The first thing you should do if you are looking for a job is ask everyone you know if their employers are hiring. If anyone you know works somewhere that is hiring new people, ask for a recommendation or introduction to a manager. With the job market in the condition it is in currently, it often is extremely difficult to find gainful employment without some kind of personal connection to a given position. The few people who are hired usually have some kind of an in.
If your attempts at networking fail, or if you are in a new city and don't know anyone to network with, you'll have to begin the jobhunting process in earnest. These days, the first place most people turn to for job hunting is craigslist, a popular web site devoted to classifieds. Typing "craigslist.org" into a web browser will automatically redirect you to the craigslist page for the city in which you currently inhabit.
There are also a number of online search engines such as JobFox and Simply Hired that list additional employment opportunities. You should also check the local newspaper for job wanted advertisements. Many cities also have one or more organizations printing out publications specifically geared towards listing local job offers, so be on the lookout for those as well at convenience stores and local (non-Starbucks) coffee shops.
Once you've found a job listing you like, the next step is usually to send out a resume and cover letter. A resume is a document in which you list your education and work experience along with any professional skills you might have. If you've never written a resume before and are unsure how best to format such a document, this site provides excellent resources to help get you started. In your cover letter, meanwhile, you should introduce yourself, explain why you want the position, and list in greater detail your work experiences and how those experiences will be useful to you in the job for which you are applying. Ask a friend to read over your resume and cover letter. Be sure to include your contact information.
It is usually a good idea to follow up on each application you submit. After a week or two, if you haven't heard anything back, call or e-mail the job contact and politely reaffirm your interest in the position and restate why you are a good candidate. This kind of diligence reflects well on job applicants.
If your application is received favorably, you may be called in for a job interview. The standard rules of politeness and professionalism apply to job interviews. Dress nicely. Be on time, but not too early. Look the interviewer in the eye and answer her or his questions honestly. And make sure you have a few intelligent questions about the job; interviewers almost always ask if you have any questions, and saying that you have none makes you look uninterested and uncommitted to the position. Happy hunting!
