There are at least two reasons to have a resume when applying for a summer job. First, having a resume to give to the prospective employer shows you've put some effort into finding a job. Secondly, it allows you to showcase those things about you that you want the employer to remember. Having a printed resume sets you apart from the crowd. Even if you have no work experience, you can still give the employer an idea of who you are, and what your strengths are. If all you've done is baby-sitting, add it to your resume in writing. Emphasize the skills you learned while baby-sitting and so on.

Most people start with the big employment sites such as Monster, but they are not the only or the best place to look. Smaller, more focused sites can often be much more useful to you. Below are some ideas for your job search.

Search the Internet  - You are doing that now!  The "Internet" will not hire you, so use it for what it is -- an excellent source of job information.

Employer Web Sites - get a list of local companies and visit the web site. Believe it or not, many employers do not use some of the more popular job services.

To find some employer Web sites, you can visit:

• Academic360 - a directory of college and university Web site employment sections
• HospitalWeb - a directory of hospitals by state in the U.S.A.
• BankDirectory.net - a directory of banks in the USA, organized by state
• Business.com - a searchable directory of businesses in the USA, organized by type (e.g. accounting, etc.).
• USAjobs - the job site for Uncle Sam, if you want to work in the U.S. Federal Government.

Professional Association Sites - If you have been in the work force for any length of time, you will be aware of the associations related to your area of expertise.

Recruiter/HeadHunter/Staffing Firm Web Sites - Careful here. There are good and there are BAD. Talk with you friends and get recommendations for ones they have dealt with before and have been both professional and successful in helping your friends find a job.

Networking - Still the best. Always has been and always will be. According to experts, only 10% to 15% of all job openings are posted on the Internet or other publication. The trick to being successful through networking is contact, contact and contact. You have to meet... call... visit... and you have to be persistent -- otherwise your network of contacts will cease to grow! 

Boston Job & Economy Boston's colleges and universities have drawn high-tech industries to the city, including computer hardware and software companies like EMC Corporation (headquartered in Hopkinton) and Akamai (headquartered in nearby Cambridge), as well as biotechnology companies like Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Biogen Idec. Other important industries include financial services (especially mutual funds) and insurance. Shoe and athletic apparel-maker Reebok is headquartered in nearby Canton. Raytheon is based in nearby Lexington. Gillette is headquartered in Boston.