Grace under pressure
The single most important way to improve your chances is to keep your wits about you. Many developers find it hard to deal with the constant communication requirements of an intense job search. Egos are battered, and stress is high. Extended unemployment is humbling, and you shouldn't ignore the impact it can have on your ability to present yourself.
To counteract some of the stress, don't put all of your energy into one lead. Create a system for tracking leads and keep it updated with each contact. Once tracking leads becomes habit, your search and follow-up processes will become much easier, saving you a lot of time and stress. Before long, you'll be contacting dozens of companies a week.
If you're having trouble getting interviews, apply for more junior positions or use consulting companies for contract placement. The important thing is to get on board with a company. Once you're there, your potential will be recognized.
Finally, the best thing you can do on all fronts is to network. Spend time with your tech friends and send out e-mails to people you've lost touch with. Not only does networking provide you with support from your peers, but it will help keep you on top of your technology and may also help generate job leads. But remember, networking is about give and take. Share leads that aren't a match for you with these people, and they will return the favor.
Winning the war
Finding a job in today's market is difficult. You're competing with hundreds of people who might be very much like you. By finding leads in areas you might not have otherwise looked, working on your marketing skills, and staying calm, organized, and connected, you'll improve your chances immensely.
Being out of work is an extremely stressful situation, and odd jobs and unemployment checks are little comfort. Staying emotionally detached and shamelessly enthusiastic is difficult to do, but it will improve your motivation and boost your morale. Try these tactics and remember to stay positive. Before you know it, you'll be back in your own cubicle.
