With the internet used more often by employers in finding candidates for a job opening, how do you select which job site(s) to use?

It seems as thought everyone is using social network websites such as LinkedIn.com, MySpace, You Tube, Plaxo.com, Yahoo Groups, Netshare.com, Craigslist.com, and Facebook. The Internet has become a major source of information for job seekers. In addition to the social websites, there are also websites such as CareerBuilder, Monster and Yahoo HotJobs that list thousands of jobs. There are specialized sites for salespeople, financial positions and tech workers. Companies, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and professional associations also list job opportunities on their websites.

Among the factors you should consider in selecting a job site are the reputation of the site, how it uses information collected from employers and potential employees and how much information is released to the prospective employer. You do not want your resume misused. Verify facts about the job site and check the contact numbers and addresses. The sites will provide you with information about how they collect data, use information and their privacy policy. Most sites require that you register with them first before you get access to job information. In many cases an employer is unable to see your resume unless a fee is paid by them to use the website. Make sure that the jobsite is updated regularly to provide the latest job openings. Always be careful where you post your resume. Be professional in the presentation of information to potential employers.

Although I know it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, I am over 50 and find it difficult to find a job. How do I deal with age when applying for a job in which I know I am qualified?

It is difficult to hide your age on a resume and in person. Use age as an advantage. Have a job search strategy. In many cases it takes more than five months for someone over 50 to find a new job as compared to four months for younger people according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are jobs that require your skills and experience. You may need to use an executive search firm. These firms can be found on recruiterlink.com, onlinerecruitersdirectory.com, searchfirm.com or i-recruit.com.

You need to network with former colleagues, friends and relatives so that they know you are looking for a job. According to a Right Management Survey, 42 percent of people find a job through a networking contact. Many professional associations have job search services. Emphasize your experience, specific accomplishments, measurable results and how you would add value to an organization. Extend your search to other industries and not for profit organizations that can use your skills. Join community and not-for-profit organizations so that others recognize that age has not stopped you from actively participating in these organizations. Volunteer for leadership positions. Make sure your resume is professionally prepared so that your accomplishments are easy to recognize. Practice for interviews. The interviewer should easily pick up the fact that you welcome change. Many companies look for experienced employees.

I am interested in "moving up the organization," but at another company. Should I use an executive search firm to help me achieve this objective?

Searching for a new position is a time consuming process particularly when you are employed. The executive search firm will help you save time. These firms are used by employers in identifying candidates for middle and top management positions and by individuals seeking positions in senior management. They also will provide feedback to you on your strengths and weaknesses as a job candidate. They help you prepare resumes for different job positions, cover letters, and a marketing plan to find a job. They also help you format your resume for jobsites, recruiting agencies and employers.

The cost for these services can range from $5,000 to $25,000. These firms employ skilled specialists who assist you in these activities. The firms provide confidentiality, an extensive list of job opportunities, company evaluations based on extensive research, and negotiation experience and expertise. There are firms that specialize in particular occupations such as accounting, finance, engineering, health and hospital administration. For some positions, companies rely heavily on executive search firms to find qualified candidates.

Choose an executive search firm carefully. To get the most out of working with an executive search firm you need to understand what the agency can do for you, how to use their knowledge and who gets to see your resume. It is important to build a good relationship with the individual with whom you are working at the firm. Choose the agency that has the experience and contacts to find you the position you are seeking after gathering information and speaking to a number of search firms.

In identifying firms to interview in a particular industry, what should I look for in a company that expects to be in business for a long time?

There are many attributes of successful companies that are easy to identify. In the United States, there are more than 24 million businesses with 99.5 percent of them classified as small businesses (having less than 500 employees) and 50 percent of them as part-time businesses with one employee. For large companies, there has been a lot of consolidation in the last twenty years as a result of mergers and acquisitions with many companies disappearing. Some business publications list employee-friendly companies based on the culture of the company and the benefits offered to their employees.

Most of the listed companies have been in business for a long period of time. Many of these companies are different from those that grow 10 to 20 percent a year in sales revenue, known as "Gazelles." Successful companies revolve around their customers and employees and provide great customer service, exhibit strong core values and have an excellent reputation based on the reliability of their products and services. These companies generally place ethics; integrity and continuous improvement high are on their objectives list. They encourage individual employee initiatives as part of their culture. They are not afraid to make mistakes.

Companies fail because they misread their customers and are poorly managed. Other reasons for failure include undercapitalization, too bureaucratic, afraid to make decisions, little concern for employees and underestimating competitor's strengths. You can get information about a company's history, products and services, employee benefits and financial stability by looking at the company's annual report and website. For public companies there is financial information that can be obtained from reports filed with the Securities Exchange Commission.

In August, I graduated with a degree in computer science. I am interested in establishing a business using the internet. How difficult is to be become an entrepreneur?

Many people are starting online businesses. They are known as cyber entrepreneurs. There is a risk to starting a business when technology is its foundation. About eighty percent of new businesses survive a year, 65 percent survive two years and 45 percent survive five years. Cyber entrepreneurs make money with their websites. Entrepreneurs are risk takers, want to be independent, control their work environment, tolerate ambiguity and have a strong need for achievement. A myth of entrepreneurship is that an entrepreneur has more time to do what he/she wants, is able to write off everything, pay themselves whatever they like and be profitable immediately. Building a new business is particularly tough for a recent college graduate who may know the technical aspects of the business but not how to operate a business nor have a network of advisors.

Among the critical ingredients for success is a good management team with experience in the industry and an excellent market opportunity. Most new ventures fail because of a lack of management skill, poor timing, quality issues, low sales, underestimating competition and not enough capital. Before you start a business, you need to conduct a market feasibility study to determine what is unique about what you offer as a cyber entrepreneur and whether there will be customers to buy your product or service.

Beware of advertisements telling you that you will be earning lots of cash by starting an online business. You also need to answer the following questions: Do you have the financial resources to go without a salary for a period of time? When will the first sale occur? How much will be needed for the development of the website? You may want to start the business on a part-time basis so you have a source of income from a job and are gaining experience that may be useful to running your own business.