Being  underemployed is a joy to some, and terribly frustrating to others. If you are off-track to your career goals, however, a change in   mindset , along with a tune-up of your job hunting techniques, may be in order.

You may think that you are effectively hiding it, but the chances are that when you go to interviews you look and act as demoralized as you feel.  Most likely, your desparation and unhappiness shows. You can't market yourself well if your head is hanging, your voice is a monotone, and you can't think of anything nice to say about yourself or what you are currently doing.  Prospective employers can sense your misery. No doubt this is making your job hunt even more difficult.

My first suggestion is to take stock of the situation and stop feeling sorry for yourself.  Times may be tough, but you do have a way to pay the bills, and you (presumably) are movitated to find something better. 

Re-energize yourself and your job search. Don't feel ashamed that you are employed temporarily below your professional level!  Your job is NOT who you are!  You are still the intelligent, skilled, professional you always were!   In fact, give yourself quodos for sticking to the job search and doing what you have to do to pay your bills!

There are things you can also do to alleviate your frustration and depression:  take care of your body by eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising. Take care of your mind and spirit by doing things you enjoy outside of work.

Before you sit down to write a cover letter or go to an interview, spent a few minutes reminding yourself of all the good things you have to offer an employer, by reviewing your resume and counting your blessings. You will re-discover how amazing you are!

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Life throws everyone a few, tough breaks. It's hard to remember this when the phone isn't ringing with offers, and you don't like the job you have. But you are working-- that's a start. Think of all the other people out there doing jobs they don't like to pay the rent (E.g. lots of actors, artists and entrepreneurs working on their dreams). Keep your courage and your spirits up! You have goals and skills and you will move out of the secretarial pool and back into a job you feel great about...it is just a matter of effort, attitude...and perseverance.

Your boss is probably aware that you have done higher-level work but s/he might not realize you could use your professional skills in the job you have. Why not ask your boss if you can help out on some projects using your professional skills (to keep them sharp), after you've completed your secretarial duties for the day. Even if you're not paid at a higher rate you will make the day more interesting. While not all bosses are willing to let people work out of their job titles, most will see your enthusiasm as a good thing that makes you more valuable to the company. You can also keep your skills sharp by volunteering for a worthy cause after-hours. You'll feel good about "doing good" for others, and get a new set of like-minded people to network with (one might hold the key to your next new job). How about after-hours freelancing or consulting? You'll get new "professional" credentials to add to your resume, and the extra money can pay the bills, or perhaps purchase a few luxuries (e.g. some pampering at a day spa) to make your life a little more satisfying. Working on something that you enjoy is an energy booster! TRY IT!

While you're working on reaching your career goals, keep in mind that you may feel underemployed in an administrative-level job, but there are secretaries of all levels. Most businesses would surely fail without the aid of intelligent, and motivated secretaries -- and some wield tremendous amounts of power (and make huge salaries). I seriously doubt they consider being a secretary a bad job in the "pink collar ghetto!"

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The most common reasons job seekers don't get the results include:

UNREALISTIC GOALS: It's great to challenge yourself,  but if you need a job and the only ones you apply for are a "stretch," the competition will be greater and you will have to accept that your job search is going to take even longer than normal.

Sometimes the best route to your goal isn't upwards, it's sideways. onsider a lateral move so you won't be tracked in your secretarial mode, And since you're already employed, apply for jobs in the company you're in that are close to your professional skills, not over or under them.    You can always continue job hunt..and at least you won't be in the secretarial pool.

TARGETING THE WRONG COMPANIES (or the wrong people). Unless you're ready to make a career change and go for additional training, or you are lucky enough to land a job where you'll "learn-as-you-earn," target companies that need the skills you already have. For example, trying to land a job in the entertainment industry, when you have no experience, contacts, or track record and your professional skills are in mechanical engineering, is unrealistic.

INEFFECTIVE RESUME: Is your resume effective, or does it show your lack of confidence?  Ask a few people to critique your current resume and cover letter. Check for typos and grammar. Check your cover letter savvy, too.   Make several different versions that emphasize what you have to offer and what would be appealing to the different types of jobs you apply for.  Consider creatively changing your secretarial job title (don't outright lie, but "assistant" sounds better than secretary if you don't want to be tracked there).  You might also consider a functional resume where your skills, not job titles, will be the focus. This strategy will work well for you since you're not organizing by job title and that secretarial job will not, by default, be the first item.

SPORADIC JOB HUNT:   Yes, job hunting is tiring, but it isn't enough just to answer a few classified ads once a week and check on the internet, if you really want to make a move...fast!  A job hunt is a JOB in itself.  You must do something positive towards finding a job every day!  Write your job-hunting activities down each day in a list or on your calendar. When you look back over the past week you will feel confident that you've been working hard to make your dreams come true, or see that you've been slacking off.

JOB HUNTING TOO HARD: Being dedicated to the search is good, but you can actually overdo it! You'll lose perspective and your enthusiasm if there are no other interests or activities in your life besides job hunting. Set aside a reasonable amount of time each day to reach your career goals, do your work, then focus on something else.

POOR NETWORKING: Networking is the best way to find a great job, since many of the best jobs are never advertised. Most employers would rather hire a recommendation than plow through piles of anonymous resumes.  Join and become active in your professional associations. You'll make new contacts and stay in the professional arena. Dust off your old Rolodex (or PDA contact list)-- make some phone calls --send some E-mails. Let everyone know what your areas of expertise are, and that you're looking for new opportunities . Don't whine or complain to your contacts. Simply say you've opted to do temporary work so that you can take your time with your job hunt.

NEGATIVE PERSONAL MARKETING: It's a challenge to feel enthusiastic, perky, and confident, when your ego is sagging along, but depressed, unhappy people radiate their misery and no one wants to be around it!  Even though the competition is fierce, the people who get picked most often are not always those with the strongest skills. They are the ones who convey energy, enthusiasm,  confidence, a good fit for the company and really, really,WANT the job!

When you do land an interview, dress professionally, arrive on time, stand tall, make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, research the company before you interview (so you sound really interested and informed), and ask relevant questions. Treat your current situation as "just what I've gotta do right now" and direct the conversation to the professional skills you have to help the employer.