Do your New Year's resolutions include finding a new job? The Internet is a great resource for job seekers. But far too many people don't use it effectively.

According to Nielsen Online, CareerBuilder, Monster and Yahoo HotJobs are the most visited job sites. These general job sites attract a wide variety of employers. There are literally hundreds of thousands of job listings on these sites.

But many of these jobs won't appeal to mid- or upper-level professionals.

If you're at that level, you may have to wade through many jobs below your experience level. Some of the better jobs may not be listed on these sites.

So here are some tips on looking for your dream job.

TRY SPECIALIZED SITES

No matter what your field, you're likely to find a specialized site listing jobs related to your industry.

Specialized sites won't have the same volume of listings as general sites, but the listings will better suit your skills.

There's another advantage: You won't be competing against so many other job seekers.

However, the competition will be better qualified than on other sites.

If you're a tech worker, try Dice. For government jobs, visit USAJOBS. EFinancialCareers specializes in financial positions, and SalesJobs lists sales positions.

There are many specialized job sites. Search the Web for those in your field. Look for larger sites with plenty of listings.

ASSOCIATIONS ONLINE

Industry associations and clubs are invaluable for job seekers. Most national organizations have Web sites. Visit the sites to learn more about local chapters.

By joining an industry organization, you'll meet other professionals in your field. Some of the people you meet may have hiring authority.

At the least, you'll learn about new job openings. Some may not be listed online.

Also, industry associations often have job boards on their sites.

VISIT EMPLOYERS' SITES

Companies often list career opportunities on their Web sites. Smaller businesses may have relatively few listings. Larger companies will have hundreds.

Larger companies will also have tools to help you narrow your search. Some even have notification systems — new listings matching your search will be sent to you.

An employer's site offers more than listings. Use it to find out more about the company and its clients.

OTHER RESOURCES

When you're job searching, you'll be asked for your salary requirements. Visit www.Salary.com, www.PayScale.com or www.PaycheckCity.com.

These sites list salary ranges in your region for a given position. They're also helpful for salary negotiation.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

A career change is more difficult than a move within your current field. It pays to learn as much as possible about your newly chosen field.

In addition to joining an industry association, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

You can learn about the occupational outlook for countless industries and find job descriptions, working conditions and general requirements for specific professions.

Contact Kim Komando at gnstech@gns.gannett.com.

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