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

Given the amount of new job sites lately that are either not very good, bad, or just plain awful when it comes to being a valuable resource for job seekers, I'm always thrilled when I come across a new and different site that works.

There's a new way for job seekers to get found by top Fortune 500 companies. AllianceQ is a group of Fortune 500 companies that have collaborated to create a pool of job candidates.

Job seekers who register with AllianceQ can be found, confidentially, by leading employers.

Users register anonymously and don't have to provide contact information until they accept a job invitation. In addition, you can block your current employer from seeing your profile.

After you've registered (average join time when I looked was 41 seconds), you create a resume and select your career interests. Then you'll (hopefully) receive job invitations from companies that are interested in talking to you.

Given the competitiveness of the job market, this is a really good way to get your candidacy in front of major employers and it's well worth taking the time to give it a try.

On another new and noteworthy note, if you're interested in finance jobs, check out OneWire. It's another new good site that companies are using to directly access job seekers. OneWire matches job seekers with job opportunities from companies that are a direct fit with their skills and experience.

And for transportation and infrastructure jobs, check out FastLane Hires, which is also brand new.

More: How to Find Companies to Work For

I'm always thrilled when someone thanks me for helping them or for giving them advice. I'm not the only one who likes being appreciated - employers like being thanked, too.

The job applicants who make the best impression are the candidates who take the time to say thank you after a job interview. It doesn't take much time to send a quick thank you letter, thank you note, or email. In addition to being polite, a thank you letter is a good way to reiterate your interest in the job and to remind the hiring manager of why you would be an asset to the company.

It's important to say thank you after a job interview and after a second interview as well. It's also important to thank everyone you interviewed with and everyone who assisted with your job search. Here's information on thank you letters including who you should thank and the best way to thank them.

If you're not sure what to write, review a sample thank you letter or two to get some ideas and suggestions. And, if you have a thank you letter you're proud of and you'd like to share it with our site visitors, here's how to submit your letter for consideration.

More: Follow Up Letters

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I appreciate the responses I got when I asked for some job search success stories yesterday. The blog comments, LinkedIn answers, tweets, and Facebook messages I received showed how resiliency and determination, as well as being hopeful, can all help with your job search.

As does paying attention to the details. It really is what some might consider little things that can make a big difference when it comes to finding a job - wearing the right interview clothes, sending thank you notes, and projecting a positive and enthusiastic image - regardless of how stressed you might feel about acing the interview and getting a job offer.

Diana Jennings was one of the people who was kind enough to share her job search story and what worked for her:

• I did my homework.
• I made my life experiences TOTALLY relevant to the interviewers. This was not a stretch, but it was still important to be thoughtful.
• I sold my skills to the search committee.
• And I sent thank you notes to everyone.
• I dressed professionally, but I brought walking shoes.
• I brought examples of my work to the interview and gave the interviewers something to do.
• I asked lots of questions.
• I radiated the enthusiasm I really felt.

Diana recently accepted a job offer and is about to start her new job. As Diana said, so well, "So be hopeful. Learn the new skills, remember the old ones, and you’ll come out of this." If you're still job searching, here are some tips to help you find a new job fast.

More: Share Your Job Search Story | How to Find a Job

In the midst of all the bad job market news, I'm looking for a little light at the end of the tunnel. I mentioned on LinkedIn and Twitter this morning that I was looking for job search success stories.

I've heard from some people who have had good luck finding a new job - including such varied positions as a librarian, a cashier at KMart, a sales manager, and a software developer. I've also heard from others, too many, who are struggling to find a job, including one person who had been trying to change jobs for seven years (at least he still has one).

Have you found a new job recently? Please share your job search success story. I'd be thrilled to hear from anyone who has found a new job and I'm also interested in how you job searched and what you made a difference in getting a new job in a tough economy.

For those who are still searching, please don't give up. I've received lots of good advice and tips on what to do when your unemployment benefits are running out. Additional suggestions would be appreciated, as well. Also, stop by the About.com Job Searching Forum for personal help and advice.

More: Share Your Job Search Success Story

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Are you having a tough time getting your resume to look good? It isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially when you want to make yours perfect enough to get you an interview.

Taking a look at resume examples is a good way to get ideas for your own resume. Here is a selection of great resume examples which will give you some ideas you can use to create your own resume.

When reviewing examples, pick and choose from among the different templates and styles to create documents that work well for your background and skills. Do be sure to customize your resume, so it is specifically targeted to each job you apply to.

Also, if you have a resume or letter you're proud of, here's how to submit your resume or cover letter to our collection.

More Resources: Resume | Cover Letter

The National Employment Law Project reports that both the number of unemployed workers and the percentage of workers who have been out of work for six months have reached record highs. The average length of unemployment is now over six months and workers are starting to run out of the extended benefits provided by the stimulus plan. I'm hearing from more and more people who are running out of unemployment benefits and aren't sure what to do next.

What can you do if your unemployment runs out or you're about to run out of unemployment benefits? First of all, check with your State Unemployment Office to make sure that you are receiving all the extended benefits you qualify for. If you're close to being out, take a look at the other resources that are available for unemployed workers and take advantage of whatever you can to help you get by until you find a new job.

Here's more on what to do when unemployment runs out.

More: Share Your Advice | Where to Get Help

When it comes to choosing a resume format, one size doesn't fit all. There are a variety of different types of resumes and there really isn't one best resume format. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, or a combination resume, and, regardless of which type of resume you choose, be sure it is a customized resume - specific to the job you are interested in.

Generic resumes don't work anymore. Instead, your resume needs to clearly show the employer why you should be selected for an interview.

Here's more advice on how to write a resume including choosing a type of resume, using resume templates, resume writing tips, and where to get help with resume writing.

More Resources: Resume | Resume Builder

I know there are career experts who say that when you go on vacation, you shouldn't even think about your job or job searching, and you shouldn't check your email or your voicemail.

I don't follow that advice. I check my email, my social media sites, and my discussion forum early in the morning, and, again, if I get the time later in the day. I don't always answer all my email, but I address what's important, delete the junk, and leave the rest for when I'm back to work.

Given the competitiveness of the job market and how hard it is to find a job - any job, I think that anyone who is actively job seeking shouldn't take a chance on missing out on a job opportunity or a conversation with a connection who can help build your career. It's also important to be able to respond in a timely manner to prospective employers when you have applied for jobs.

Take your job search on vacation with you. Staying connected will help your job search, regardless of where you are located. As long as you have the right job search travel tools with you, you won't have any problems accessing voicemail, email, or the Internet.

More: iPhone Job Search Apps

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One of the hardest parts of job searching, especially you're just starting out, is figuring out how to write a resume. Do you need help with how to write a resume? First of all, your resume needs to be consistent, concise, and clear and easy to read. If it's not, your resume and cover letter won't get a second glance from any hiring manager.

It's also important to take the time to create a customized resume that specifically highlights the experience you have that is relevant to the job you are applying for. When your resume is good match for the hiring requirements, you'll have a better chance of getting an interview.

Here's advice on how to write a resume including choosing a type of resume, using resume templates, resume writing tips, and where to get help with resume writing.

More Resources: Resume | Resume Builder

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Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews. They are also used as way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town candidates. In addition, I know some people who have been hired solely as a result of a series of phone interviews.

Phone interviews are conducted just like in-person interviews. It's important take time to review the typical phone interview questions you'll be asked and to prepare answers. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills.

Our phone interview tips video will show you how to pull off your phone interview without a hitch.

More: Phone Interview Questions and Answers

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Just about everyone is using Facebook for personal networking, but you can use it for professional networking, as well. With lots of job search applications to choose from, Facebook is becoming more than a social networking site. These Facebook job search apps can all be used as part of your job search.

On a related note, there are lots of job search related iPhone apps, too. There are a variety of apps for your iPhone and iPod Touch that you can use to expedite and manage your job search. You can download job search iPhone apps that search for jobs by keyword and location (using the iPhone GPS function), email job listings, keep track of your contacts, and even create a resume.

Many iPhone applications are free. Before you buy an app, check for reviews in the iTunes store to make sure it's worth investing a few dollars.

More: Using Facebook for Professional Networking | Job Search Tools

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Are you looking for jobs in all the right places? My Online Job Search and Employment Guide has all the resources you'll need to find job listings online, including how to write resumes and cover letters, the best job search websites, how to conduct a job search, the best way to use networking and social media to job search, and how to interview successfully.

There's helpful advice on how to negotiate compensation, get good references, and how to research employment related benefits and legal issues, like what to do if you're fired or laid-off.

You'll also find tips and advice to ensure that you are using all the top Internet job search resources available to find job listings online that are a good fit for your background, experience, and where you want to work.

More: Job Listings | Online Job Search | Job Search Websites

It can be tough to negotiate salary in the best of circumstances. Even deciding whether to accept a job offer or to negotiate the salary can be a hard decision to make. It's even more difficult to ask for - and get - more money in a down economy.

What can you do make sure you're getting best salary you can? Lee E. Miller, career coach and author of Get More Money on Your Next Job... In Any Economy, shares his tips for getting the best salary and benefits, in a way that's diplomatic and non-threatening to what could be your future employer.

Here are Lee's tips for getting more money on your next job.

More:: Salary Calculators | How Much Are You Worth?

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What can you do when you have to find a job fast? It's not easy, but there are steps you can take to expedite your job search.

Spending some time to get your job search in order, keeping it organized, focused, and on the fast track will help you find a job faster than if you don't have a plan in place.

Rather than hitting, and maybe missing, your job search targets, you'll be spending your time job searching in an effective manner if you take it one step at a time - and stay on top of managing the job search process. Here's how to get your job search on the fast track.

More: Job Search Websites | Online Job Search Guide

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