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Traditional sources of job openings include the newspapers, governmental employment agencies, school placement offices, private employment agencies, and recruitment firms. The newest resource is the Internet. The Internet can give anyone at home access to all the traditional job listings mentioned above.

1. Newspaper classifieds: Even though this tends to be the first place anyone looks, remember that a certain percentage of the ads are not for real job openings. Contract employment in the computer field and especially in programming is a large segment of the business. Firms solicit résumés in order to have them on file when they are bidding on contracts and soliciting work; therefore, a glut of job advertisements is not a true indication of how many actual jobs are available. Recruiters and temporary agencies will do the same in order to build up their possible employee base. Other businesses may use a job announcement in order to target individuals for selling a variety of merchandise or even as part of a illegal scam. Any ad that requests salary information from you is also suspect. These ads could easily be companies that are researching salaries in a geographical location to further their knowledge of the competition. If it is a legitimate employer with a legitimate job opening, then be aware they may be simply trying to hire only the cheapest employees. If this is an employer’s primary concern, then it is doubtful that this would be a good employer to work for. If it is a blind ad, it could even be your present employer who has placed the ad. Be careful answering these type ads. Also, check to see if your local newspaper is on line even if you take the newspaper at home. Some newspapers will list job openings longer on line than in the actual newspaper itself.
2. By all means, register with your local state employment agency. Most of those job openings are now listed on computer and the old days of relying on the agency representative to divulge information is past. Most states also have these listings on the Internet, so a physical visit is not necessary. What a time saver! It also opens up your state as well because you can find out about openings and salaries all over the state without leaving your house. Unlike the newspaper, each of these jobs will have salaries listed, so be sure to use these listings to research salaries.
3. Employment agencies are a possible way to find job openings, but be aware that agency employees normally work on commission and will always work on easy placements. This means that if you have an unusual background, if you are an older job seeker, or if you are not able to state exactly what type of position you are seeking, the agency representative will not be as conscientious about finding you a job. Nowadays, most businesses pay the fees; this makes the agencies less interested in finding you a job. They only want to know if you can fill the requirements for that job opening they need to fill this week. Recruiters and headhunters may be more interested in placing employees, but normally they prefer to work with established employees with good track records and salaries in professional positions.
4. Temporary agencies can be a possible steady source of work since many of them now have benefits for those employees who continue to work through them. To be a good temporary employee one must be highly skilled (normally in the secretarial or bookkeeping fields) and very adaptable. You must be someone who can walk into nearly any business and get to work immediately. These jobs can possibly turn into full time employment. Make sure you understand what the agencies’ policies on permanent placement are before you accept a job through them.
5. Be sure to get to know your school placement officer. Treat them as if you were applying to them for a job—dress for interview, etc. Impress them, make them remember you favorably. You must be very clear with that placement person exactly what kind of job you are looking for. Continue to touch base with him or her regularly even after you leave school. Don’t let him forget you!
6. Many large organizations such as hospitals rarely advertise openings but will have a job phone line you can call. These phone numbers are frequently advertised in the classifieds, but some research may be in order to find them. Many businesses and governmental organizations are on the Web as well. Be sure to search the Internet for any local organizations who advertise job openings on the web. A quick search of the Athens, GA, area turned up web listings for both local hospitals, the University of Georgia, the local paper, Athens-Clarke County Government, Northeast Georgia Mental Health, a state office from the Board of Regents for instructional technology and a few others.
7. Don’t hesitate to attend job fairs. These might be helpful or might not be helpful. Dressing for an interview and talking to prospective employers—even if they have no jobs in your field—is great practice, good for research and may possibly expand your contact base.
8. Cold calling prospective employers and simply asking if any job openings exist has been a traditional technique for many years. If you are able to make contact with someone and set up an interview, then cold calling is worth the time. Many businesses do not like receiving inquiries on the phone, however, especially if it’s "do you have any openings?" A professional manner, a prepared speech, and an identifiable target job are the keys to making this work. "My name is John Doe and I would like to inquire about possible employment with your company’s accounting department. Is there someone specific I should talk to?" This approach will often get you to the personnel office in larger organizations and sometimes only get you to a personnel clerk or assistant. Talking with the personnel director would be better, but talking to a potential supervisor is best. Here again, using a contact to gain entry would normally be a better way to proceed.

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