Unless you want a job. 
I don’t like TheLadders as I was able to find every job on its paid site on the free sites, and their recruiter networks were fruitless to say the least. It’s simply a ploy for TheLadders to get recruiters to pay them for having a list of suckers like us.
Also, stay away from third-party application sites. These are very deceptive sites that look like a job application, but after you’ve finished filling out all your personal information and clicking “submit”, you’ll quickly discover that you’ve just been conned into signing up for a college-degree information program or a newsletter of sorts.
If you do find a job that you’re interested in applying for, open another window and go directly to that company’s website and find their “careers” or “join us” sections. Don’t depend on job sites to connect you properly. Everyone’s out to make a buck, and some of the most susceptible people are those desperately looking for a job.
Here are the best resources to finding your next job:
1) LinkedIn.com (if you don’t have a free LinkedIn account, you don’t exist. Get one immediately, even if you have a steady job. It’s a great way for you to connect and network, not to mention stay abreast of what your connections are up to.)
2) Indeed.com is a compilation of jobs from ALL other sites to include newspapers, websites, and corporate job sites. This is especially helpful for trends and salary updates.
3) SimplyHired.com is another compilation, however, this one has a sidebar with automatic LinkedIn connections to show you who you may know that works at that particular job.
4) Ned’s Job of the Week at NedsJOTW.com (this one is particularly good for communications, public relations, and DoD contract jobs). Ned is a retired Navy Captain and devotes time to producing a very good list every Monday).
5) USA Jobs has an abundance of work available for almost anyone looking. Read the descriptions carefully as some require citizenship or prior federal service. This site includes the State Dep’t, the IRS, the EPA, DoD, and more. The best part is that government jobs are paying top-dollar and your chance of getting fired is slim to none, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. The name of the game with federal jobs is to know the rules.
Unless you’re interested in an entry-level job or a position that is ethically questionable at best, do not waste your time on Craigslist.
Communications and Public Relations professionals should focus their efforts on:
5) Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Job Center
6) International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Career Center
Networking opportunities are out there. In every city and for every niche there is an association, and Google won’t always suffice. Here’s a few:
7) Washington Network Group (DC)
Maryland Chapter of PRSA
9) Baltimore Better Business Journal
Publications and newspapers I found particularly useful
