No matter where you live, finding meaningful employment can be a job in itself. In many American cities jobs are still scarce, but that doesn’t mean you should give up looking for your dream job. There are plenty of companies hiring if you know how to look.

Savvy job-seekers know that simply relying on a local newspaper or word of mouth is no longer enough. You’ll need to use all your available resources if you want to have your pick of job listings. If you live in a major metropolitan area, then one of the best ways to find jobs is to take advantage of technology. Websites can help your target your search and maximize your chance of finding the best job listings.

1. Access More Information By Searching Online

A big advantage of using the Internet is that you can do more research about prospective companies. Most job sites provide a link to the hiring company’s website. Use this valuable link to learn more about the company culture and work environment. Websites also provide a more detailed job description than the few lines available in the local classifieds. This can help you decide if the job description really matches your career goals.

Not only will researching the company culture and job description help you narrow down which jobs to apply for, this extra knowledge will be an asset when you get the interviewing stage. Potential employers will be impressed that you took the time to “do your homework.”

2. Define Your Search with the Right Keywords

Online, there are many different careers to choose from with pages of search results in each category. It’s important that you have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. Your search will be more efficient if you only apply for positions that really match your needs and skills. Make a list of your skills or special training, then use them as your keywords when searching for jobs online.

This doesn’t mean that you need to completely avoid employment opportunities that fall outside of your skill set. If you’re looking to change careers, then focus more on finding a company that matches your goals rather than your current skill level. In this case, your list will include a description of the type of office environment you want to be in, the skills you’d like to learn, or specific benefits your new company should offer. As you browse the job listings, keep this list handy so you can see how potential companies measure up to your goals.

3. Sort Potential Jobs by Location or Skill Set

Even if you narrow your job search to match your specific education or training, sorting through all the employment options can be time-consuming. Happily, searching online also makes it easy to bookmark your favorite jobs. You can even sort your bookmarks according to region or career — Long Beach jobs in one folder and Los Angeles jobs in another or graphic design jobs in one folder and writing jobs in another.

Being organized will help you stay on track as you go through the application process and make it easier to follow up on leads later.

4. Be Persistent

The perfect job may be hard to find, but there are many ways to use technology to increase your luck. Evaluate your career goals and then target your search to just the job listings that match your objective. Whether you live in Long Beach or Long Island, by effectively using technology you’ll see that finding a career you are passionate about can be a rewarding experience that pays off both professionally and personally. Take the time to do your research and you may just find that your next job is your best job.

Image taken on 2009-04-16 13:00:12. Image Source. (Used with permission)