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Job boards are irresistible because they seemingly put everything within easy reach. Unfortunately, the majority of job hunters are competing for the same small pool of jobs and getting turned down. More than 80% of job openings are actually unlisted, says Steven Rothberg, founder of job website CollegeRecruiter.com in Minneapolis. This can be a good opportunity for outside candidates with research and networking skills since most companies will try to promote from within or rely on employee referrals. Look for signs: Keep up with whats going on in your industry. Read trade journals, follow analyst commentary and monitor the stock market for indicators showing which companies are growing, restructuring or contracting out services. Good or bad news can lead to staff changes so regularly check company websites and Facebook pages for jobs since they may not be advertised elsewhere. Compile a list of companies that youd like to work for and research relevant positions within those organizations. You can find job descriptions on career websites and industry blogs. For newly created jobs, try Glassdoor.com, a site offering inside job information that is supplied by anonymous employees. Only apply to jobs that closely fit your skills and experience, says Susan Strayer, a career coach in Washington. If you want to become that wildcard choice, a 30% match isnt going to cut it. You need to be as close to 100% as possible. | 
