--- The Search Methods ---

One definite way to reduce amount of time you spend searching is to visit "meta-search engines." A meta-search engine is one that provides a front-end to search several other search engines. In other words, when you type in a keyword, engine searches other sites in parallel and returns results to you. Some of more relevant keywords I've successfully used with meta-search engines include: freelance, telecommute, telecommuting, telecommuter, , work at home, work from home, telework, off-site, offsite. The keyword includes any keyword that would apply to your field or any field of your choice.

Some of more popular meta-search engines are as follows:

* JobSleuth - http://www.jobsleuth.com * Job Search Engine - http://www.jobsearchengine.com/ * Wanted Jobs - http://www.wantedjobs.com/ * JobVertise - http://www.jobvertise.com

These meta-search sites reduce number of different sites you'll have to visit by bringing results back to you. Note that JobVertise is not an actual meta-search engine, but it is updated from several different locations periodically.

Another group of time-wasters are "centralized databases." A lot of sites like JobVertise and Wanted Jobs allow smaller job sites to provide a search mechanism into their databases. What this means is that you could hit 20 sites and perform a job search, when in fact, 12 of them are using same source database!

--- Using a Tool ---

I use two great tools for searching and managing information on Web ... especially for job searches. One is a search tool called Copernic (http://www.copernic.com) and other is an organizational tool called Correlate (http://www.correlate.com).

Copernic is a meta-search engine application that runs on your local computer. It allows you to select a category and perform a search on numerous search engines simultaneously. The results are placed in an ordered list of items so that you can select which site to access with a simple double-click. For job searching, this tool is invaluable! When you search in "Job" category, duplicate job postings are grouped together in results list eliminating need to manually filter results.

As for Correlate, it allows you to organize information in a tree structure. You can group items by category and add links to perform organized searches. I use this tool for articles, books, promotions, and job searches on a regular basis. When you find a job that interests you in Copernic, you can drag-n-drop that posting into Correlate!

--- The Presentation ---

Once you locate a matching job opportunity, send them a cover letter and your resume. The cover letter should identify job you're e-mailing about as well as your qualifications to perform job. Also, provide contact information so they can reach you for an interview.

Using Correlate, or some other utility, keep track of jobs you apply for and which ones reply. This way you don't apply for same job a hundred times and you know with whom you are speaking when they contact you.

--- What's next? ---

Once you find your dream job and employer responds, don't panic! Converse with them, whether it be over phone or via e-mail, and negotiate for your position. If you land your first interview, you should be proud. It usually takes a few tries to get it right. Don't feel disappointed if it takes some time to get it right!

One thing to be aware of is that, if a recruiter contacts you, it's probably not a telecommuting position. Most recruiters only work with in-house hires and will usually not contact you again once you claim that you're a telecommuter.

Once you do land a job, now comes hard part ... staying disciplined! That's a different story, but one that's very easy to master.

Good luck!

Opera - Big Thumb Way Up! This is third most popular browser behind IE and Netscape. There is even an "Opera for Dummies" book. A sure sign that you have made it in this modern sophisticated time period of history is if they write a "for dummies" book about your product. Then you made big time! :)

This is strictly a browser that is excellent for research and for pure fun - it is full of many preset links to web sites under just about any topic. For instance, if you go to "lifestyles" under bookmarks tab it will take you to 35 different sites on subject as diverse as cooking, gardening to sites for parents and for senior citizens, etc. Then you can go to its sub headings, for instance "travel" which has about 35 sites on weather in different regions, access to hotel and airfare arrangements,etc. Or you can go to "computers" subheading and find links to sites with names like "how internet came to be", "how to fight spam", "cool site of day", "search engine tutorials" etc and then subheadings to several key categories such as technology of HTML (the code used to design web sites) and anti virus software. I could go on. Additionally, there are all sorts of features on how you can customize what you are viewing to your own preferences, none of these options are available in other browsers. Email is integrated nicely and you can import favorites from IE or from Netscape.

I would like to point out that difference between a wonderfully user friendly and helpful browser like Opera and arrogance of AOL is that with Opera you are given access to tons of web sites right from your browser window that provide you with excellent information for whatever subject you may be interested in. AOL on other hand co-opts internet into its own "channels" which are less informative, less helpful and which are presented in such a way as to make you less likely to become more interested in subject. Not to mention that it is arrogance beyond belief to try to sell customers that AOL is internet when it is a very diluted, very inferior alteration of what is available if you use a product like Opera. AOL may have limited use for someone who is just a dabbler at internet and wants everything presented to them in bite size portions. It is like Internet lite or maybe a TV dinner version of internet. Aside from fact that AOL is inferior in quality and features as regards its email and connectivity and many other things that you would use internet for.

Thumb down - Does not have ability to integrate other software products and remember passwords, etc as does IE. Tends to be a bit slow so far in my usage. There are two versions - one is free but has a big ad banner in tool bar and other is $39.

These are key players in WWW Browser game. What I do is I use IE when I am doing something where I will need to fill out a lot of forms, I use Opera for doing research and I use Enigma when I need to fly through many pages rapidly. This is best combination I have been able to develop. Maybe someday someone will come up with a single browser that serves all purposes. Hopefully it will not be Microsoft.