It was gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson who said: "When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro."

When it comes to your job search in this sluggish, war-time economy, you might try this advice: When the going gets tough, the tough get weird.

In other words, be daring. Different. Zig when other job seekers are zagging.

Here are four ways to get "weird" -- and more importantly, get hired -- by being unconventional in your job search ...

1) Seek The Path Less Followed
Everyone advises you to post your resume on leading sites like Monster.com and HotJobs.com. And there's nothing wrong with that -- my clients have been hired using both.

But don't forget the growing number of job postings found on niche Web sites that cater to specific industries, associations and other affinity groups.

This tactic worked for one of my clients Carla S., from Marshall, Minnesota.

"I interviewed for and got offered a great job this week after applying to openings on sites from my industry, like www.jobsinlogistics.com and www.careersinfood.com," says Carla.

If you follow Carla's lead and focus your search on sites that appeal to a narrow audience, you'll likely find you have less competition for jobs that are closely matched to your qualifications. That's a win-win scenario, don't you think?

Find niche job boards at sites like www.nicheboards.com and by doing searches for keywords ("YOUR INDUSTRY + jobs") at search engines like www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, www.teoma.com and www.kartoo.com.

2) Network Backwards
One client, Jeff R. from Prior Lake, Minnesota, hit pay dirt in February by networking among contacts most people would never consider calling -- potential employers from his LAST job search.

"I emailed a manager I had interviewed with two years ago, before my latest job. He had moved to a different part of the company, but he referred me to the right decision maker. That new person interviewed me and offered me a job," says Jeff.

So don't forget to look both ways when you network - forward and back, all the way back to your college career office and internships, no matter how long ago you graduated.

3) Reject Rejection
Your response to a letter of rejection may, incredibly, get you the job, according to California-based James Adams, a career expert and former job-search consultant to the U.S. government

"I was consulted by a woman who interviewed very well for a position, but still got a letter of rejection after applying. Most people would have torn up the letter and gone on to other things," says Adams.

Instead, Adams told her to write a gracious reply, thanking the company for their time and reaffirming her strong desire to work for them.

Did it work?

"The top contender for the position had to relocate on short notice. The hiring panel remembered the letter they got from the really eager and pleasant woman who replied to their rejection letter. She got the job," says Adams.

4) Networking Begins At Home
When networking and sending out resumes, most folks tend to search far and wide for job leads. But don't overlook your own family as a potential gold mine of employment information.

One client of mine, Paul W. from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, found a job this way in accounting and financial management:

"I emailed over 100 resumes to employers and was networking seriously, eventually getting 8-10 good interviews. But it was my wife who helped me find my new job," says Paul.

His wife told her friend, who told her boss about Paul's qualifications. That wife's friend's boss offered Paul an interview, and eventually, a job. It's proof that you should leave no stone unturned in your networking efforts, even under your own roof!

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Kevin Donlin is Managing Editor of 1 Day Resumes. The 1DR writers provide same-day, one-on-one resume writing assistance. He is also author of "Resume and Cover Letter Secrets Revealed," a do-it-yourself manual that will help you find a job in 30 days ... or your money back. For more information, click here.

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