YOUR RANT: I've done 90 percent of my search with want ads. Nothing.

911 REPAIR: Many people today put all of their job-search efforts into the want ads. It's about resumes going out by the pound to almost any job. Which reminds me of a conversation that I had with a friend, Dr. Crowley, walking around Los Angeles. Her specialty is aesthetic medicine. The conversation was hilarious as she pointed to people all around us: "She's Botoxed. They're fake. Face-lift to the left." Who knew?

Speaking of fake, you could say the same thing about much of the want ads. There are jobs in there, but many fewer than most people realize. Some jobs have already been filled, but, for legal reasons, they must be advertised. There are ads run by headhunters to collect resumes for their next search, etc. The want ads should be a part of every job search, just not the only strategy you rely on. Below, I've outlined a more comprehensive approach using the text-message shorthand YSAN, as in You're Such a Nerd (and you are if 90 percent of your search has been through job boards). For more, check the following.

YELLOW PAGES: Yellow pages? Are you kidding? No. I realize that is what many of you are thinking, but going directly to companies in your community is one of the most reliable ways to get a job. Unlike sending out a resume to a company that you have no idea who they are or what they really do, with the Yellow Pages, you can do some homework. Also, pay attention to the companies that run ads in your local papers; they could be prospects.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Most of us see a job search as a solitary venture, but one of the most effective ways to find employment is to create a support group of other job seekers. The goal isn't to whine and complain, but to learn from each other. Not only can you share leads and role-play together; you can keep each other motivated by reporting back on a regular basis about how you're doing. Finally, other laid-off people can often provide more support than spouses or friends who haven't been.

ADS: In addition to job boards, there are plenty of projects out there that need to be completed. Remember, every time a company lays people off, they still often have certain assignments that must get done. Check out the want ads in your local newspapers, and visit Web sites like Guru.com and iFreelance.com.

NETWORK: Most people think that networking is just giving your business card to people on the bus and at family gatherings, and that has gotten people jobs. But far more frequently, people get hired by staying in touch with people they've worked with or for. People who can vouch for what you can do, because they've seen what you've done.

Keep your job search varied, and it will have real results; you'll end up getting hired.