DEAR JOYCE: My husband, a professional in manufacturing, is unemployed. I worked as an administrative assistant until last month. How can we quickly improve our job prospects? -- C.S.

Consider these fast-read, actionable tips.

Ready or not. Most people overestimate how prepared they are to launch a search. Try the new and free Job-Hunt Readiness Evaluator from Robert Half International and Upwardly Mobile Inc. at rhi.com.

Right resume. The days of sending the same resume to every company are long gone. Customize and target each resume with keywords and phrases mentioned in job postings. Free help: Search on Dummies.com for my article, "Write Hot Resumes that Open Job Interview Doors."

Self-marketing documents. Develop an arsenal of cover letters, networking letters, sales-oriented thank-you letters and other self-marketing messages designed to spur interviews and job offers. But you have modest writing skills, you say? So pay an English major at a local college to polish your work, or hire a professional resume writer. Free ideas: Go to About.com; click on "Resumes/Letters" and read about cover letters. More detailed ideas: my 2009 book, "Cover Letters For Dummies."

Fast move. Scurry to send your resume within 48 hours of a job posting. Flooded with qualified applicants, companies may not process late arrivals. Follow directions in the job posting.

Smooth moves. Reconnoiter the company's Web site to possibly find the e-mail address and phone number of the executive who ultimately makes the hiring decision. Send your customized resume and cover letter to that person. Even if the hiring manager merely ships your resume to the human resource department, it will get more notice because it came from the inside.

Online sending. Equip your computer with up-to-date antivirus software. E-mails with a virus are unlikely to get through the company's virus protection. Spam filters can send your resume into cyber-oblivion as well. Follow up with a call to confirm your resume's receipt and ask if it has been routed and to whom. Continued...