Understand the way in which databases accept search strings. It's always good practice to check the Help section or Information button to get a better idea of how to extract the type of information you want from a database.

There are plenty of job search engines to know about. Among them are Monster.com, CareerBuilder, and HotJobs.

Most of the search engines are self-explanatory. The key is to put in the best search string. "Writer," for instance, will likely bring up many more technical writing jobs than editorial jobs. It's best to combine terms like, "writer, editor."

Another thing to keep in mind are Categories that you can use to refine the search. It's important to have an idea of what you are looking for before you actually sit down and start using the databases available. You need to address three questions: (1) What industry do I want to work for, (2) In what location, and (3) How big a company do I want to work for?

Answer these questions before you start using the search engines.