoying the warm weather, it’ll be tempting to put our careers on hold for the weekend.

Although this is a long overdue vacation for most of us, 4th of July weekend presents a great networking opportunity for job seekers. Whether you’re unemployed or looking for a new job, it’s important not forgo your job search altogether while you’re celebrating with friends and family.

To help you take your job search to the next level over the holiday weekend, here are five unlikely networking opportunities to take advantage of this 4th of July:

For job seekers, the summer months present a great opportunity for their job search.

There’s a common misconception held by job seekers that employers don’t hire during the summer. Although it seems like employers slow down their hiring process, it’s important to realize most employers don’t take a vacation from hiring.

Research shows hiring picks up by the end of August after a slowdown in July. Despite this slowdown, employers still take the time to recruit new hires. This gives summer job seekers an advantage because you can spend time networking your way into new job opportunities.

Many employers also spend the summer months preparing for their upcoming year, which means they’ll be scoping out talent during the summer. To take advantage of this opportunity, job seekers need to be on top of their job search game.

Instead of taking a vacation from your job search this summer, here are five ways to heat it up:

If you’ve already gone through the proactive checklist to find a job, you have likely started working towards establishing meaningful relationships that have led to good job prospects. Now it’s time to take the next step and make sure the job opportunities you’re applying for will be a good fit for you in the long-term.

To begin the job search checklist process, consider and rate the most important job factors listed below:

Losing your job is something no one ever wants to face, but sometimes it’s a reality we must overcome.

If you’ve been laid off from work or your position was eliminated, your employer may refer you to an outplacement service. Outplacement services are outside firms who specialize in career counseling and help displaced employees get back on their feet.

Unfortunately, not every employer can provide the best outplacement services for their displaced employees. While some outplacement programs provide excellent services, there are others that provide only the bare minimum, such as providing one consultation with a career counselor or only referring employees to job boards.

If you’re struggling to get the assistance you need from outplacement services, here are some tips for getting what you deserve:

Let’s face it, almost every individual wants to land their dream job. Unfortunately, only 14 percent of Americans say they’re in their dream careers.

When it comes to landing the job you’ve always wanted, you can’t rely on your resume and cover letter to do the work for you. Landing a dream job requires patience, persistence, and even a little sweat and tears.

If you’ve found a dream job opening or you’re trying to launch your dream career, here are five steps to landing the job you really want:

We know a secret that will change your job search forever. Curious?

It’s simple: Think like an employer!

Although the answer may be simple, figuring out where to take your job search from here may not be. In order to think like an employer during your job search, you need to put yourself in their shoes through every step of the hiring process. Getting into this mindset will help you write a better resume, perform better during interviews, and discover what employers truly seek in a strong candidate.

An employer’s ultimate goal for hiring a new employee is to find someone who fits the job opening and will play a role in advancing the organization’s capabilities. Listed below are questions employers ask themselves during the interview process, and ways you can use that information to land a job:

Many job seekers share a common perception during a job interview — that they must please employers with their answers. However, this can cause you to come off as “fake” or lacking integrity during the interview.

When it comes to job interviews, employers actually want to learn why you’re the best fit for the position and how your personality, experience, and skills qualify you for the job. Employers want to learn the real you in order to gain a better understanding of how your character and behaviors fit the position and their culture.

As you prepare for your next job interview, here are some tips to help you be your very best self: