When looking for any type of job, we sometimes make if harder on ourselves because we tend to think we have to start from scratch in order to succeed, when in reality we have more resources to find jobs at our fingertips than we may realize.

This job hunting tips will work for anyone and anytime, but they're especially effective and useful for finding jobs in hard times.

Don't believe anyone that tells you finding a job is easy and it will take little work. That's wrong thinking. On the other hand, while it takes work in finding a job, it's not as hard as it may seem, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The key in finding a job quickly at any time, and especially hard times, is not being too fussy and overly thinking about the idea of being underemployed. It's better to be underemployed than not employed at all, at least when the benefits run out, depending on how all that works in the country you may live in.

So if you're looking for a job, take the job hunting tips I'm giving you and apply them to how things work where you live. Something may be identified differently or by different names, but the idea is the same, so keep that in mind going forward.

The underlying point is to use past and existing contacts and networks to the best of your ability to land a job you need, and remaining flexible in landing some work. 

The first and most obvious place to look for a job is on the Internet. There are so many places to go it would be impossible to even list all the online job openings; or a small portion of them.

To get the most exposure using existing online contacts is important. Start off with MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and/or Craiglist to begin with, and branch out from there.

Don't be afraid to mention the general area you are looking to work in, as it's surprising at how many online contacts may know of local or regional opportunities without you knowing it.

This is worth trying, but don't stop there, as it could take a while for this to bear fruit, so keep looking for a job with these other methods. 

For those that have had good working relationships with past employers, it's a great idea to contact them to let them know you're in the job market. Not only can they give you some leads, but they may even hire you on the spot if left your position in good graces with the company. 

Do you belong to a church or other organization that you could let know that you're looking for a job? Almost anyone is willing to let you know about opportunities and businesses looking for help in these cases, and are excellent and quick resources, as the word of mouth is considered very credible.

I've personally done this one more than once when I needed a job, and that was to hit the mall and apply for any job I could. Some malls even have general applications that will be put in for any store looking, which helps you from having to fill out every form. But even if you have to, the mall is a good place to land a job fast.

While print media is on its way out, it's not close to being dead yet, and many local businesses still consider it a must to include their businesses in the Yellow pages, and other local publications.

Think of any you can and look through them for businesses and possibilities you may not know exist. 

A lot of times we look too far afield when looking for a job when resources are right at our fingertips, and I'm talking about our friends.

While taking advantage of online and other resources, it's very easy to dismiss or not even think about those we hang out with. Who knows what contacts they may have unless we ask them? 

Another resource to utilize is our neighbors. Just let it be known to them that you're looking for a job and word will definitely get out that you're searching.

Before long you could get feedback and be on your way to a new job. 

The entire idea of helping to find a job is to take into account resources that you take for granted and in many cases don't think of in terms of accessing concerning finding a job.

There are many more than this, and these are offered just to stimulate your thinking and get you to think outside the box.