Job seekers link dump.
Recently I've had much better luck getting new jobs, and fortunate to get temp. positions back to back. (However, I'm still hungry for a good full-time position.) I've made lots of use of online resources. Following the links are a few points of advise to help you or friends who are looking for their next job. Don't forget, while online resources can be effective, they in no way replace a good recommendation from the "inside" (a friend, family member, colleague, neighbor...).

I. Online Tools and Resources.
1.) Find a Job Position (or Company) and Get Hired.
There are various ways to do this, and obviously to "find a job" you have to "look." Also very effective: "get the word out." Many online job boards have a "make your resume searchable" feature for employers. With this you will get unsolicited job posts. There are a lot of placement companies out there that want to place you in a job.

1.1) Active Searching.
1.1.1) Staffing Agencies.

• http://www.appleone.com/
• http://www.artlinks-staffing.com/
• http://www.aquentpartners.com/
• http://cm-recruiting.com/
• http://www.cuedata.com/
  
• http://www.filtertalent.com/
• http://www.graphicsoncall.com/
• http://www.nelsonjobs.com/
• http://www.techsourcejobs.net/
• https://www.icreatives.com/
• http://www.kellyservices.us/
• http://www.paladinstaff.com/
• http://www.rgarecruiting.com/rga/
• http://www.ritasue.com/
• http://hirenet.net/
• http://searchwright.com/
• http://www.softwareplacement.com/
• http://www.tacworldwide.com/
• http://www.net-temps.com/
• http://www.visuals.com/

1.1.2) Job Boards (many design and creative related).

• http://www.creativehotlist.com/
• http://www.craigslist.org/
• http://www.activewireless.com/
• http://www.jobsearch.org/
• http://www.careerbuilder.com/
• http://www.coroflot.com/
• http://www.dice.com/
• http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
• http://www.linkedin.com/
• http://www.monster.com/
• http://hfcareers.com/

1.1.3) Association Job Boards (maintained by professional organizations).

• http://www.aiga.org
• http://www.upassoc.org
• http://www.printworkers.com

1.1.4) More Online Lists of Job Boards (lists).

• http://www.stc-siliconvalley.org/
• http://art.nmu.edu/
• http://www.howdesign.com/

1.2) Unsolicited Applications.
Send your resume to a company you want to work for. Be sure you address their needs as you write your cover letter.

1.3) Personal Referrals.
A good referral from a friend will beat most anonymous applicants.

1.4) Agent/Rep.
A good relationship with a staffing agency can act like your rep. This is a regular need for high-level positions.

2.) Career advise columns.
Here is a sampling of some of my favorite subjects. Help and How-To articles kept me going during hard times. Resume links are always good place to start if you have not rewritten your resume in a long time.

2.1) Networking.

• http://www.sharpertraining.com

2.2) Resume.

• http://www.allfreelancework.com
• http://www.net-temps.com

2.3) Recommendations/Testimonials/Reputation.

• http://home.att.net/~coachthee

2.4) Selling Yourself.

• http://www.salesvantage.com

2.5) Interviewing.

• http://www.net-temps.com

2.6) Salaries (All Design Industry).

• http://www.coroflot.com
• http://www.peakusability.com.au
• http://www.spiritsoftworks.com
• http://aiga.org
• http://www.designsalaries.org
• http://www.upassoc.org
• http://www.idsa-sf.org
• http://www.ebstc.org
• http://www.stc-siliconvalley.org

3.) Networking.
This is related to above entries 1.3, 2.1, 2.3. Overall, just connect with people in your field/industry/peer group.

3.1) Professional Organizations (Design, Marketing and Computer Related).

• http://san-francisco.siggraph.org/
• http://www.bayareayoungarchitects.org/baya/index.html
• http://www.baychi.org/
• http://guir.berkeley.edu/
• http://www.sfbayacm.org/#lastmonth
• http://www.silicon-valley.siggraph.org/next.html

3.2) Social Groups.
There are many social groups for women, and one I've heard of is Birds of a Feather--though I'm unfamiliar with any details. A gal I know, who regularly meets in a similar women's entrapaneaur group, put together a Yahoo Group list to help former employees of SGI keep in touch. Once a year they hold a reunion/get together. Also, if you're into the art community and live in the SF bay area, the Burning Man event has spawned year round social events and related get togethers.

3.3) Mentoring.
Mentoring is often available within a professional organization, or higher-education program. You may find that you get all the mentoring you need from 3.1. However, if you're in a position to make a drastic change in your career, a mentor can contribute a lot.

3.4) Online Groups.
Rather than list all of the online groups for design, here is a general business/work networking web site to start at.

• https://www.linkedin.com/

II. Keep A Backup Of Your "Job Search" Tools.
(It is good practice to keep copies of all your Resumes, Cover Letters, Recommendations, Online Portfolio, etc. They are valuable because you may want to return to a previous job search plan.)

III. Seek Appropriate Training.
(Most every high tech job requires-to some degree-you maintain your skills.)

IV. Keep A Record Of Your Job Search History.
(Personally I keep a journal of my job search and of my experience after each job-did I advance my career or just make money is usually the biggest question-most often I try to write down any issues I encountered for future reference. This is a chore I will gladly give up after I find a more permanent position.)

V. Be ready for anything.
For example: Be ready for odd questions from interviewers, "It says in your cover letter you want to be an art director, where do you see yourself in five years?" I say pick one. Either answer with the art director goal, or describe how you see the role of AD.

Be ready with answers to standard questions, "How do you rate yourself with Microsoft Word?" I've read job posts asking for "guru" level applicants where others refer to "expert". There is no standard scale, so be ready with your own. If you're not informing them an employer may take charge of your presentation, asking you questions narrowing your skills to their measure. Unless you are a guru, then impress them with your knowledge.

That was my outline for job searching.
These resources can help you with making an organized strategy for success. I've often forgotten some rule or mantra of networking/interviewing when actually at the point of being around real people. Don't sweat the rules, just keep yourself sharp.

Good Luck!