# No idea how to get started looking for a job, help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184 "2002-11-27T19:36:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wolfsbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/aeb1de/32.png) [@wolfsbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfsbane)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/1 "2002-11-27T19:36:30Z")
Okay so I’m in the job market for the first time in over 10 years. Looking for a local technical/professional position (med sized city) in either private or public sector. Hoping to do a lot of my searching online but no idea how to get started. A google search for general terms like “online jobs” and “job search” return gazillions of hits. Also I read something somewhere recently that a lot of so-called “job listings” are just fronts for work-at-home scams. Also I can’t use any type of pay-service right now. So…how to I get started with my online job search without wasting a lot of time or getting taken? WB ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/2 "2002-11-27T19:41:47Z")
You might start by seeing if your local newspaper has an online job listing (not to mention the newspaper itself.) Our local (San Diego) has the usual classifieds in the paper, but also has an online service that has expanded listings and allows you to create an account where you can store resumes and cover letters. I haven’t run into any work-at-home scams, but some supposed job listing cites are fronts for people who want you to pay them to help you find a job.a ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/3 "2002-11-27T19:46:38Z")
Try typing in www._nameofyourcity_[helpwanted.com](http://helpwanted.com) There’s a regional help wanted site that sets these up. Examples include: [www.tallahasseehelpwanted.com](http://www.tallahasseehelpwanted.com) [www.orlandohelpwanted.com](http://www.orlandohelpwanted.com) [www.sacramentohelpwanted.com](http://www.sacramentohelpwanted.com) [www.chicagohelpwanted.com](http://www.chicagohelpwanted.com) Etc. ---
**Author:** ![yoyo3500](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/5daacb/32.png) [@yoyo3500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyo3500)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/4 "2002-11-27T19:46:57Z")
Try carrying around a signthat says “WILL WORK FOR FOOD” unless, of course, you can’t eat, in which case it would be silly to want to work for food. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/5 "2002-11-27T19:56:07Z")
[Monster.Com](http://Monster.Com) seems to list lots of jobs and one may limit a search to several criteria including location. Good Luck. ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2002, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/6 "2002-11-27T22:13:02Z")
Here’s OPM site. It’s a great place to search for federal jobs “The Official” federal govt. site [http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/) It can be pokey about posting jobs though, if there is a big federal presence nearby look at that agency’s website - they may have an employment opportunity link. Same goes in private sector: Do you have an idea of a place you’d like to work, i.e. is there a big IBM plant or hospital nearby? Look up the biggest employers in your area (probably in local profile pieces) Look good? If so, look at their website they may have an Employment opportunity link too. ---
**Author:** ![Yxylu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@Yxylu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yxylu)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/7 "2002-11-28T00:40:14Z")
Up until about a week ago, I was also on the job market. What I’ve found to be useful are the nation-wide (world-wide) job listing sites. **Blown & Injected** already mentioned Monster, but here are a few others you could check out: [www.hotjobs.com](http://www.hotjobs.com) [www.dice.com](http://www.dice.com) [www.engineerjobs.com](http://www.engineerjobs.com) (if that’s appropriate) Also, you can do google searches for (city name), (job type), possibly narrowing it down further. You should also look for staffing firms, which obviously depend on your location. They often see a broader range of jobs that the public may not, and they don’t cost you anything (I think the company that hires you pays them). It would help to contact anyone you know who works at a company that hires people that do what you do, since a resume that comes from an employee is more likely to be seen. I hope this helps, and good luck. Yxylu ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2002, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/8 "2002-11-28T00:49:35Z")
Just call twenty places you think might want to work for & ask them if they are hiring. You’re bound to find one. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/10 "2021-02-03T04:59:32Z")
1. Go to linkedIn. Get a profile. Ask old employers to give you a rec, link to everyone you know, and all recruiters you can find. 2. Try Indeed. I get my best job listings there. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/11 "2021-02-03T05:11:58Z")
Since the OP was made 18 years ago, I would hope that he has found a job by now. This thread was bumped by a spammer, so let’s close it. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-idea-how-to-get-started-looking-for-a-job-help/139184/12 "2021-02-03T05:12:05Z")