• Federal Government
• Job Service Offices
• Career Service Offices
• Chamber of Commerce Offices
• Library (periodical & reference sections)
• Professional Journals
• Professional Newsletters
• Trade Unions
• Business sections of newspapers
• Ads in all publications
• Organizations (professional/social)
• Professional/Business Directories
• Yellow Pages
• City, County and State Government
• Radio & Television advertisements
• Current periodicals
• Bookstores

The list you have just reviewed is only a small list, now brainstorm additional sources for job leads.

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One strategy is to reduce competition by finding job leads where access is limited. These job leads can be developed by networking with people who have the power to hire and demonstrating how your skills and abilities can be a business asset even when no job currently exists.

  Non-traditional job lead sources

Networking is a non-traditional job lead source which can reveal non-visible job openings. The networking interview is a process used to cultivate and enlist people to be active "ears" on your behalf. A networking interview is not the type of job interview where you will "formally" proceed through a pre-set interview structure. Although it will have some of the same characteristics, this interview/meeting will allow you to provide information about yourself, seek job lead assistance, request feedback on ideas you have about job searching, and gain the confidence of the person. You will also use this time to obtain the names of more people with whom to network.

A networking interview can be very important to you when visiting with people who have the ability to hire new employees. Dress as you would for a formal interview and always treat everyone you meet in a professional manner (even people you know well) whenever you are network interviewing.

It is recommended that you provide a resume to any of the networking contacts you meet with or have visited, especially to those who have the ability to make hiring decisions.

Also send anyone you meet or visit with a thank you note. Keep in regular contact, just say "hi", or tell them you are still available and seeking employment. Remember they may have more ideas, leads, and/or contacts. As you network, determine which contacts should receive more or less follow-up calls (no one should be dropped from you contact list) and consider follow-up interview meetings.

  Some questions to consider when analyzing classified ads:

• Does the position have a high turn- over rate? This may be why an employer decided to use the paper to obtain a larger or constant flow of applications.
• Does the job require specialized skills and so need a wider applicant search to gain enough applicants to choose from.
• Is the job so mundane or routine that a constant flow of applicants is needed.
• Does your resume and cover letter state your skills as they apply to the position announcement.

  When applying for any advertised job opening:

• Create a cover letter listing your specific skills as they match the announcement.
• Create a functional resume, unless you have a work history which clearly outlines jobs in the same type of position or business.
• Always write your skills in the resume so they match the job announcement, point by point.
• Don't include references if not requested.
• When the employer requests references, contact your references to let them know of your application and interest in the job.
• Have an answering machine so the employer can leave a message if you are not available.