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! 

Phoenix, Arizona Economy The economy of Phoenix in the last two decades has greatly diversified as the population has grown rapidly. Many of the area's residents are employed by the state government since Phoenix is the state capital of Arizona. There are many high-tech and telecommunications companies that have located in the Valley of the Sun. Arizona State University has greatly enhanced the area's population through education and its growing research capabilities. List of Major Corporations in the Area: America West Airlines, Avnet, Inc., Banner Health Systems, Honeywell International, Intel, Mayo Clinic, MicroChip Technology, Inc., Motorola, Qwest, Safeway, Southwest Airlines and UPS. Demographics At the census of 2000, there were 1,321,045 people, 465,834 households, and 307,450 families residing in Phoenix. The population density was 1,074/km˛ (2,782/mi˛). There were 495,832 housing units at an average density of 403/km˛ (1,044/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 71.07% White, 5.10% African American, 2.02% Native American, 2.00% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 16.40% from other races, and 3.28% from two or more races. 34.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any country origin. There were 465,834 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.39. In the city the population age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $41,207, and the median income for a family was $46,467. Males had a median income of $32,820 versus $27,466 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,833. 15.8% of the population and 11.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.