In light of the recent employment decline in the U.S, there are still a few places online to successfully submit your resume. You may be familiar with some that are listed in this article; however I will also highlight the main causes of job posting scams. Whether you are a recent college grad, changing careers, or looking for another job, these sites are guaranteed to help with a successful job search. Over the past few months, I have tried several different websites, but only a few of these are worthy of resume submission.

Hot Jobs

Hot Jobs has changed the process of job hunting, and takes the guess work out of employers having to dredge through hundreds of resumes to find the perfect candidate. It is a free database that allows you to search jobs by city, state, company name and job category. You can store resumes and cover letters, and update your profile to make it easy for employers and recruiting staff to find you. Once you log into your account, there are several recommended jobs listed in your area of interest waiting for you to apply. You can also sign up to receive a daily list of jobs and have them sent directly to your email.

Monster

Monster is another excellent company for job search. It serves employers and prospective job candidates worldwide. It is ranked among the top 20 most visited sites on the Internet. You can personalize your monster account by adding a photo, and other personal information that employers normally wouldn’t see on a regular resume. Monster offers career tools and advice on how to interview properly, submit the perfect resume, and negotiate for the job of choice without compromising your integrity.

CareerBuilder

CareerBuilder is the largest U.S. online job research site. Boasting over 1 million jobs for candidates to choose from, CareerBuilder is by far the best place to apply for jobs. With every job listing, CareerBuilder offers maps, salary information, and contact information of the company you are applying for. Recommended jobs are posted according to your location, preference and company name. There is also an area called Fun Stuff with work related games to help you de-stress while you search for your perfect career.

AppleOne

AppleOne is an employment agency that services the U.S and Canada. Offering career assistance and special benefits, AppleOne allows you to post a resume, search for jobs, and use career tools on how to interview successfully. AppleOne also provides a career development bookstore, information on continuing education and a newsletter to help candidates get the most out of their careers.

Kelly Services

Kelly Services founded the temporary staffing industry in 1946, and has maintained leadership through the years. With customers around the globe, Kelly Services provides employment to over 65,000 employees yearly. Kelly Services has local offices to provide the best employment stability for job seekers with skills such as engineering, healthcare, information technology and office services.

Geebo

Geebo is an online classifieds website for people to place ads for jobs, housing, buying and selling used items and community announcements. Job postings are listed according to city, date and company name. Geebo allows you to submit your resume on the page without having to go directly to the company’s website. It is fast, free and easy to use with no complicated forms to fill out.

Local Newspaper

Every major city in the U.S. and around the world has a classified section with updated job listings to choose from. Most newspapers focus on the jobs in one specific area or city, instead of a global job board. Wall Street Journal and Business Weekly also have exclusive listings for a more professional job search.

Local Government Employment Agency

With state and city governments scrambling to receive a stimulus bonus to boost their job economy, several government agencies have job boards to keep you up to date. USAjobs.gov is unique website that allows you to search by occupation, state and agency of your choice. It provides links to affiliate agencies such as IRS, USDA, Homeland Security and Housing Development.

Craigslist

One of the most popular online community websites, Craigslist provides local announcements, ads, and postings for a vast array of jobs. One thing to keep in mind when using Craigslist is that it is specific to the area you are in. I have used Craigslist for years and it is the best resource on the internet to date. You can find just about anything from pet adoption, used vehicles, local events and a personals section. The job board is exceptionally user-friendly because it allows you to target your search by job category, city and state.

One thing to keep in mind when submitting your resume online is exposing personal information on the web. There have been several cases of fraud, theft, and criminal charges against people who abuse their right to use public job boards. Make sure you know the name of the company you are applying to. Check for a personal contact name and phone number. Double check the area you are searching in. Don’t give your social security number or other personal information to unknown or confidential postings. If in doubt, go straight to the company’s website and check their job board. Nine times out of ten they will have current job postings or allow you to be notified when jobs in your area become available. Follow up with the companies you apply to and see if there is any more information you can provide to them. You will be surprised at how many companies would rather receive a phone call from prospective candidates than to sift through dozens of faceless resumes.