It is easy to think of the Web as a giant fishing pond. You, as the job seeker, have a certain kind of bait on your pole, and you dangle your line in hope that the right fish is out there, waiting to bite.

This is a reactive job-search strategy, where you react to postings and try to model yourself as the best candidate for the job. Sometimes that's all it takes, but a truly effective job-search campaign incorporates proactive techniques as well.

You have already begun using the Web in a proactive manner. When you research your chosen field, for instance, to find the Web sites of the top companies, you are engaging in proactive research. Maybe the company you would most like to work for has several postings that are close to what you're looking for, but nothing that you feel qualified to apply for. You plan to keep checking back, but in the meantime why not write a quick e-mail to the contact person listed for that job. Tell him or her of your interest. Explain briefly how you believe you could be a real asset to the company. Close by saying you will keep in touch, and do it.

Another proactive technique on the employment e-frontier is a twist on our old favorite, networking. Online forums and bloggers cover almost any topic imaginable. They are easy enough to search out (try Yahoo!'s e-group listing, at www.groups.yahoo.com) and to join. You may not get any job offers, but you are likely to learn a lot about your chosen field and the function you hope to perform in it.