newspaper job section is first/easiest.

in many cities, the aia keeps a file of both resumes and job postings.

word of mouth: ask around among architects/interns you meet.

if there's is an arch school nearby, go pick their brains.

start attending aia events: most have a monthly program > meet people.

also, aia website keeps a running list that can be searched.

call the offices you are interested in and ask if there are openings or if they are interested in talking. either that or send your resume and cover letter to same...

many offices don't advertise and the importance of lucky timing is unfortunately impt.

best is to use connections for intros to firms. make friends!

luck.

Nice name.
Other architects and the AIA. Go to lectures and related events and find the architect\s that you want to work with and TALK to them.

I found my first architecture job through a friend of a friends introduction. not through the internet. weird how it works out, but the best way is through networking.

much of the advice above is well taken, especially if you are looking for work in your home community.

when i've looked for work in other states in the past, i found the career center at aia.org to have the best lineup of available jobs -- it's very focused on our world and it functions quite well.

i've looked on monster.com from time to time, but it seems like the only people advertising there are recruiters

i've seen some traffic recently about a new site called "archizilla.com" - does anybody have any experience with that site yet ?

mdler is a fan of the 'lucky timing' method that jump speaks of

mightylittle is prone towards using mdlers approach which of course speaks to jumps approach.

all of my recent jobs have been acquired through unsolicited cold-calls.

word of caution - do not call your favorite firm in the first round. it takes a while to get down a good opening line. you need to acknowledge that designers are busy, but somehow be compelling enough to generate some interest.

chances are, most principals would rather have somone arrive on their doorstep than have to go hunting. it shows alot of initiative too, compared to simply waiting for the right job to pop up on monster.

it's taken me some practise, but like i said, i've been very successful with this approach.

depending on the area, craigslist is always a viable option, but it is chock full of crap, so beware. imho. surprised it wasn't the first suggestion. here in sfm there are TONS of design/arch jobs advertised there.

as always, ymmv.

what about right here on archinect? also e-architect.com

I've also had bad luck with Monster in the past. I knew it was time to move on when searches for "architect" yielded more positions for "network architects" than actual REAL architects.

Some employers (not all) will use paid advertisements only as a last resort when looking for new employees. If a company has been looking for too long to fill a position, you may have to question the attractiveness of that position.

As others have said above - use your network first. And if you talk to a hiring manager who responds favorably to you and your work but doesn't have any current openings, don't be afraid to ask if they are aware of vacancies in other firms. They just might be happy to help you out, if you show a little humility.

i looked on archzilla.
it had zero posts for portland when i looked (ok, the entire state of oregon)
too new maybe?

thanks to all who posted ... my general conclusions are that, aside from using personal networks, the career centers at "archinect" and "aia" are reasonably efficient ways to locate active job openings in architecture, with "e-architect" also a possiblity. "monster" and "archizilla" don't seem quite so productive or efficient.

i also take seriously all of the posts about networking and making direct contact with the firms one may be interested in ... however, from a time and confidentiality standpoint, those may not always be desirable options

anyway, thanks for helping me think this through !