Should you pay for job listings? The quick answer is no. The longer answer is still no, with a caveat.

There is a difference between web sites that provide a service i.e. the site searches for jobs for you to apply to and/or applies to them for you. If you can afford the service, web sites like this can be a way to save time and get more qualified job leads. I’m not complaining about these types of sites, because you are getting something for your money and you're paying for the service, not to access jobs.

The sites I have an issue with are those that charge job seekers for job listings. The job seekers, in many cases, don’t have a clue that they can find the exact same job listings on other sites - absolutely free.

There is no need to pay a monthly or quarterly, or any fee, when you can access the exact same jobs posted on company web sites free on the job search engine sites. Here's more information on whether you should pay for job listings, or not.

If you're not sure about a site, ask on our Forum and we'll do our best to check it out for you.

More: Free Job Listings

It seems like more companies are bypassing the job boards and either limiting recruiting to industry and/or local job sites or to their own web site. Companies are proactively using social recruiting techniques, as well, to find candidates on sites like Twitter.

How can you take advantage of how employers are hiring? I don't think you should totally bypass Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, and the other mainstream job boards, but they are certainly not the only sites you should use. It is important to proactively seek out job opportunities and a good way to do that is to job search where companies are hiring.

The more active you are in the places where companies are actively recruiting, the better shot you'll have at getting an interview - and getting hired. There's also less competition on the smaller niche sites, and you'll find more jobs that are a good match for your background.

If you're aware of where companies are seeking applicants, you can position yourself to increase your chances of getting found by hiring managers. By accessing company job opportunities directly, you'll avoid spam and scams, and duplicate or triplicate job postings. Instead, you'll be getting right to "real" and current job openings.

Here's more on how to job search where companies are hiring.

More: Finding Jobs at Company Web Sites

_{Image Copyright Jarek Szymanski}

I'd like to expand our collection of cover letters, resumes, CVs, and other employment-related letters. If you have a cover letter, resignation letter, thank you letter or other job search related letter, resume or curriculum vitae that you're proud of, I'd like to consider adding it to our samples.

Simply send it to me via email, along with the form giving us permission to use it. I'm looking for samples that reflect all levels of job seekers - from students to experienced professionals. If you'd like credit for your letter, let me know or, if you're concerned about privacy, let me know that, too, and I'll edit or remove your personal information. Thanks in advance for your help!

Also, if you have a cover letter writing tip to share, add it to our list. In a tough job market, a little advice can make a big difference.

If you're looking for samples to review, take a look at these sample resumes, cover letters, curriculum vitae, resignation letters, thank you letters, letters to accept, or decline a new job, and more career-related letters you can use for your job search correspondence.

More: Cover Letter Examples | Cover Letter Tips

_{Image Copyright Alejandro Raymond}

Just when I thought there wasn't much going on that was new and noteworthy in the career space, this is the week for new good job sites. I mentioned some new job sites yesterday and I thought it would be good to end this week on another positive note.

There's a new site that's an excellent resource for entry level candidates. JobSphere has job listings for students and recent grads, a Q & A Forum, and an opportunity to volunteer checking for new sites and job postings. It's a non-profit run by volunteers and it's free for job seekers (which all job listing sites should be) and also free for employers, so there's a good opportunity for companies that want to reach entry level candidates to post jobs.

More: Entry Level Job Search | Share Your Favorite Job Site