Web May Not Be Best Spot to Find a Job

Still, the Web can be a good place to start looking for a job, with 3.9 million vacancies posted as of July, according to the latest Conference Board data. It is an especially useful tool for those seeking jobs outside of where they live -- say, a New York filmmaker attempting to relocate to Hollywood, or a banker in the windy city of Chicago seeking a change of pace in sunny Florida.

Challenger suggests using company sites to get the names of key people, such as the director of marketing or VP of sales. That way, job seekers can touch base with the person doing the hiring, rather than the human resources employee who screens resumes. They can also check the company's latest news to find out which areas are growing, whether they are expanding the work force or opening new facilities.

The firm also suggests trolling trade association sites for jobs, emailing friends and colleagues or touching base via social-networking sites. However, when applying for a role, direct contact -- preferably face to face -- with the person in charge of filling the position is always best.

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