Ten Ways to Find Job Openings

With the economic downturn making daily headlines and increasing numbers of people getting laid off, employment vacancies have become scarce in many sectors. But there are still scads of employers who are hiring. Finding job openings may take a little more detective work in this climate. Here are ten ways to find those obscure help wanted signs:

1. Sit down with your local phone book and flip through it, making a list of all the places you would like to work. This might trigger workplace options you might not otherwise have considered. Hospitals hire a huge range of personnel, from custodial workers to accounting professionals to marketing experts and more. By considering nontraditional settings where your skill set could be employed, you'll expand your options. Once you have your list of places you'd like to work, you can start checking their websites for job openings. Many companies list current positions on their homepage, while other sites require a little more digging. Sometimes openings are listed under the "About Us" section. Others post employment vacancies under human resources. Sometimes the section can be found by clicking on the site map. If job vacancies aren't listed, it won't hurt to use the "Contact Us" information to inquire about open positions.

2. Check out your local chamber of commerce. Many chambers offer online directories that can steer you toward additional contacts. Besides the possibility of finding new firms, you may encounter community information of use, as well as information on business resources that could help you start your own business and hire yourself!

3. Network. Ask your family, friends, past employers, old school mates, neighbors and others you're in touch with about any job openings. Maybe someone will know someone who's hiring.

4. Do an online job search. By using some simple keyword searches, you can pop up a slew of job search engines that will allow you to specify your search by job type, location and other preferences.

5. Seek out trade organizations. Many vocational fields have local and national associations that serve as resources for job search options, including job postings online or in trade journals.

6. Visit your local public library. This free source will often have shelves of job-related books packed with more search ideas. Libraries with slim selections can often get additional books for you through interlibrary loan.

7. Investigate government job openings. Federal, state and municipal openings for a range of vocations are posted online.

8. Consider the nonprofit sector. Even specialties that are traditionally performed in the corporate world may find a well-paying niche in a nonprofit organization. Internet searches of national and local nonprofit resources can bring up hundreds of options to look into for open positions.

9. Explore state resources for job search assistance. A local social service agency can help refer you to state-sponsored career assistance in your area.

10. Keep a notebook of ideas you come up with on your own. By making a list of things to try, places to check into and other options, you'll have a perpetual plan.

Good luck!