You have to have a strategy, something that is proactive, definitive and structured (don’t just wait for job ads to be placed!). Make a list of the companies you want to work for, find out who you can contact, tailor your applications to suit the different companies and, most importantly, follow up after you’ve sent in an application or had an interview. Send your contacts thank-you e-mails, and get in touch with them at a later stage to check for updates on the position.

Do what the competition would not think of doing or cannot be bothered to do. For example, network as much as you can to help build your professional connections and send customised Linked-in invitations to potential hiring managers.

Don’t let rejection letters—or the lack of callbacks—stop you from keeping up the job hunt. Stay focused and, when you’re not busy sending out job applications, do things that make you feel good about yourself. Talk to your loved ones and ask your close friends for advice.

As you search, it’s easy to lose hope and believe what others tell you about finding a job in a weak economy. Despite the negative economic outlook, remember that jobs are still out there, your skills are still in demand and employers are still willing to pay you what you deserve

Keep scrolling to read our experts have to say about five common myths.

Being passive gets you nowhere. Julia says to actively approach people who work in companies you can see yourself being part of. You never know, they may be able to connect you to someone you can speak with about a job or, better yet, who has the power to hire you.

Some people will tell you that you should be grateful that at least someone is willing to hire you. But it’s important to exercise some care in what you’re choosing to commit to.

“If you don’t see aspects of a job contributing to your growth or the job doesn’t align with your values, don’t settle; keep looking for something that does,” Julia advises.

Not necessarily. When the economy recovers or a full-time position for the role you took on opens up, the company is more likely to hire you because they’ve come to know you and your work – provided you did a great job, of course. So make the most of that temp job and treat it as if it was permanent, Julia says.

Companies are willing to invest in top talent, says Julia. And telling yourself that asking for less pay will increase your chances of hire may actually raise questions about your confidence in your worth.

It’s OK to stick to the market rate, and there are a few ways to find this out. Visit the Ministry of Manpower’s website, which has benchmarking tools to give you a sense of industry norms, or check out job portals and look for work that’s similar to what you’re gunning for. Some listings will indicate salary offers, and that gives you a good starting point.

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Some companies may have implemented a hiring freeze, but that’s not true across the board, so don’t stop sending out your resume. Paul says: “Whatever the state of the economy, you still need to look for work, right So forget about those factors you have no influence over or can’t change, and keep searching.”

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Text: Sasha Gonzales

A version of this article first appeared in HerWorld.