Going back to school doesn’t mean you’ll need to stop working. Plenty of companies offer part-time positions during the weekends or evenings — offering more flexibility to students who are on a day schedule. Here are eight jobs to consider if you’re going back to school during the day but need to earn an income.

Restaurant server
While being a waiter or waitress can be hard work, it also offers the ultimate flexibility as you continue your education. Shifts are often short (less than eight hours) and time can fly by during busier times. With weekends and nights being the busiest times, restaurant work is a great way to get some extra cash after a grueling day of classes, says Ben Razdolsky, a University of Illinois at Chicago graduate who held part-time restaurant jobs throughout his courses. “I had my boss schedule me light schedules, and then would pick up days when I could afford to work more,” says Razdolsky. Plus, depending on the specific restaurant, your meals may be included.

Clothing store clerk
Many clothing stores look for workers who can put in weekend or night hours. The job requires top-notch customer service skills, but can be an enjoyable way to make some extra cash. Additionally, some small boutiques have slow times so it’s possible to sneak in some school reading done during work hours. Don’t feel guilty using a few minutes of downtime to study, Razdolsky says. “If your ultimate goal is to succeed in school, it needs to come first,” he suggests.

Customer service (telecommute)
While being on the other end of a customer service call can be annoying, most customer service reps take advantage of flexible work hours that can fit a student schedule. Working from home is common and there is potential to assist a variety of businesses. Not worrying about the office commute can also be a less stressful way to maintain a job without falling behind on coursework, says Miriam who works for an online retailer. “I can literally go to work in pajamas,” she says.

Movie theater employee
With weekends and nights being the busiest times, working at a theater can be the perfect part-time job. With constant turnover, landing a job is easy and there’ll be no hard feelings once you leave to pursue your post-degree career path. Plus, it offers plenty of perks for the movie buff.

Online community manager
Offering social networking marketing services to a company can help you build your own expertise in online media. Community managers focus on extending the company brand by levering social media sites. Even after you pursue work that’s more relevant to your courses, many companies continue to value this experience.

Bartender
Pouring drinks can be a good diversion to grueling lectures and earning tips means that you’ll walk away with plenty of cash at the end of the night. Flexibility is another bonus — with so many bartenders on one payroll, most bar managers are accommodating to switching shifts.

Health care workers
With round the clock need, some workers like hospital receptionists or home aides are always in demand. Working in a medical environment can mean great benefits and flexibility so it’s worth inquiring with a local hospital about openings.

School administrative worker
Most educational institutions rely (at least partially) on their students to keep backend operations running smoothly. Working at the school also means your bosses will understand when it comes to requesting a last-minute day off to study for finals.

Whatever job you decide to take it’s important to work somewhere that will not compound the stress of your courses, says Razdolsky. “There is no glory in being able to say you are your manager’s most valuable employee when you are failing classes,” he says. Additionally, put your day schedule first and skip any job offers that require overnight work or daytime work around your class schedule.

With an unemployment rate that’s still lingering above 9 percent, employers are seeking more credentials on the résumé. At the entry-level, state employment agencies are promoting the National Work Readiness Credential which is aimed at people who are gearing up to enter or re-enter the workforce. The extra preparation can be a way for job seekers to stand out.

Since starting in September 2006 the credential has already gained a significant amount of traction among employers, say career experts.

What it does
The assessment is a web-based test with three hours allotted to complete. It is available for job seekers to take at 213 national assessment sites in 23 states and costs $65 to take. Divided into four areas (situational judgment, using math for problem solving, oral language and reading comprehension) it’s designed to assure employers that you’re ready to tackle the job. Many states also offer online preparation materials for job seekers to get ready for the exam.

Pros
As more employers begin using innovative tactics to weed out huge numbers of applicants for entry-level positions, many career experts say this type of credential is useful. Having this designation is an easy pre-screening tool for large, time-strapped companies that are looking for high-quality hires. And with electronic sorting they can easily pick out the résumés with the certification.

Additionally, a certification may demonstrate work ethic on the part of job seekers. Employers are eager to understand how those who’ve experienced a layoff have re-tooled. And as people continue to spend months looking for work, it shows how they’ve added to their own career capital while unemployed.

Increasingly, hiring officials have been using the NWRC as proof of updated skills for older workers seeking to re-position their skills in the workforce. Some larger retailers have been using this credential as a way to insure that the new hire has the soft skills needed to work in a customer service-oriented retail environment.

Cons
It’s not for everyone. According to the official NWRC site workreadiness.com entry-level jobs are defined “as non-supervisory, non-managerial, non-professional positions.” So, for example, if you already have some experience and are looking for jobs at a firm with a clear career trajectory this type of credential may not help.

Additionally, if you already have professional work experience under your belt in the form of a prior internship, most employers are going to assume that you’ve got the entry-level qualifications required for your upcoming position. Before taking time to study for the assessment, make sure you understand how it fits with your specific career path.

Keep in mind that name recognition can also be low when it comes to the NWRC. Because the credential has only been widely used in the last two years, many companies are still unfamiliar with the type of skills assessed. Especially if you’re interviewing at a smaller organization, be prepared to explain the benefits of the certification directly to the hiring manager.

Bottom line
While the NWRC can be extremely valuable to entry-level workers or older career switchers eager to get back into the workforce, it will not open doors for everyone who’s job searching. Take the time to conduct an unofficial assessment of your previous experience to see which of your jobs will bring added value to a new role. Someone who has valuable experience with transferable skills may be better off finding another credential to get during the job search process. Although job seekers who are eager to jump into an entry-level position and have a need for additional reinforcement may feel the need that having an additional accomplishment on their résumé will give them an edge. To find more info visit: www.workreadiness.com.

Many industries offer continuing education certifications no matter where you are in your career. So whether you’re just starting out or are already a senior-level manager, being back in the classroom — even if it’s for a few days — can provide a boost in marketable skills. Additionally, putting a newly earned certification on a résumé gets the attention of hiring managers. “It’s almost like saying someone has a degree, it just opens the door,” says Nick D’Ambrosio, managing director of First Round Search.

To reap the benefits, planning ahead is crucial. Some certifications (like the one for a chartered financial analyst) can take several years to complete and require multiple exams along with work experience, says Robert Johnson, the senior managing director at the CFA Institute. Others consist of a course that can be easily integrated into a just a few workweeks. Many cost between several hundred and several thousand dollars, so find out your firm’s reimbursement policies before taking the plunge because there are thousands of certifications offered today.

Here’s a look at how certifications benefit today’s growing industries:

Information technology

With new technologies emerging quickly, certifications are a way to keep up with changing demands. “If [an applicant] sends a résumé that they are Cisco certified that’s pretty valuable,” says D’Ambrosio. With so many options, conduct research on additional certifications that are valuable in your industry. For example, an advanced Microsoft Excel training course can prove to employers that you’re ready to tackle complicated spreadsheets and costs $100 to $200.

Manufacturing

The industry offers extremely specific certifications to help you get caught up in new processes. Many of the most popular certifications are offered from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The association offers anything from the certified manufacturing technologist certification to different levels of lean manufacturing certification. Prices vary and can cost from $500 to $1,500.

Finance

With certifications like the CFA being a gold standard, it’s possible to get additional training once you start your finance career. Acquiring these certifications is especially important when there is high competition among job applicants, Johnson says. “The need to distinguish oneself from others is particularly acute in tight job markets,” he says. Risk management is another hot topic for professionals in the industry and the credit risk certification offered from the Risk Management Association is becoming another popular choice. For many certifications in the finance sector, cost are between $1,000 and $3,000.

Sustainable business

With so much focus on eco-friendly business, certifications are a way for those in many different areas of business to show commitment. Many sustainability courses and certifications are offered locally, so it’s a good idea to do some extra research to decide which one fits your needs. Since many of the offerings are still emerging, quality varies, so it’s important to be especially careful when making a commitment.

Health care

Many of the certifications in the health field range from very specific to extremely broad. To decide what you’re looking for, consult an industry association like the National Healthcare Association to get a list of the different options available. Since many of the professions within the health care industry continue to be in growth mode, having the right set of skills can help you quickly land a job. If time is a factor, consider an online course. Typically, online offerings — including those in the health care field — boast lower costs while staying effective.

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Certificates can be a benefit no matter your industry. CareerOneStop, a Web site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor provides certification options in many industries or professions. Browse aicnet.org to get a list of several thousand offerings.

With heavy demands and homework assignments, adding evening classes to an already busy schedule can make it seem like you’ve started a second career. To fight stress, learning time management is most important, says Elizabeth Thompson, a student at the Evening Extended Division at the Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware. “In order to be able to balance everything, it’s important to look at night school — whether it is undergraduate studies or graduate level — as a job all its own,” she says. “There are things that need to be done by a specific time just like any other job.”

As you pursue a degree — or even if you’re just taking a few classes — there are jobs that are ideal for evening students. Here’s what to look for in a job if you’re taking courses:

Tuition reimbursement

Suggested positions: insurance agent, pharmacy technician

Large corporations often have policies that can make going through school less of a financial burden, says Helen Jost, a coordinator of adult recruitment at McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Jost suggests exploring the tuition reimbursement policies as you’re looking for an ideal position. Since the offering is seen as an added bonus that companies often tout, it’s easy to find out about a company’s policy through a simple online search.

Steady hours

Suggested positions: doctor’s office receptionist, coffee shop manager

With many fields requiring constant overtime, finding a job that’s strictly 9-to-5 can be a challenge. Be upfront with potential employers about your needs. Most managers would prefer to settle the situation with a discussion rather than take on an employee who may be unable to do the work. Sticking to a steady schedule can make it easier to do the assigned work or attend class. Ideally, find “a business, which is only open until 5 p.m.,” Jost says.

Work-from-home

Suggested positions: customer service, sales representative

Telecommuting can mean you don’t have to use extra minutes driving to and from the office. Since school is almost always a significant investment, the extra time will mean you’re never late for class and there’s no need for an explanation to your boss as you rush out the door. Working from the house, however, can make it tough to keep up a work/life balance, so be careful to manage your time appropriately.

An understanding manager

Suggested position: small retail business, nonprofit

Whether your boss also completed evening classes, or just has several children that require constant attention — make sure there’s something that makes the person you work for understand your pursuits. Look for “someone who understands when you need to take time off for finals, projects, meetings and other necessary requirements of attending evening classes,” says Thompson, who has had to take time off during the day. “For example, some financial aid and registration issues can only be handled during normal business hours.”

Value in continuing education

Suggested positions: college administrative office, school district employee

Choose a company where continuing education is the norm. Working for a company that focuses on — and understands the value of — education can help eliminate any problems if you need to head out early for your final exam. Additionally, if you work in an academic setting and have finished all of your work, you may be able to use your free time to study for exams or to do your homework, Thompson says.

As you search for your ideal job, be sure to ask the right questions about what it will entail; asking about overtime, days off, flexibility and paid vacation once you’ve gotten the offer will eliminate confusion from your new employer. Also, make sure the job fits your needs. “While the job may pay very well and have a supportive atmosphere, you don’t want to catch yourself in a position where you are trying to do too much,” Thompson suggests.

If you’re eager to go back to school without leaving your job, there’s no need to start worrying about the bill. Depending on company policy, your employer may foot the bill when it comes to continuing education, especially if it helps in your current career path. Funding can mean anything from covering part of the costs, offering days off or even paying for years’ worth of tuition at a local university. Once you research what you’re looking to study and chose a program that’s the right fit, it’s time to convince your employer to make the investment. Here’s where to start:

Consult with human resources

Your HR counselor should be able to provide a general idea of the policy surrounding reimbursement at your firm. Reimbursement policies vary widely. “[Companies] can have a tax credit of up to $5,250 a year and that’s a good general rule that a lot of companies use as their maximum cap for reimbursement,” says Sandy Womack, director or EduPlan, a company that advises corporations on education reimbursement policies. “Some companies will reimburse anything – there’s no maximum and the sky is the limit.” Use the reimbursement policy as a guide when making your education decisions. For example, if the company only covers $5,250 per year consider completing a program in three years versus two in order to avoid paying a higher bill.

Do your research

With so many different options, understanding the value of the program you’re considering is key. Speaking with alumni or anyone at your company who has recently made a similar investment can give you realistic expectations. If it’s a new offering or a longer degree, be sure to speak with the school administrators about skills learned. Additionally, many schools offer various formats for the courses or certificate so deciding whether you’re looking to attend online, in-person or a mix of both is important.

Talk to your manager

Convincing the person who oversees your work about why the investment is necessary can be the most important part. Cite the research you’ve conducted about the possible programs to help your manager understand how it could be an asset to your work. For example, if you’re working in the retail industry and have recently scored a promotion, a leadership course can help you reach the next level. Or if you never got enough credits to complete your college degree but are interested in staying in the business world, going back to school to finish your business degree can be a great solution. Whatever you decide, it’s best to have a plan before having the discussion, says Womack. “Managers [will be] impressed that this employee has done their homework,” she says.

Excel at your job

The biggest hesitation on the part of managers about letting employees go back to school is being unsure whether the person can juggle the demanding schedule. Demonstrating to your employer how you can succeed at work will be helpful in convincing the company to sponsor your education. Additionally, before signing off on tuition reimbursement many companies look at previous performance as a way to gauge success. So if you’ve had a mediocre review it makes sense to wait until you’re back on track before bringing up the conversation.

Be ready to stay with the company

Many companies may see investing in an employee’s education as a retention tactic or as a way to reward valuable employees. If you’re completing a longer degree program, the reimbursement will sometimes depend on you staying with the company for several years after completion. If your career goals don’t align and you’re eager to jump ship at the next opportunity, you may be stuck repaying your tuition.

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Some of the hottest jobs in the country only require an associate degree. And while you can have a higher degree to fill some of them, only an associate degree is a requirement.

For example, growing areas like health care are an especially good choice for those with associate degrees. “The careers provide one on one care, and men and women in these fields like this type of work,” says Kristina Ierardi, coordinator of career services at Cape Cod Community College in Massachusetts.

Here is a list of jobs that are experiencing growth for those with an associate degree, according to the research on the fastest growing occupations released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Veterinary technologist or technician
If you love working with animals (and aren’t squeamish) dealing with peoples furry pets can make for truly enjoyable work. Many technicians or technologists have the same job requirements as that of a nurse for a regular doctor, and often have to perform tests or make the diagnosis for animals. Hiring is estimated to grow by almost 36 percent through 2018.

Dental hygienist
Working directly with dentists, a hygienist often performs routine teeth cleanings on patients as well as provides instructions on proper oral care. Many hygienists have flexible schedules and work with more than one dentist, which can be a great perk of the job. Employment is estimated to grow by 36 percent through 2018.

Registered nurse
Nurses work with a variety of patients to aid physicians of all types. The settings vary drastically from medical offices to extremely specialized floors of a hospital. Registered nurses make up about 28 percent of hospital workers, and there’s a continued need for the profession. Still competition is tough: “Even graduates of our associate degree program in nursing have been encountering fierce competition in the job market, with employers often preferring to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree,” Ierardi says.

Environmental engineering technician
As interest in sustainability issues increases, environmental engineering technicians will continue to be in high demand. Technicians work with environmental engineers to develop or implement methods that help combat environmental damage. Technicians focus on areas like air pollution, water pollution and recycling. Employment for environmental engineering technicians is estimated to grow by 30 percent through 2018.

Occupational therapy assistants
Working under an occupational therapist, the job of an OT assistant is to help with the mental or physical rehabilitation of patients. Assistants are responsible for teaching patients about proper exercises needed for recovery, and can also work with people who have physical and head injuries or stroke patients, says Morris Pounds a career counselor at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Industrial maintenance technician
Those who enter the industry are required to work on large machines in all areas including manufacturing as well as heating and cooling. Technicians use their mechanical skills and often repair large production machines, Pounds explains. “Many people in the field like to use their analytical mind as well [enjoy] the physical part of the job,” he says.

Choosing a position that fits your skills can be difficult, but many growing fields require only an associate’s level degree to gain employment. That said there are plenty of other opportunities for those starting out with associate degrees. As a high unemployment rate continues, even jobs like retail sales clerks, customer service representatives and bank tellers strongly prefer candidates with an associate degree, Ierardi says. Once you land a position, it may be a good idea to speak with your employer about further opportunities. “Some companies also assist employees in these positions to afford additional educational credentials with tuition assistance, reimbursement or other incentive programs,” she says.

Going back to school is a major decision, especially if it’s been years since you’ve cracked open a textbook. While it can be tough to adjust (and takes a lot of money and dedication) getting an education can be a worthwhile investment.

If you’re thinking of becoming a student again, here are some things to consider before starting your first semester:

1. Work experience
Consider how your work experience will propel you forward once it’s combined with your desired degree. If you’re trying to make a career switch, it’s important to understand whether you’re ready to start from square one upon graduation. Additionally, it’s necessary to truly research whether your new degree will allow for a new career once you graduate points out, Michael Robinson, the chief career coach at careerplanner.com. “I have seen a lot of engineers and non-business folks go for MBAs and when they were done they didn’t look anymore like a businessman than when they started,” he says.

2. Career goals
Consider what your goals are after graduation — is this something that only looks good on your résumé or a program that truly gives necessary knowledge to your career? Robinson suggests asking yourself: “Will you be learning new skills that your employer will value or just getting a new degree?” Understanding the distinction can help you realize if there’s something that could be a better use of your time like getting a new job or striving to work elsewhere in your company or even taking on a side consulting project.

3. Financing
Education is expensive, so make sure you’re getting a good return on investment before making a commitment. Depending on the type of program you sign up for, individual schools can provide funding with grants. Additionally, you can take out private or Federal loans for many education institutions. Gather the list of potential programs and reach out to financial aid counselors to help you make a decision. To decrease costs, you can opt to go to a public versus private university that can be more than double the cost.

4. Time
Depending on the length of the program and whether you’d need to resign from your current job can play an important role in the decision. Taking off from work is a big step, and it’s important to consider any part-time options if you’re not going back to school to make a career switch. If you’ll stay employed consider how many hours are needed to pursue academic endeavors. Not having enough time for school can mean that going back is a waste of money.

5. Career opportunities
Meeting with the school’s alumni can help you assess career opportunities and learn about possibilities for what can be accomplished once you’ve completed a specific program. Be sure to compare your own career goals to those of recent graduates to understand if school would be a good fit.

6. Long-term plans
Thinking through your long-term goals is a great way to make a real assessment. Consider how long you’ll be paying off loans, whether you’re eager to stay in this career for the next decade and whether your industry or sector is healthy and growing. While it can be impossible to really make thorough predictions, it’s important to understand how this type of education can fit into your life.

With the price tag and time commitment of going back to school, assessing key factors is critical. Be sure to think through your long-term plans as well as the true return on investment of attending. And be sure you’re going back for all the right reasons. “If you aren’t getting ahead in your current job, it’s probably not because you don’t have that advanced degree,” Robinson says.

Setting aside time for both school and work can be a stressful endeavor. Meeting constant demands is difficult and prioritizing can become complicated as time-sensitive projects are bound to arise for both.

But there’s good news: As more employers become aware of the benefits that employees receive from continuing their education, you can expect a great understanding of the demands on your time. While you’ll undoubtedly have to work some weekends and late nights, with enough planning it’s possible to balance your work with the demands of school. Though if you’re really feeling overwhelmed, it may be useful to decrease the amount of courses you’re taking at once or hours worked per week in order to be more productive in both endeavors.

Here are a few time management tips to help you get through the challenge of balancing work and school:

1. Take Assignments With You
Since you likely don’t need to be at your desk or computer to finish all of your tasks, be sure to take advantage of things you can do on the go. “Carry your school or work tasks with you to take advantage of pockets of time as they become available,” says Natalie Gahrmann, a coach who specializes in work and life effectiveness. For example, a book for a certain class can easily be read while you’re commuting or even waiting at the doctor’s office.

2. Don’t Cram
Balancing a job with schoolwork can make you feel like you’re always on deadline for something. Starting early on long-term assignments can allow you to save time in order to deal with the unexpected issues that tend to arise at work, Gahrmann says. “Be aware of deadlines, important meetings, and assignments and pace yourself rather than cramming at the last minute,” she suggests.

3. Manage Stress
It’s easy to get stressed out when life gets busy so it’s even more important to think ahead when managing stress, Garhmann says. “By understanding what triggers your stress, how to identify your symptoms and how stress affects you, you can more proactively manage it,” she says. Additionally, meeting up with friends or following an exercise routine can help you turn your focus away from work or school, which can drastically improve your quality of life.

4. Communicate With Your Managers
As she completes her three-year long part-time MBA degree, Betsy*, a senior financial analyst at an insurance company says she tries to communicate her schedule to her managers. She lets her managers know about her expected school tasks and when she plans to do her work-related tasks. Being upfront about what else is required of her, helps keep everyone on the same page, she says. She makes sure her managers know that school doesn’t interfere with, but rather helps her personal and professional development.

5. Use One Calendar
To stay organized, it’s important to keep a central place with all of your deadlines. Whether it’s just a book that you carry with you or a calendar that’s part of your email it’s important to visually see all of the different deadlines you have coming up. Peek at the calendar before establishing upcoming due dates. Also, use your calendar to spread out flexible deadlines, which can also help in balancing your time.

6. Make Accurate Estimates
When setting aside time for school or work-related tasks it’s important to be as accurate as possible about how much time is actually required. Determining correct estimates will prevent you from getting behind throughout the weeks and help you stick to a schedule. For example, if you’ve designated three hours to prepare for a work presentation but it really takes seven, your schoolwork or other projects that you meant to complete over the week may suffer.

* Last name withheld at person’s request.

Getting into a top business school is an arduous process, with potential for pitfalls around every corner. All too often, applicants get so involved with the essay and interview portion of the process, that they underestimate the importance of the recommendation. Applicants need to manage the recommendations component of the business school admissions process as strategically as they do all the other parts.

Deciding on an appropriate strategy can quickly become complicated, particularly if an applicant has clear areas in need of improvement that must be addressed. Initially, the key consideration is identifying how to present such weaknesses in a recommendation that will positively impact the application, then approaching the referee best able to deliver that message credibly and effectively.

Applicants should consider the following five strategies to ensure that their recommendations help lead to admissions success:

1. Assume your referee does NOT have experience writing business school recommendations.
Most don’t, so send the recommendation form with basic guidelines that detail what kinds of topics should be covered in answer responses. By sending guidelines, the referee will understand how to provide information, which helps the admissions committee to corroborate claims made in other parts of an application, as well as learn how the applicant is viewed from a third party perspective.
2. Target referees with executive or senior titles where you can, but only the ones who know you well and with whom you have worked.
The admission committee will be impressed by the insightful comments your referee provides, particularly if observations of your performance come from people with senior-level organizational responsibility. The positive evaluation will put forth the notion of the applicant as a future business leader and as a candidate worthy of joining the business school. For those applicants who are entrepreneurs or non-profit leaders, approach clients who have observed you in a supervisory capacity and are in the position to evaluate your performance on multiple levels.
3. Preemptively balance your admissions portfolio.
If you have a weak class rank or GPA, have the referee focus on your achievements in a group-oriented learning situation. Low GMAT scores should be balanced with past or recent quantitatively-demanding projects. Applicants with short performance records should have referees discuss their qualitative, analytical contributions.
4. Bring performance characteristics to life.
Have referees highlight analytical and leadership abilities as well as career potential through examples — the more vivid, the better.
5. Respond to weaknesses or areas for improvement with candor.
Portrayals of total perfection or flawlessness actually weaken a recommendation. Referees should be guided to resist the instinct to avoid the subject or to superficially respond. Performance reviews are a great place to start, if available, but regardless of the source material, the comments should provide insight into how the applicant responds to constructive criticism or takes initiative to address a shortcoming.

Always bear in mind your desired effect depends on message strategy and substance. The more insightful your referee’s comments are, the more seriously and favorably the admissions committee will weigh your application.

Walter Hutchinson is a 20 year global business school admissions and career strategist who has helped hundreds of people in the Americas, Europe and Asia gain admission to the world’s most prestigious business schools. In 2010 Hutchinson and his company, ApplicationAdvantage, will launch a complete online resource for business school applicants to manage every step in the admissions process.

Networking is certainly a powerful business skill, but it is arguably the most powerful job search skill you can develop. Study after study has shown the enormous value of networking. Whether you consider yourself an expert schmoozer, or a total novice, here are some networking strategies that are bound to help:

Reconnect with Old Co-workers
Make a list of the people you had working relationships with in the past and reach out to them. Whether you have spoken to people recently or not doesn’t matter. With all of the various web based social media sites it is pretty easy to find just about anybody with a quick online search. Talk to people on the phone or in person when possible. An e-mail can be easily forgotten or overlooked, but a phone call or a cup of coffee with the person makes you more likely to be remembered.

Have an Online Presence
Social media is here to stay, and it is very important to have and manage an online presence. If you don’t have an online presence, build one! In addition to posting your resume, you can create (or not create) profiles on many major networking sites for free. These sites are an alternate way to have your profile made publicly available where you can control the information people see (or do not see). They are also a great way to track down new contacts or people you have lost touch with. Next, find out what information is already on the web about you. Start by running a basic Google search on yourself and see what comes up. If you can Google yourself and find something you don’t like, so can a potential employer. A basic Google background check has become almost standard for employers because it is free and it usually turns up a surprising amount of information. You want to make sure you know what information about you is available in the public domain.

Join a Professional or Industry Group
Regardless of what you do for work, there is almost certainly one or more professional organizations that cater to your field … check them out and join them! Many such groups have member directories, regular meetings, networking events, etc. Simply joining is usually not enough –- what you get out of these organizations is usually in direct proportion to what you put in, so use the membership to connect with people in your field.

College Alumni Directories
If you attended college there is a good chance that your school has an alumni directory. In the information age, these directories are almost always available online. College alumni directories are one of the most overlooked, yet most valuable networking resources available to a job seeker. Use these directories to expand your network and contact people in the space you are targeting.

Networking is an extremely useful job search strategy because it gets results and it is often underutilized. In a hyper competitive job market, effective networking can give you a big advantage over your competition.

David Staiti is a Vice President and Practice Manager at The Charles Sterling Group, a nationally focused executive search firm based in Boston. David manages the firm’s accounting & finance search practice and he has almost a decade of search experience.