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If the thought of looking for a new job conjures up images of an oversized cup of coffee and a stack of Sunday classifieds, it might be time to re-think what a job hunt entails. Thanks to the Internet, newspapers are no longer the only "go-to" source for finding job prospects.

Search Online

Recent research has found that the Internet is the primary source of job postings for more than 71 percent of job-seekers. Newspapers continue to be popular and are typically used in conjunction with the Internet by many job seekers. However, the Internet is valued not only as a legitimate source of job postings, but as a fruitful source of jobs most likely to result in actual job offers. Some attribute this trend to the ability to use electronic media to more closely match an individual's specific experience and abilities to specific jobs through resume optimizing ' a process that can't be accomplished via fax machine or a mail campaign.

Know What Works

There are several well-established job sites on the Internet, including Yahoo Hot Jobs, Career Builder, and Monster. Each site allows you to search for jobs by keywords, titles, and locations. In most cases, you can apply for the jobs online as well as post your resume for potential employers to view. Each site may present you with different results, though, depending on which sites companies use to publish their job postings. There are also several "niche" sites available that target specific professions, experience levels, or age groups. Sites such as TheLadders.com (for job seekers making $100,000 or more) currently make up 70 percent of the approximately 40,000 online job sites and may offer a great way to narrow your search, depending on what you're looking for.

However, search engines designed specifically to troll a variety of job sites are also available and are a great way to search as many sites as possible all at once. Job search engines such as Indeed.com, Jobster, and SimplyHired.com will pull results from the big name job sites, as well as feed you results from the job boards of major corporations, associations, and newspapers. Results can be narrowed down to geographical areas, so local listings that may interest you will pull up as well.

Use Your Resources

Networking is still a popular means of locating jobs, although its usefulness in locating job opportunities may have diminished ' although only a bit ' in the shadow of the Internet. Online job postings are comprehensive and easy to sort through, but there's still something to be said about rubbing elbows and making yourself known to key players in your industry. Make the best of your job search by using all the resources available to you: the Internet, the newspaper, and your real-world connections. A multi-pronged approach to the job market is sure to wield you the best results'and your next job!