-- Put skin in the game. Show confidence in your ability to deliver value by suggesting a heavy portion of performance-dependent compensation.

-- Show, don't tell. Prepare presentations, white papers, supportive reference dossiers and other career management documents that unmistakably prove your strengths to decision makers. Increase your visibility and credibility by publishing, commenting on blogs, posting on online forums, and attending and presenting at conferences.

-- Seek contacts, stay connected. Find out who you need to know -- research speakers, trade publications and online resources to connect with current industry thought leaders. Cultivate contacts likely to generate job leads.

-- Communicate your value with consistent messaging. From resumes and cover letters to online bios and profiles, all must tell employers about the strengths and trustworthiness that make you the first-choice, go-to expert.

-- Connect with targeted company insiders. Making a friend who can walk you down the hall to the boss's office is the best way to be one of the first to learn about and be presented for an unpublished opportunity.

-- Initiate contact with hiring decision makers. Call outside of typical business hours. Use postal mail creatively to attract attention. Leave enticing voice-mail messages communicating what's in it for the employer.

-- Follow up on connections. Be courteous and respectful while preserving leads to new opportunities. If you're not persistent, someone who does follow through is likely to get the job offer that's perfect for you.

Even when you've been a twinkling executive star in your industry, you may be a newbie in today's harder-than-anticipated job hunt -- especially when you have a break on your resume. To get back into the game faster, understand that challenge and deal with it.