How to Find a Local Job

Networking is a job hunter's best friend when it comes to landing that dream position. Enlisting the help of friends, family members, and former employers can make the job hunting process go more smoothly. However, when that's not a possibility, there are other viable options.

Determination is a necessary component for landing a job with a reputable company. Select your career focus and scope out related businesses in your area. You can locate this information by thumbing through the yellow pages, doing a Google search, or making note of area businesses during your normal errands.

Once you track down prospective employers, it's time to market yourself. Craft a knockout resume (or pay a professional to do it for you). Then, work on the particulars of why those prospective employers should hire you (as in what makes you so special). What do you have to offer in terms of skills, talents, and experiences? Assemble that information and turn it into a jazzy cover letter.

Are you ready to start showcasing yourself to employers? You should be prepared mentally if you're going to dazzle those hiring managers (or secretaries, in some cases). Get a decent amount of sleep the night before your physical job search, pump up your brain power with a little exercise in the morning, and spruce your appearance to the point where you feel like gold. After completing these things, it's time to make contact with those businesses on your job hunt list. You can find out if they're hiring by either calling or going in person. (Or, if your job hunt isn't hurried, you can email or send a letter of interest.)

When presenting yourself to the prospective employer, be self-assured but not arrogant. Mind your manners and keep your best game face on. And be persistent if the hiring manager is too busy to meet with you at the moment. Politely offer to wait or call back. After your initial contact with each company, jot down in a notebook what came of it. It could take a lot of employers and a lengthy amount of time before someone calls you back with a job offer. (And if no one does, you'll need to do a follow-up call.) Stay ing organized now means that you'll have the particulars about the employer's offerings at your fingertips when the time comes.

To get you started in your job search, here are a few online sites to visit:

: Click the link for the city you want to work in (or the state, if necessary). On your city's page you'll see numerous job categories to choose from.

: Type in your desired keyword(s) and location to search through its large job list. You can sign up for job alerts or skip ahead to see your search results.

: This job search engine picks up postings from several sources. Just type in your desired job title and location to search for your dream job.

There is one word of caution, however, when applying to blind ads. If the job depiction seems too good to be true and the anonymous employer requires that you give private identification such as a social security or bank account number, MOVE ON. Postings like that are scams and aren't worth your time.

Best wishes with your job search!