So you want to find a communications job. You search the job boards, remove all the references to telecommunications, sales and programming, and find perhaps two positions open. Perhaps.

A recruiter who spoke to my networking group this week said those who rely only on the job boards and aggregators (Simply Hired, Indeed) are missing a lot of opportunities. Her suggestions below are as suitable for internship hopefuls as they are for long-term professionals.

1.  Join relevant associations. Yes, some of the dues are crazy expensive when you're living on unemployment or less. But these are people who KNOW people.  Volunteer for committees, get your face and name out in the crowd. The more you mingle, the greater the opportunity that someone will be impressed with your skills. If you're broke (like me) and can't pay the fees, find a member who is willing to take you as a guest to a key function or two.

While we're on the subject, I am addressing the board members of these great associations: Give unemployed members a break on the fees! It would hurt less to offer discounts than to lose them entirely.

2) Use Hoovers, Crain's magazine, Fortune, etc. listings of "best companies" to compile a target list. Check those companies' web sites regularly. A lot of companies are cutting their recruiting costs by posting only on company sites and letting employee word of mouth do the trick.

3) Read industry-specific blogs and get to know the bloggers. They have lots of contacts, too. Comment on their articles, share ideas with them, and get a feel for what they can use. They have their ears to the ground and usually are glad to share that info with a friend in need.

4) Attend workshops and seminars that attract people in your target industries. Don't just think "communications" either. Human Resources workshops on state and federal laws or Marketing workshops are useful no matter where you land. Ask your new acquaintances what you can do for them, and they'll often return the favor down the line.

Final note: I explained Facebook to my 70-year-old father-in-law. He's been thinking about it, and told me today he finally understood it all. "Facebook is the party line for the 21st Century!" he said proudly. I think he nailed it.