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
• 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! 

Houston's Economy Houston had several growth spurts in relation to the Texas oil industry. Houston became a major port because of the downfall of Galveston and the Houston Ship Channel. The 1920s had Houston's first growth spurt. The city's second growth spurt occurred in the late 1970s, with the Arab Oil Embargo. Demand on Texas oil increased, and many people from the northeast came down to profit from the trade. When the embargo was lifted, the growth stopped. However, Pasadena still has its refineries, and the Port of Houston is among the busiest in the world. Houston has attempted to build a banking industry in the city, but all of the companies which had been started in Houston were merged with other companies nationwide. It still is vital to the region, but most of the banks operating there are not based in Houston. Real Estate is also a large business in the Houston area. Houston is unique in being the largest American city without zoning regulations. The city has the second lowest cost of living in comparison to other major U.S. cities. The housing in Houston is also one of the most affordable in the Nation. List of Major Companies This is a list of major companies headquartered in Houston and the Houston Metropolitan Area. Compaq was headquartered in Houston before it was bought out by Hewlett-Packard. A.D. Vision  American General  ConocoPhillips  Continental Airlines  Dynegy  El Paso Energy  Enron  Foley's  Halliburton  Landry's  Lyondell Chemical Company  Marathon  Reliant Energy  Service Corporation International  Sysco  Texas Genco  U.S. Liquids  Weatherford International  Imperial Sugar is based in nearby Sugar Land. Loch Energy is based in Humble.