Unemployment is at a 15-year high. So, if you're looking for a job, there's a lot of competition. Here are some tips. (For links to sites mentioned, go to www.komando.com/news.)

STELLAR RESUME

Your resume is your professional calling card. A poorly executed one might well go into the trash. A top-notch and error-free resume is the price of admission.

Most job boards offer tips for crafting a resume. Or search Google for sample resumes. Microsoft Word includes templates.

WATCH FOR FILTERS

Companies often filter resumes with software. So keywords matter. For example, list by name the programs you know. And include a job title in your objective.

If you e-mail your resume, filters could flag it as spam. For example, the term "magna cum laude" will likely flag your message. Predicting what will trigger spam filters is difficult. Online tools like SpamCheck can examine your message for "spammy" words.

RESUME FORMAT

You want a fully formatted resume suitable for printing. Include indents, bullets and font formatting.

But you also need a plain-text resume for e-mailing. It shouldn't have bullets, special characters or font formatting. Use asterisks instead of bullets. All-caps can be used to separate sections.

Indents and complex spacing should be avoided. Spacing often doesn't appear correctly in e-mail and makes your resume less readable.

E-mail it to yourself to check readability.

E-MAIL RESUME

If possible, don't e-mail your resume as an attachment. Attachments can spread malware, so many corporate networks strip them from messages.

Opening an attachment also takes more time. Don't give employers an excuse not to view your resume.

Instead, put the job title or reference number in the e-mail subject line.

In the body of the e-mail, place your cover letter and resume.

FIND OPPORTUNITIES

By all means, use a general job site like CareerBuilder and Monster. But don't forget specialized job boards in your field. Tech workers should try Dice. Upper-level executives should head to TheLadders, which lists jobs paying $100,000 or more. SalesJobs is for sales professionals, while eFinancialCareers specializes in financial positions. For government jobs, hit USAJOBS.

Search Google for other specialized sites.

NETWORK, NETWORK

Networking can help you find unlisted positions. And contacts may be help get your resume to the right person.

First, join an industry organization. You'll meet others in your field, including those with hiring authority. You'll also hear about opportunities. Many organizations have their own job boards.

Join an online professional networking site to develop new connections. The most popular is LinkedIn. You might also try Ecademy and Ryze.

MY LAST WORD

I have done a lot of hiring over the years. Resumes that are off-target are quickly pitched. I once advertised for a researcher. A guy sent a resume highlighting his invention of a pizza machine! Too bad I wasn't looking for that. Tailor your resume to fit the job.

If you get an interview, act like you want the job. Have a few questions. Answer those asked with confidence and enthusiasm. And always, always send a thank-you note afterward.