So, where do you find the jobs? Most people start with the big Employment Super Sites. You cannot, and should not, ignore the big sites, particularly if want to work for a large employer. However, they are much less important than they used to be, so do not invest a lot of time in searching for jobs on the big job boards. 

Job Search Tutorial: Job Search Tutorial Home Part 1: Starting Your Online Job Search Step 1: Get Help with Your Job Search Step 2: Decide What Job(s) You Want 2A: Start a Career Change Step 3: Determine Your Online Reputation Step 4: Manage Your Online Reputation Step 5: Manage Your Personal Communications Step 6: Prepare Your Resume and Profiles Step 7: Shop for Your Next Employer Part 2: Implementing Your Online Job Search Step 1: Implement Your Job Search Step 2: Find Jobs Online Step 3: Keep Track of Your Job Search Step 4: Stand Out From the Crowd Step 5: Tap the Hidden Job Market Part 3: Preparing for Your Next Job Search Prepare for Your Next Search Additional Information Recover from Job Loss Career Changer's Guide to Careers Create Your Best Resume How to Research Companies New Grads' Job Search Boomers' Job Search Introverts' Job Search Veterans' Job Search Federal Government Job Search Stealth Job Search Free Job Search and Career eBooks Online Job Search Guide - many more topics and help

Note: limiting your job search to only the big job boards is a very big mistake.

Remember, you're sunk until you figure out what you want to do (see Step 1). Seriously!  If you don't know, it's like getting into your car to go "somewhere" without knowing why or where you want to go. Or like going to the library for "something to read" or to the mall for "something to buy." Chances are you won't end up where you want to be or get what you really want or need.

Where the Jobs Are

Assuming that you know what you want to do and where you want to do it, you'll find millions of jobs posted online. If it has been a couple of years since you've searched for a job, start at # 1, and go through the whole list:

1. Employer Websites - finding your target employers' websites and then finding the jobs on them.
   
   
2. Networking - the person-to-person connection is THE source of the most job offers.
   
   
3. Associations and Alumni Groups - very effective for networking
   
   
4. Social Media - a relative new-comer but becoming very effective
   
   
5. LinkedIn - the most powerful and effective of the professional networks
   
   
6. Job Aggregators - powerful and very useful
   
   
7. Job Sites - popular, but perhaps not as effective as they once were
   
   
8. Recruiters, Staffing Firms, & Head Hunters - can help or hurt, and they don't work for you. They work for the employer
   
   
9. Classified Ads - very effective but watch out for the scams
   
   
10. Google - Google has many hidden talents plus excellent tools for your job search

Direct usually works best for local small businesses.

If you want to work at the local mall or in the local McDonald's restaurant, go to that business and ask for an employment application to complete. Dress nicely, be polite, and complete the form neatly and legibly, and you'll probably end up with at least an interview the next time there is a job opening.

Re-Entry for Veterans plus Federal Job Search

• Veterans' Job Search Expert (and USAF Veteran) Patra Frame writes a excellent article every month about Job Search for Veterans with many very helpful articles from Veterans' Job Search Expert Patra Frame and Contributor Diane Hudson Burns.
  
  
• Federal Job Search Expert Camille Carboneau-Roberts has written a series of great articles about Federal Government Job Search and an excellent ebook on USAJOBS Resume Builder

Also read Wendy Gelberg's Job Search for Introverts articles if you are introverted or have a tendency to be shy.

Lastly, Be Careful Out There!

Remember - no matter what Website you are visiting, even one listed in Job-Hunt, be sure to protect your privacy, watch out for scams, and avoid the Dirty Dozen Online Job Search Mistakes as well as the Dirty Dozen Dangerous Assumptions!

© Copyright, 1998 - 2012, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved.

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About the author...

Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. Susan is a two-time layoff "graduate" who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 1998, her company, NETability, Inc. purchased Job-Hunt.org, and Susan has been editor and publisher of Job-Hunt since then. Follow Susan on Twitter at @jobhuntorg and on Google+ .

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