Most times, they just don’t call.

So are you going to call it quits?

I know what it’s like to look for work during a recession. I was hit during the last one in the 90’s – three times in three years. It took almost a year before I got back into advertising after the last one. And to add insult to injury, I was once let go on Christmas Eve.

So what’s your job search strategy? Weekly updates on Monster? Buy a lottery ticket, while you’re at it. Your odds are just as good.

If you haven’t guessed it yet, most advertising jobs aren't’advertised.

People in our business like referrals. We don’t like taking chances on strangers if we don’t have to. We call people we know and ask for recommendations.

And there’s you with your limited contacts. What do you do to make a few (connected) friends?

I found an old Direct Magazine article written about me when I started at Campbell-Ewald (http://directmag.com/mag/marketing_creative/).The writer asked how did I get my foot in the door.

I used to call or write creative directors and ask them to look at my work to help me build a better portfolio. I wasn't asking for a job, just information. It’s a far less intimidating encounter for both sides. Turns out, not all of them were heartless. A few sandwiched me into their busy schedules.

Not all of them were kind either. At times, the criticism was harsh, but my book was stronger for it. Although, none of them had any job openings, a few referred me to places that did.

You can go the old school route and email people, but I found out job seekers are getting better responses on LinkedIn and Twitter. (They include people I've pointed in this direction.)

Join a few LinkedIn groups. Jump in on a few discussions.Then make the introductions and see who responds.

Follow people and companies on Twitter. Job listings are tweeted all the time. I just found out today that my agency has hired a few who responded to postings.

Today’s hires may be based on whom you get to know. But by all means, DON’T TURN INTO A STALKER.

I'm now on Twitter. Follow me: ProfessorAdMan. (I may know somebody who knows somebody.)