Local writer and social media consultant Monica Hamburg talks about how to tap into the hidden job market online in her excellent blog post. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Java programmer or a hairdresser – creating an online presence and fostering a network can benefit you. If nothing else, it’s way more fun than cold calling!

Don’t waste your time surfing around for deals, I’ve put together a list of the eight best Canadian deal sites out there for you:

Pricecanada.com – a shopping search engine that allows you to compare prices among numerous retailers.

Redflagdeals.com – One of Canada’s oldest and best deals and freebies websites.

Bigbigforums.com – Where cheapskate-wannabes gather in droves to discuss the latest scoop on deals, coupons and contests.

Slickdeals.net – This frequently updated site has Deal Alerts…sweet!

Pricenetwork.ca – On this site, people can vote on the hottest deals.

Pricegrabber.ca – Another comparison shopping website that allows you to customize your own shopping list.

Smartcanucks.ca – The first Canadian deals blog (or so they claim).

Lockergnome coupons – Chris Pirillo’s coupon search engine creates custom search RSS feeds. Niiiiice.

Maybe that 42 inch TV isn’t out of your reach after all? Now dust off your credit card and do your part for the economy!

These days, however, telemarketers have it tough. Not only can they get fined for contravening the DNC list, but they have to contend with a new trend – these days most people have cell phones, not land lines. Sure, you could screen the call using Caller ID, but here’s something better: once you have the number of a telemarketer, program an entry in your directory. I use the moniker "Do Not Answer". I then set the customized ringer to "Do not ring". I haven’t had to speak to a telemarketer in five years. And because I’m feeling generous, I’ve decided to share my sacred list with you.

Now, bear in mind that this list is only valid if you live in Canada – and the 604 numbers are only valid for the Vancouver area. However, I’ve confirmed that all these numbers are telemarketers of the most heinous kind. Do yourself a favour and block ‘em all. So, here’s a little list of my own – a Do Not Answer list:

866-428-1656
800-837-9531
604-270-7289
416-915-7933
866-428-1469
800-566-8064
866-629-7707
866-701-8375
416-581-1076
877-666-6339

And if you haven’t signed up for the DNC list, what are you waiting for?

So, without further ado, here is part 1, which will focus on job search engines. Sure, you’ll get 20% of jobs this way ( the other 80% you’ll find through the hidden job market), but it seems a good way to start. And after all, you might just might get lucky and beat the hordes of job seekers all vying for the same position…

Here are some job search engines tailored specifically to the high-tech industry in Vancouver:

And then of course there are the more generic search engines:

Craigslist, Eluta (I highly recommended this one), Monster, BC jobs, Workopolis, Working, Job Bank, and Hot Jobs.

For search terms, a simple boolean search (writer OR editor) normally does the trick, but you can get more specific if you want (technical communicator, information architect, etc.). There’s no perfect search term. So, start clicking and have fun checking out all those juicy (yet ephemeral) jobs out there!

In part 2, I’ll be discussing the interview – look for it later this week. 

Also, alive – in conjunction with The Good Life Network has just launched their podcast page. You can here my boss Terry-Lynn being interviewed by the silver-tongued Jesse Dylan at aliveonair.com.

I’ll also put this up on my resources page. A lot of these articles are derived from STC conferences and are available in PDF format.