A frequently used, though not necessarily the most effective, job search technique is to respond to advertised vacancies. Since nearly 80% of job openings are never advertised, much of your effort should be toward establishing and identifying the hidden job market. However, looking at currently advertised jobs has the positive side of knowing that the employer has an opening right now and is requesting your application.

• Internet Job Listings - both potential employers' websites and jobs/career websites.
• Social media sites with professional reputations - companies will often post job opportunities to focused communities within these sites.
• Newsletters from professional associations and trade journals.
• Employment agencies - both public and private.
• Personnel department postings and phone recordings - you can find contact information on employer websites.
• Campus interviews.
• Job Fairs.

• Don't waste time on long shots. If the job sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
• Use your cover letter to answer every stated job requirement.
• Direct your response to specific individuals when possible, and to specific position titles otherwise (e.g., "Dear Marketing Manager").
• Try to contact or write to the manager who will make the final hiring decision as well as the personnel representative named in the advertisement.
• Follow all the directions in the advertisement on contacting the employer. Also, it never hurts to make a direct phone call to ensure the employer has received everything they need, unless the ad specifies not to.
• Remember, you can use the advertised jobs to help you develop a new contact for your networking.