Before you do anything, go to Job-Hunt.org and make sure you know what you are doing. Another good site is Career Jockey for more resources. Also check PrepareToBeHired.com - some fee, some free.

I would also strongly recommend that you get at least a free membership on LinkedIn. The hiring manager (or director or C level) that you want to network with is most likely on LinkedIn. Work on building your network on LinkedIn by inviting all of your present and past managers, work associates, relatives, and anybody else you know. The more links that you have, the more people you have access to on LinkedIn. You can invite me to link (I will accept any invitation) at  http://www.linkedin.com/in/chetvolpe.

While all the job boards, classified ads, internet postings, resume distributions, and contact with agency recruiters (like me) are an essential part of the job search (after all, you don't want to miss anything), networking person to person is the single best way to land a job. You need to make these connection via networking events in your area, talking to people that you find on sites like LinkedIn, talking to strangers while in line at the store, research at the local library, and searches on the internet. 

One site that facilitates this type of connection is SimplyHired. When you do a skill search in your local area, some of the results may show a LinkedIn icon next to the result item. This will show you a list of people at the company advertising the position. This gives you a place to start - a target list of people to connect with that work at the company. Even if none of these are in a position to make a hiring decision, a peer contact will be able to recommend you to a manager for the position. Many companies have internal referral bonuses to encourage employees to recommend people they know for open positions (this is the single biggest source for new employees in most companies that I have experienced).  

Next on the list would be making contact with several agency recruiters in your area. Establishing a relationship with the ones that you feel comfortable with will insure that you are on their radar when the right job is available. I suggest that you do the following with this group at least every other week:

• call to check in and see what is new
• update them on your activities
• share any interviews that you have had
  (this is key as companies that are actively interviewing for positions are good leads for a recruiter - this is a give that will put you on top of their list)
• provide information on companies that just did not respond to you on a job application
• keep the dialog open.

You will find recruiters that will resist this level of contact - if so, move on to others that are willing to work with you.

One additional strategy that you may want to work on - check out any place online that recruiters have access to free services to post jobs or search resumes. Two examples are FeeTrader.com and any group on LinkedIn that provides job postings. I will add more specific sites in this category as time permits (your input always welcome).

• Ask a Recruiter (added 4/14/2010)
• The Recruiters Lounge (added 6/16/2010) and click on Job Search Tips

Good luck and I invite you to provide any feedback or questions via email (chet.volpe at gmail dot com) to phone (303-578-9288).

Thanks,
--
Chet Volpe - Senior Recruiter - A-1 Careers
303-578-9288 (voice or text)
Link to me on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/chetvolpe
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/chetvolpe
12202 Airport Way, Suite 180
Broomfield, CO 80021
Office 303-998-0000

© Chester B. Volpe 2009, 2010