The best job searches happen by using every available resource you can find. With the emergence of digital job searching, many people believe a comprehensive search can happen from the comfort of your own home computer. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that many employers have taken full advantage of the Internet and routinely post their job openings online. Usually it works like this: The employer posts an opportunity on a widely -read site. The listing lists a brief job description, required qualifications and sometimes a salary or salary range. Most sites allow you to post a resume that can instantly be sent electronically to the employer. Usually you can write comments or a full email introduction, as well. Sounds great, right? Here is the problem for those who rely exclusively on online job sites: First, you are usually only allowed to post one resume on the site. As regular readers of this column know, one version of your resume is often not enough. Sometimes, depending on the job you apply for, you need multiple versions that each focus more heavily on certain qualifications or experience. For example, if you have a strong background in sales, but also a respectable experience level in advertising, chances are you may apply for jobs in both disciplines. Your sales resume will focus on skills associated with finding and qualifying leads and developing relationships with clients. Your advertising resume might include all of that, but will focus more heavily on working with clients on a creative and marketing level. If you can only post one resume online, you may be limiting the amount of useful communication you send to a potential employer. Further, not all companies post their openings online. Therein is the reason to use online job sites as one of several job searching resources. Many companies still routinely post their job openings in the classified ads in the Times-Picayune. Others might post their openings in the job listings on Nola.com. Some use both. Some employers work exclusively with staffing agencies or temporary employment agencies. Still other companies post their openings in industry trade publications or web sites, but not necessarily online or in local publications. Your objective should be to have as much information about as many job openings as possible. As for nationally-based job sites, such as Monster.com, these can be useful. You will find local opportunities on a national site, but not as many. Again, this should be one of your group of resources, but not the only one. All of the above can be effective tools. Here is a tool that is not effective. You have probably received email or seen other communication about companies that will send your resume out to "thousands of employers." Nothing can be less effective than sending your resume out to employers that have nothing to do with the type of work you seek. If your resume goes out to thousands of companies, chances are you are wasting time, money and energy. A good job search should be well-researched, and specifically focused on jobs for which you are qualified and those that truly interest you. Finally, never underestimate the power of your own contacts. Chances are you already know people who can assist you with your job search. It may be someone you worked with in the past, a current associate or even a relative. Make a list of the individuals you believe may be able to assist you in your job search, and contact them individually. Some may be able to actually put you in touch with prospective employers, while others may simply serve as resource people with useful guidance and advice. Take your job search on as a job in itself and you may find yourself gainfully and happily employed sooner than you think. By Paul A. Greenberg Employment Writer Source :nola.com