I have recently become unhappy with my current job and where I live so I am wanting to move. I do not like job sites (Monster, CareerBuilder, Dice) because there is alot of spam and jobs that are not relevant. I am still working on a high end certification but I need to build experience for it which means I need somewhere I can learn and will help with career goals. I have some experience and plenty of certifications as it stands so I am qualified.

What would be a good place to look for jobs to start a real career? I also want to move somewhere it does not snow so southern USA would be perfect. I have set a time limit goal for myself and applied to few specific companies, but they did not have openings specific to what my focus is. I am focused on information security and am stuck in a dead end job going nowhere which is why I want to get out.

Others can use this thread for the same type of discussion if there is anything to add.

The best jobs are never advertised anyway. Especially in networking/hi tech fields. It's all in the People Networking. Talk to anyone that you know in your industry about any opportunities in the field you want to work in. Linked In can help with this. It is the Facebook for the Career Minded. (take away here is never post anything on Linked In that you do not want to explain to a hiring manager) Also, having your Resume on Monster and Dice and the others means people can find your resume and contact you. Most of the job fillers I know don't even create the ad, they just search the resume databases.

Also, do not be afraid to apply for a job that seems out of reach. Most people put down a shopping list of every possible trait, but really only need two or three competencies.

I have been applying to jobs even requiring more experience as you recommend. I don't really know anyone to use LinkedIn and those job sites have the problem of I get so much spam mail from them which are not even real jobs so it gets a bit annoying which is why I have been trying to avoid them.

Attending events of various sorts and talking to people there is always a good idea. Make sure to get their info cards so you can call them!

That's the whole point of using Linked In, that you can connect with people in your industry that you don't already know. I have had 4 job opportunities come from people I did not know who saw my profile on Linked In.

Just like Facebook, you can go in and filter your email to limit what you get. Now, I only get emails if someone actually sends me a message.

I admire you for acknowledging you are unhappy and being willing to want to take a next step. Following what CCNA said here, I applied for everything so long as it was something I would want to do. There were jobs that ranged from being a paleontologist at the Smithsonian (definitely not qualified for), to working at a bookstore somewhere with a climate that agreed with me more (qualified for). You have to set limits for yourself to be able to weed out locations you wouldn't want to work, or job types you just wouldn't want to do. I'm very much the type to do what I love. I'm certainly doing that now.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you know what you WANT to do as a career and you know where you would want to live to perform that career happily, I would just apply to every company available that fits that criteria whether you're qualified or not. Networking is important, so I would use Linked In if you don't know anyone or as previously stated, go to events. If anything, you should feel more confident that you at least took even more steps in the direction of accomplishing your goal. That was always enough for me to feel a little better working at the job I didn't like. Don't be afraid to go out of your way to find someone to just ask for advice that's in the field you want to be in. That's hugely beneficial if you can do it. I wish you a lot of luck though because ive been in a similar position before.