CLEVELAND -- Thousands of people in northeast Ohio are unemployed.

Scott Mattlage was one of the first in line when Cedar Point started hiring for the summer. He said, "It's been really rough. I just gotta find something else and move on."

Online Job Search

But job fairs aren't your only option.

"It's overwhelming and I think often people don't know where to start," said Bob Windle, a career advisor at John Carroll University.

He helps current students as well as alumni find work. He says the first thing to finding a job, is hit cyber space. The internet is the biggest networking event in the world. Not only can you search jobs but you can also register your e-mail and upload your resume. Some companies have Websites that allow you to input information and if the company posts a job you're qualified for, you'll get an e-mail alert.

Searching the Internet alone isn't enough. Windle said to be aggressive and don't wait for jobs to come to you. Networking is the biggest asset anyone has when it comes to job hunting.

Another strategy is to identify a company you want to work for and ask for an informational interview. Find out what they are looking for in an employee. Just have a casual conversation and then when a job opens up, you've already got one foot in the door.

Don't forget the greatest free resource is your local library. The Career Center at the Cuyahoga County Public Library's Maple Heights branch provides staff members devoted to helping people construct effective résumés, job search, and prepare for interviews.

You can also get online assistance. The information is provided by Robert Windle of John Carroll University.