Finding a job can take months of time and effort. But you can speed the process by using many methods to find job openings. People who use many job hunting methods find work much faster than those who use only one or two. Here are some tips to get you started:

Personal Contacts

Many jobs are never advertised. People get them by talking to friends, family, neighbours, acquaintances, teachers, former co-workers, and others who know of an opening. Be sure to tell people that you are looking for a job because the people you know may be some of the most effective resources for your search. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations.

Careers Advisers

Secondary School and College placement services help their students find jobs. Some invite recruiters to use their facilities for interviews or career fairs. They also may have lists of open jobs. Most also offer career counselling, career testing, and job hunting advice. Some have career resource libraries; host workshops on job hunting strategy, resume writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of resumes; conduct mock interviews; and sponsor job fairs.

Employers

Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting. Through library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Then call these employers and check their websites for job openings. Websites and business directories can tell you how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer: You never know when a job might become available. Consider asking for an informational interview with people working in the career you want to learn more about. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. In addition to giving you career information, they may be able to put you in contact with other employers who may be hiring, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up.

Classified ads

The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers and the Internet list numerous jobs, and many people find work by responding to these ads. But when using classified ads, keep the following in mind:

• Follow all leads to find a job; do not rely solely on the classifieds.
• Answer ads promptly, because openings may be filled quickly, even before the ad stops appearing in the paper.
• Read the ads every day, particularly the Sunday edition, which usually includes the most listings.
• Keep a record of all ads to which you have responded, including the specific skills, educational background, and personal qualifications required for the position. You may want to follow up on your initial inquiry.

Internet Resources

The Internet includes many job hunting websites with job listings. Some job boards provide National listings of all kinds; others are local. Some relate to a specific type of work; others are general. To find good prospects, begin with an Internet search using keywords related to the job you want. Also look for the websites of related professional associations.

Also consider checking Internet forums, also called message boards. These are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about the job huntinges or career experiences of other people. Although these message boards may seem helpful, carefully evaluate all advice before acting; it can be difficult to determine the reliability of information posted on message boards.

In online job databases, remember that job listings may be posted by field or discipline, so begin your search using keywords. Many websites allow job seekers to post their resumes online for free.

Professional Associations

Many professions have associations that offer employment information, including career planning, educational programs, job listings, and job placement. Information can be obtained directly from most professional associations through the Internet, by telephone, or by mail. Associations usually require that you be a member to use these services.

Jobcentre Plus

Although this one is a bit obvious, it is nonetheless overlooked. Use the computer terminal to find local jobs. Don't forget to ask a member of staff for advice too. You'll be pleasantly surprised to find that they really do know what the local job market is like and can help you find work.

Employment Agencies

These agencies can save you time and they will contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate. Such agencies offer a free service to job hunters but charge the hiring company a fee. Keeping in constant contact with these agencies will ensure they remember you whenever there is an appropriate opening.

Internships

Many people find jobs with business and organizations with whom they have interned or volunteered. Look for internships and volunteer opportunities on job boards, school career centres, and company and association websites, but also check community service organizations and volunteer opportunity databases. Internships and long-term volunteer positions provide experience and the chance to meet employers and other good networking contacts.

Anyway, getting back to the subject, you can set up a personal blog and mention your strengths, the sort of work you’re looking for etc. Make the blog a bit chatty and interesting though. You’ll be surprised at the sort of response you’ll get. To make sure your contacts read the blog, add a signature to the bottom of your emails with the blog’s URL (web address) in it. If you keep adding to your blog every day or so then you have more chance of people reading it.

Not only will your contacts be reading the blog but their contacts will also get to know about it through word of mouth. The more people that read the blog the more chance you’ll have of someone emailing you with dsetails of vacancies.

If you want some more job hunting tips and strategies then click on "The Book " tab at the top of this page.

So get blogging!