If you’re searching for a job in software development you need to pick up your game. There is an abundance of talent out there but fewer jobs today. Until that equation changes, you need to be more competitive with your job responses.

I’ve received the largest batch of resume’s from a craigslist as as I ever have in December 2009 99% of applicants haven’t changed their stripes. Here’s the advice:

1. If you’re out of town, specify whether you’re willing to re-locate or work remotely. Unless you’re exceptional I’m not going to contact you to find out.
2. Read the job posting and respond relevantly. I have a boutique shop that does cool things and a job posting that’s asking for some unique qualities. That means, don’t respond with a standard copy/paste letter or with no email body at all.
3. Along those lines, tell me why you’re a good candidate for the job. I spent time being detailed about the position, spend some time and tell me why you’ll fit. Don’t make me figure it out by deciphering your resume.
4. I get over 100 responses to each job posting. Ask yourself if you’re really going to stand out.
5. Give me your phone number and address, not just an email.
6. I don’t care about your GPA unless you list it as low. Maybe others do. Leave the GPA off, include the year of graduation. If there’s no GPA, I don’t care to know it. If you list a 2.2 GPA, I’m going to notice.
7. I expect everyone is embellishing to a degree, make yourself sound awesome because I’m probably going to assume you’re not as good as you say (unless you say it *really* well)

All that said, it’s a hard market out there and I wish everyone good luck with the job hunt. We’re not at 12% unemployment because it’s easy!