Do power, action and commitment drive your executive search campaign? Are you organized, structured and in control of your job search process? Are you open to change and transition? Are you excited about the new opportunities that present themselves?

If you answered "yes" to all of the above questions, you're in control and moving forward in your search campaign. Let the following tips inspire you to greater heights.

If you're feeling a bit out of control and like a passive participant in your own search campaign, consider the following as challenges to be met as you move toward action.

Let these strategies, phrases and concepts drive your successful search campaign:

Independence: Who Do You Work For?

You work for yourself, forever and always. No matter who writes your paycheck, consider yourself self-employed. Never be fooled into believing your company considers you family. Those days are long since gone.

Commitment: Job Searching is a Job

The more time and energy you devote to your search campaign, the more resumes you get out and the more aggressively you network, the faster your search will proceed. If you're employed, commit yourself to 20-plus hours a week. If you're not currently working, 40-plus hours should be your minimum.

Marketing: Job Searching is Marketing

You have a product to sell -- yourself. Approach your search as a marketing campaign, preparing top-flight marketing communications (resumes, cover letters and executive profiles) and using a multitiered distribution strategy (networking, targeted email campaigns, Internet postings, ad responses and executive job search leads).

Preparedness: Start Now

If you know you are going to leave your current position, whether in two weeks or nine months, start your search campaign now. Don't wait until you've already left your position. There will be too much downtime and potentially lost opportunities.

Introspection: Consult a Career Coach

If you are uncertain as to your current career direction, goals or desires, consult a career coach or counselor. Before you launch your search campaign, take a step backwards and clearly define who you are and what you want. The clearer your objectives, then the clearer your job search path and the faster your success.

Verification: Get References on All Job Search Services

With the tremendous expansion in the job search industry, the number of firms offering job search services has exploded. Most are extremely reputable and provide consistently high-quality services. Others, however, have jumped on the bandwagon to take advantage of unsuspecting job seekers. Check references carefully to protect your dollars, integrity and search campaign.

Optimize: Optimize Your Resources

If you are an experienced job seeker, you might consider asking for job search dollars instead of outplacement services. You will find that those dollars can take you far when managing your search campaign independently. However, if you want structure and support in your campaign and will do better with a team on your side, then outplacement is indeed a valuable resource for you.

Structure: Stick to a Schedule

Establish a schedule and stick to it. It's very difficult to write resumes when constantly interrupted. It is just as difficult to concentrate on an important phone call when you know you've only got 15 minutes to get five resumes in the mail before the end of the day. Consider mornings for writing and afternoons for calls and interviews, or whatever works best for you. Take control, but remember flexibility is essential. You certainly never want to ignore any potential opportunity.

Global: Stress Your International Experience

The business world has globalized at an unprecedented pace. Be sure to highlight any and all international work experience, foreign language skills and cross-cultural background.

Versatility: Let Your Resume Work in Other Ways