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How to find a job
You ain't gettin' any younger

Being unemployed isn't so bad on the weekends when all your friends can play, but when Monday rolls around, it's just you and the TV.

So here you are again. What's on the agenda for today? After Jenny Jones, of course. More quality slacking? Maybe you should think about firing up that computer and adding something to society. C'mon, ya big baby, get up off that couch and head for the Net.

Regardless of your age or expertise, you can find plenty of online job opportunities. So many companies, newspapers, and job listings are now on the Net, that it has become invaluable to job hunters. Think of how much more convenient it is to job-hunt on the Net: You don't have to leave home, you don't have to use the bus -- heck, you don't even have to smile. Most schmoozing you do will be electronic, so you can kiss up online and still maintain your integrity ... sort of.

You're doubtful? Don't be, because there are about 800 ways you can find a job online. Your first step could be your favorite search engine. Fortify yourself with some likely key words and go to town. You can virtually go to town too, if you want to search for a job in a specific area. Maybe you can finally get that chinchilla ranching position in Toledo.

You still don't believe me, do you? Maybe you'll be convinced when you see all the great resources on the Net, such as classifieds, job banks, recruiters, temp agencies, resume services, and special resources for college students. This includes career guides if you don't know what you want to do, employment newsgroups, and even cost-of-living data for selected cities. In addition, if you're an incredibly lazy slobbo, you can even find services that create a list of potential employers for you.

And remember -- the comics aren't the only reason to read the newspaper. Online versions are updated, in many cases, more frequently than their print counterparts. In fact, some jobs are only listed online, so the actual paper won't do you any good. The online papers in the area where you'd like to work should have the latest classified section available. So instead of waiting for the big classified section to come out on Sunday, you can check the Web any hour, any day.

Many companies have Web sites, so a quick way to get information is by going directly to the source. In addition to job listings, corporate home pages usually list the name of the human resources director or the e-mail address of the vice-president. Of course, you can also get the street address of a local company if you want to swing by, disguised as a bike messenger. Just roll out of bed, grab the closest available clothing, don some bizarre hat, and hop on your thrashed up 10-speed.

Once you find a job that sounds interesting, the protocol is pretty much the same as interviewing in person, only easier. If you've got e-mail, just whip up a cover letter, attach your resume, and you're done.

If you've got a home page that you're proud of, consider sending the URL along, too. So maybe your future employer won't be impressed with the etchings you've done of your poodle, but depending on the job, he or she may appreciate that you're smart enough to create a Web page. Of course, if your home page has a link to naked pictures of Brad Pitt, you might want to modify the site before inviting your prospective boss to have a look-see.

The important thing to remember is that however big the door, whether you're a beginner or a high-flying executive, there are a lot of ways to get in. Use your brain, keep an eye out for where you've been and where you want to go, and the Net can virtually land the job for you. But first you have to get off the couch. After all, you ain't gettin' any younger, and Jenny Jones is a rerun tomorrow.

-- M. Trouble Sample, with contributions from Lisa Dunmeyer

Here's How - Click for more!
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Here's How - Click for more!
Kathryn M. McGrail tells how
to get it done on the Net:
How can I find a job in my field?
How can I search for jobs by location?
What's the netiquette for virtual job hunting?

Snappy Picks

Job-listing megasites
America's Job Bank
Purdue University Placement Service
Job Source
Career City
Best Jobs USA
The Monster Board
CareerMosaic
JobHunt
Career Magazine
JobBank USA
Net Careers
Good Works

Job hunting help
Getting the Job
Resume Maker
Informational Interviewing
About Work
Money Ranks America's 50 Hottest Jobs

Temp-ting agencies
Kelly Services
Adia
Talent Tree
MacSpecialists
Interim Services
Net-Temps
Manpower
AppleOne
Contract Employment Weekly
Computemp

Get experience
The American Red Cross
Internet Nonprofit Center
Service Station
United Nations Volunteers
Volunteer Centers and Listings Online
Project America
The Army

Recruiters and other helpful folks
Recruiters OnLine Network
CareerWEB
Recruitment Database International Ltd
Management Recruiters International
SkillSearch
SHS, Inc.
JobSpot

Post that resume here
IntelliMatch
JobCenter
JobBank USA
Online Career Center
E-Span
HeadHunter.NET


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