Hoping to advance one’s career during a recession may seem like wishful thinking. After all, unemployment rates are soaring, the job market is shrinking, and employers across the nation are increasingly implementing salary and hiring freezes.

In spite of such obstacles, career coach Katy Piotrowski believes that people can still move their career forward and even use the economic chaos to their advantage. “The major shifts in today’s job market are opening exciting doors for savvy professionals. While others flail about confused and worried, those with a proactive advancement plan can make huge strides ahead in their careers over the next 12 months.”

In her most recent book, The Career Coward’s Guide to Career Advancement, Piotrowski unveils the essential steps that everyone—from entry-level rookies to workforce veterans—should be taking to position themselves for new opportunities in their career.

Piotrowski shares three of her strategies for uncovering opportunities and moving your career forward in floundering and flourishing times in the economy:

· Join groups that will support your progress.

Connecting with other like-minded professionals can keep your career goals on track and introduce you to little-known opportunities within your occupation or industry.

To uncover groups that align with your career goals and interests, consider joining: civic organizations, such as Rotary Clubs or Junior Leagues; business networking and mastermind groups, such as Business Networking International; hobby clubs and nonprofit organizations, such as church boards or United Way; and professional associations, such as the Society of Women Engineers.

· Work for free to move ahead faster.

With so much competition in today’s job market, it can be difficult to score a job without a track record of success. But how do you get the experience you need when no one will hire you?

To sidestep this dilemma, consider working for free. This strategy will help you try your hand at a particular role and may be particularly attractive to employers looking to save money. Try coordinating this opportunity with smaller organizations, which have less red tape and boundaries, or through educational institutions in the form of an internship.

· Infuse your network with Internet power.

If you’re not taking advantage of online networking tools, you could be missing out on great opportunities in your career. Participating on networking Web sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and Brightfuse will introduce you to business contacts in your occupation, industry or local area; enhance your online visibility; connect you to unadvertised job opportunities; and keep you up-to-speed on emerging trends and tools as they relate to your job or future career goals.

Remember, simply having a profile on these Web sites isn’t enough. You’ll need to keep your profile up-to-date and work to connect with people who are familiar and new to you.

The Career Coward’s Guide to Career Advancement is now available at all major bookstores and from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST).