You may be finding yourself with some downtime these days if you're one of the many without steady work. Or if you're stuck working somewhere you hate, you may need an outlet. A blog could fill this void, give you something to focus on that you enjoy, and bonus — it could even help you get a new and better job. Showing people what you can do is an essential part of the job search process, and a blog can be tailored to do just that. We know this isn't 2007, the days when "blogging" was the pastime of the hip and the term was used un-ironically. Think about it instead as an activity in discipline, articulation, and marketing. Here are some ways to use a blog to suit your needs, and hopefully get some good returns.

Many of us bums are doing freelance writing, working on our screen plays, or trying to take over the world from a corner of our bedrooms and living rooms. Though the commute is great and office attire is unbeatable, when physical space is multi-function it's a bit harder to differentiate work-time from down-time. Unless you have the money to move to a bigger home or add a floor, consider spending some time creating separate space for your work. When creating a plan for work/everything else separation, plan on organizing your private space and re-thinking the public. The space dilemma requires a bit of a mix-and-match-as-needed approach.

Public speaking can be daunting. It may seem impossible to get over those shaking knees and cold sweats, but getting over trepidation can be extremely useful for goals like, say, getting a job. So, here’s your bum tip sheet for speaking up and not having a heart attack in the process.

Nowadays there are a staggering number of applicants for most open positions (thank you, bad economy). Don't let this fact deter you from applying, but make sure to give it your all if you're spotted in the crowd. People apply from all sorts of places and recruiters are short on time, so if you're fortunate enough to have your resume make it from the toppling pile or overloaded inbox of a recruiter onto his or her short(er)-list, you may be in for a phone interview. Though this may initially seem less intimidating, be prepared for a number of challenges.

Happy first day of summer. Remember when that meant vacation? Your life may be in a semi-vacation state, but financial stress can make it hard to relax. So get serious about your quest for financial okay-ness. You may have noticed that we haven't written about how to get a job lately. That's because it's hard. Who knew that sending your resume to a bunch of people could be so draining? You need a game plan. It probably won't be that inspiring to search job boards or do a bunch of networking. In fact, it will probably be the opposite of fun. But to get your dream job (or just any job), you have to break through your own barriers.

Doesn't it always seem that the wealthiest folks have the best luck? They're out there making deals and scoring fantastic opportunities, while you're sitting home scouring the job boards. Bummer! The truth is, you don't have to have a wad of cash to network like the pros. Try these 5 quick tips to boost your connections without breaking the bank.

So far, we've talked about websites with general job listings. Before we get to where to find jobs in specific industries, here are a few more places you may not have thought to look that may yield promising results.

While most job boards allow you to search for jobs in your area, it is often comforting to know that every job on the site you're searching is within your geographic reach. No one wants to waste time sorting through awesome jobs 1,000 miles away if there's no way to commute there. Save yourself some heartache with some job listing sites exclusive to a specific SoCal region.

There are hundreds of other job boards out there. Many are focused on specific sectors and some are just a giant free-for-all. To help you avoid wasting time on the wrong ones, we'll try to review as many as we can and add them to our various lists. This list is a constant work in progress, so to cast a wider net, and to provide a project for those of you just needing something to do, here's a whole heaping helping for you to scour and report back. We need your help!

Looking for a job is hard work. Sometimes it's almost as bad as having a job. Only it's more like an unpaid internship but without the college credit or resume-building experience. So where to look for the eviction-thwarting job you've been hankering for? It's RFB to the rescue with Part One of a series listing the job sites you know and some you don't, and tips on how to use them.