Promote yourself for free (plus shipping)

One of the key factors (besides experience and dedication) to getting a job is through connections -- whether you're a fresh college grad, or an experienced HR director.

Networking is important, so get your name out there for the world to see. But it doesn't have to be expensive. I'm going to share a few things I've known to be successful:

Are you an English major? Hair dresser? A journalism major? HR specialist? Office assistant?

It's likely that whatever major you are, you will have some kind of portfolio or list of accomplishments (something more elaborate than a resume).

With the increasing user-friendliness of the Web, making an online portfolio is easier than ever. If you don't know a thing about Web design, you can use a free service like Blogger to get started.

Although it's meant for blogging, Blogger can be a simple way to list your writing samples, your design work, floorplans, essays, resume - anything, really - without knowing the first thing about html.

I found the following example created by a teacher: http://sampleportfolio.blogspot.com/

You can attach the URL to your business card so that every time you hand out a business card, your resume is included. Don't have a business card?

At a recent online job fair, I learned from a speaker session about a place called Vista Print that prints your first 250 business cards for free. They put a small advertisement for themselves on the back, but it's hardly noticeable. It's like seeing a Hallmark logo on the back of a greeting card.

They have dozens of designs to choose from that are professional and fun.

The only cost you pay is shipping ($5). Not bad for 250 business cards.

If you're a student or holding an in-between job, use your business card as a mini resume. Don't use it to promote yourself in affiliation with the company you work at.

Example for a student who is working fast food, but studying engineering:

• John Doe
• Computer engineering student
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Portfolio: johndoe.blogspot.com
• 805.555.1234 , johndoe@calpoly.edu

Or are you an HR specialist looking for a new job?

• Jane Doe
• Experienced HR professional
• San Diego, California
• Online resume: janedoe.blogspot.com
• 760.555.1234, janedoe@gmail.com

Simple enough, right?

Before posting your resume online, clean it up. The following is a free video tutorial from a San Diego Union-Tribune recruiter about dos and don'ts of resume writing. What he shares applies to any area of study.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/joblink/jobfairs/megajobs/audio/cory/index.html

He suggests the following elements of a good resume:

• Showcase your strongest points first (don't put your Burger King job at the top!)

• Make it stand out (a lot of white space, don't make it look like a novel)

• Customize it (tailor your experience to the job you're applying for - don't just make one vague resume and send the same one to every company)