One of the more frequent comments on Dice articles offering job search advice -- including mine -- Is this:

You have no idea what you are talking about because you already have a job and don't understand what it's like to search for a job when you don't have one.

Well, I don't have a job. I'm out there looking. Now, I'm a consultant. I expect jobs to end. But that doesn't mean I like not having that paycheck come rolling into the bank account. And it doesn't mean I like looking for a new gig -- especially when the gig doesn't naturally flow from one to the other. That "off time" is not really vacation time. It's time to find a new job, do stuff around the house and not spend any money. Not even for umbrella drinks. Since I happen to be a job search pundit, I get to eat my own advice. I get to test it every day. Here's what I've done in the last two weeks since my gig ended -- and before, when I knew my gig would end:

Ensured My Resume Was Up-to-Date, Current and Online

So far, I've had four inquiries off of the resume on Dice -- but all for positions 90-miles from where I live. Right state, wrong community. But, I know the resume is searchable and it's getting hits.

I'm Utilizing My Business Network

Here's the deal with a business network: Tthe people in it are resources to find out information about people and places. In one instance, my resume was passed along to a hiring manager, but that hiring manager was looking for someone more technical in their IT environment. In another, I had a phone interview for a position that is not yet approved in the company that fits well with my job skills. When and if the position opens, I'm in a really good place to get the work. In yet another, I got the inside scoop on the managers running a department that I applied for. Who's good, who's not so good, and where the pitfalls lay. Finally, an offer to provide names and phone numbers of vendors who support another company, since they often hire people to work there. Too many people think the network gets you the job. No, it's the resource that gets you information. You still need to get the job and do the work yourself. But the information you get from your network can be invaluable in your search.

Interviewed With Multiple Local Consulting Companies

Since my last gig was through a consulting company, I've also interviewed with two other firms and made sure any submissions don't overlap. Not every local company is on the "A" list for every business where I live. So I try to work with different firms to match up to their "A" list as a balance to others.

I Search the Job Aggregators, Including the One Offered by my State

I don't put too many restrictions on the search, either. Mostly to the city I live in and some mileage around it. I want to scan all the jobs out there in case the employer doesn't use the same magic key words that I assume they will use when looking for a position that matches my skills. Any offers yet? Nope. But the point of this is to show how to attack looking  many different tools to find the job to make the application. Then, using my good resume and interview skills, being able to move through the interview process to get the job offer. If you don't put yourself out there across several dimensions by using different tools, you'll limit your search and your possibilities. What other ways have you looked for positions? Tell me in the comments below.