Job search methods that fit how hiring works now

A job search today is part detective work and part paperwork. Postings are scattered across company sites, job boards, staffing agencies and word of mouth, and plenty of openings get filled by someone a current employee already knows.

In this section we cover where to look for your target role, how to read a posting for what the employer really needs, how to track applications without losing your place, and how to spot scams. Fake job offers that ask for money, bank details or an equipment deposit are common, and they tend to target people who need work fast. If an offer arrives before any interview, slow down.

We also write about skills-based hiring, where employers judge what you can do rather than which degree you hold. More employers have dropped degree requirements for some roles, which opens doors for workers who learned on the job, in the military or through a certificate. We'll show you how to find those postings and how to answer them well.