Professional Associations

Professional associations, online and in real world encounters provide opportunities to network with leaders as well as colleagues in the field, and even if they produce no job leads, they can provide valuable information about one's career path. The associations have a continuing membership, as well as host terminal events. But always, one must remember professional associations are not specifically geared to job seekers, may be more targeted to established professionals, and can charge costly membership fees. They are a lifetime investment. So yes, professional associations for engineers, lawyers, doctors, and other professions all exist, and can be helpful, but their relative efficacy in networking and personal improvement often requires a financial investment that must be weighed against the job seeker's current needs. The challenge is to use them well, especially as a young graduate.

Staffing agencies

Staffing agencies look for employers and act as middlepersons, often exposing...
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