Sending out a resume every day? Spending hours searching through job boards and newspaper help wanted ads? Finding a job can sometimes feel like a full-time job all by itself, and it’s often frustrating to try to figure out what the best plan of action is with so many options for job searching tools and different types of tools available.

There are some job searching tips that can help to create the best course of action to take and help to cut down on the number of search options for getting started in a career.

Utilizing social media is increasingly important for many businesses for different business functions, and finding qualified employees is no exception. Social media sites are often the first place businesses turn when looking to fill a position. Take advantage of this growing trend and sell yourself on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. LinkedIn will also send out notifications of job postings that a member’s employment and education history match, often giving a head start on applying for a position.

Other online sources offer the same types of features, and online job engines like CareerBuilder, Indeed, and Simply Hired are still useful tools. Post a resume for employers to search, and regularly review the postings that fit qualifications with key word searches that best identify skills and qualifications.

Although often the most utilized, online resources aren’t the only way to find a job. Some excellent resources to utilize are government employment resources, job fairs, and school career services for students and recent graduates.

Networking can be done online, in person, or over the phone. Get in touch with friends, colleagues, former co-workers and employers, and even family to find out about opportunities. Social media is important, too, because of the networking opportunities available. These sites are helpful not just for networking with the people in a user’s own network, but they also help companies find qualified candidates through extended networking.

Keep resumes up-to-date and available for employers to see, and utilize all of the resources available from online resources to local employment agencies. Posting resumes on online job search engines and through employment agencies or school career services, and networking through social media and contacts or friends are steps that can minimize the amount of work that has to be put in right now to get the perfect job in the future.