Hard work and dedication are the best job hunting skills, but other hints might help you in your quest. Consider these tips:

Involve friends and family. They can offer encouragement and assistance in your job search.

Check job listings in the classified advertising sections of your local newspaper. Your state employment office may also be able to offer some job search assistance.

Know what you want. Don't accept a job just because someone offered it to you. Find out what you'll have to do once you're hired and make sure that's what you want to do. But don't be too picky. If this is your first job, you can't be the boss the first day. You will have to do what someone asks you to.

Don't be shy. Contact people and businesses in your area that hire people with your career interests. Ask to speak to someone in the employment office. Find out if they offer special summer programs, internships, or part-time opportunities for people with a desire to work hard. Such employment can be a great way to gain experience while trying out a career to see if it really is what you want to do.

Devote time to your job search. A thorough job search is hard work. Set aside a couple hours a day for hunting.

Allow a reasonable amount of time. Don't expect to find a job within a few days or weeks.

Be organized. Keep a record of all the places to which you applied, the name of the person with whom you spoke, and what response you received.

Meet with people in your field of interest. They might be able to tell you the best sources of job information or what you need to do before you can get a job.

Ask people who know you well to write letters of recommendation for you. Ask them to emphasize the skills you have that may seem missing because of a lack of formal experience. The best help is a letter designed to fit a particular position, not a general one that just talks about you separately from a specific job.

Have a back-up plan. If the first person or company you contact can't help you, try the next one on your list. Continue working to find a job even after you apply. You may need to apply for and even interview for several positions before finding the right one.

Make sure you filled out all of the information in the registration section.

Make sure you did a spell and grammar check on your resume.

Make sure that you have documented your talents and skill sets.

Be specific and detailed on your application. Don't forget to include information about your educational

background. If you're not sure what to write on the registration form about

salary, simply put "negotiable." Make sure you list your honors and awards, as well as

volunteer work and internships. Don't give inaccurate information about your credentials —

be as accurate as possible. Have a list of references and their contact information

available in case you need to list them on your application. Make sure you have the address, phone number, and name

of your last advisor for all prior jobs. Know your salary history.