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Going to the big sites: The three largest job searching sites are strongly recommended. They are easy to navigate and have immense databases of jobs. Resume posting is easy too. Have a copy of your resume as a PDF file for responding to job postings. CareerBuilder.com Two more job search sites gather openings from numerous other Internet resources and present them in searchable form. Craigslist is a relatively new way to search for jobs and has proven very effective for younger job applicants. This emerging resource is worth looking at and posting a resume on. But apply fast with your resume and a cover letter if you find something you like. Posts are only good for a few days. Potential drawbacks include including having your personal information readable by anyone on the Internet. It is recommended that you post a modified resume without your name, address, phone number, or business e-mail. Choose a personal e-mail as your contact, one without an online profile somewhere. Modifying your recent employer's name can protect you if you are currently working. Checking out the smaller, occupation specific sites: There are too many to list here. But a Google search on "engineering jobs new york" easily brings up relevant sites for this occupation. A great many job categories now have their own sites (like PracticeMatch.com for doctors or JobsintheMoney.com for accounting and finance). There are sites dedicated to alternative careers like Idealist.org for nonprofits and TransitionsAbroad.com for working outside the United States. Six figure job site: There is one site that costs a monthly fee, but is well worth the money. TheLadders.com can save time and put your resume in front of the right people. Social networking sites: Too many resumes on the big sites? Try Facebook, Linkedln, or Plaxo. These services allow you to post your resume and include other information about yourself on a personalized page. Once you create a page, you reach out to form links to others with a similar career background, college affiliation, or professional interest. Those links become your extended job network. There are questions of on-line etiquette, of course. And warnings about inappropriate content (aimed at recent grads who use these sites as part of their social life). But recruiters are using these resources more and more and they are worth considering. If you are new at this, start by doing a little reading. Job discussion site: Reading about specific companies can give you job search ideas. Much of it is inside information not available elsewhere. Getting e-mail job alerts or RSS feeds: Many job search sites provide a way for automating searches so that you don't have to put in the same criteria each time you sign in. Signing up for e-mail notification has been around for some time. An RSS feed is based on your web browser. By going to a designated URL, you get to read all the latest matches to your job search criteria. Use both e-mail notifications and RSS feeds where they are offered. Using your college network: Most colleges have put their alumni "advisors" in a database that is often searchable on the web. Call the career development office to make use of it. The alumni network can be helpful both for advice and job openings. It is used by all ages. Using your computer to avoid calling or meeting people: Don't spend more than two or three hours a day on your computer. You need to get out and meet people, especially if you are home and out of work. Use your computer time to schedule face to face contacts rather than endlessly sending out resumes. 
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