Volunteer

It's been hard to find a job these past few years. You know it, we know it, and, most importantly, the companies looking to hire you know it. Take this bad situation and turn it to the best advantage you possibly can by demonstrating that you've used the hiatus to become even more valuable to your next employer.

You don't have to be paid for your efforts to list them as work experience on your resume.

Instead of besetting hiring managers with your need for a job, demonstrate your value by approaching them with useful information.

Kitty Koenig put $100 into a ticket to a charity event and devoted time to a volunteer opportunity that followed. The SalesLadder member said the investment paid off many times over.

Can working a job without a paycheck set you up for big bucks? Job seekers who took this route tell all.

When Brian Clark needed to extend his network, he turned to volunteer work.

Do good to do well in your job search.