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So you are a specialist: There are only a handful of places in the country that employ people to do your job. Then it’s time to become a bloodhound.

They don’t list rocket scientist and nuclear technician jobs on Monster. You will need to hunt around.

Here is a list of things that you can to do to start looking for that highly specialized job:

1. Find every contact you have ever known – Look for everyone you can find that has anything to do with your industry. Reach out to them and ask them if they know of a position, to keep you in mind and, if they were ever in a position to, to recommend you when the time comes.
2. Find groups to join – Professional associations, fraternal brotherhoods, even LinkedIn are all places to look for people who do what you do. If you are one of those people who never joined those groups, now is the time. They will know a job is open before their human resources department does.
3. Go to school – Most highly skilled jobs require or would benefit from ongoing training. This is also a great place to meet people in your field. Many people who take continuing education do so because their company “makes”them do it. That means they might know what’s going in their company and can tell you about jobs before they get posted.
4. Find the right employment agency – Employment agencies specialize in industries just like you do. If there is someone making left-handed widgets, there is an employment agency that specializes in placing left-handed widgets makers. Find an employment agency that specializes in your field. If they are really good at what they do, the jobs they get to fill will never see the light of day. Make sure they know you exist and that you are looking for a job.
5. Find the right boss – If you know that Acme Industries does what you do, that they hire people to do it for them and that you would like to work for them, you need to start looking for your new boss. Find the head of the department that you should be in, contact them and ask permission to keep contacting them until there is a job for you.
6. Tech up – If you don’t have a laptop and smart phone, you are going to crushed by all of those people who will be able to send their resume from their phone from the top of Mt. Rainier. Have your phone and laptop prepared and ready to help you find a job. It’s that simple. It’s not really an option and for less than $500 you can be ready to work and find work from anywhere in the world.
7. (This is big!) Keep getting up in the morning – If your job at various companies would start at 6 am, you need to get up every morning at 5 am. Take a shower, have coffee and start making calls and sending email at 6 am. Get to everyone before their day gets hectic. You have a new job: Finding a new job. When you’re unemployed, your boss sucks!

Those are just some ideas. If you have more, please be sure to post a comment here and share what you have learned with other people.