Find A Job Without Search Engines [AUDIO]

Nearly one-tenth of New Jersey's workforce is without a job. Maybe they are all making the same mistake.

The Internet offers job seekers the easiest access to open positions, as well as the opportunity to get their names to dozens of employers every day. The problem is - everyone knows that. The most fierce competition is on the World Wide Web.

There are some jobs that can only be obtained electronically by the general public, particularly in the bigger companies, but plenty of opportunities exist beyond cyberspace.

"I've talked with too many students who tell me they just spent tons of hours sending out applications online," said Dr. Chester Spell, Associate Professor of Management with the Rutgers School of Business. "I think what's missing is the value of networking. You've got to meet people."

Spell said job seekers who meet face-to-face with the people who do the hiring have the highest chances of getting a job.

He warned, though, one must dig deeper than job fairs; the key is getting face time when there's limited competition nearby. Spell recommended "professional societies," which host events for employers and potential employees in the same field.

Spell is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. He said one-on-one meetings between workers and hiring managers are common occurrences.

Internships also provide the face-to-face interaction that can lead to a paid position. However, they may not be a feasible option for adults with families.

"Sending out resumés and resumés over and over and over - it's just a loser's game," Spell added. "Your chances are so small with the competition like it is today."