Things have gotten more complicated since the last time I was on the job hunt. With so many communication tools, social media platforms, and old-fashioned personalities to contend with, it’s hard for today’s new graduates and job seekers to know the best way to get in touch before, during, and after the job interview.

Should I call? Is snail mail a waste of time? Does anyone even have a fax machine anymore? Would it be creeper stalkerish of me to send an unsolicited message via LinkedIn, or to Tweet a potential job contact?

To help answer these and other job search conundrums, Rob Hellmann, vice president of The Five O’Clock Club, a career development agency, offers this tech-etiquette advice:

Snail-mail still rules for resumes. Surprised? Here’s why, according to Hellmann: Business people get too much email and spam these days to pick your message out of the pile. Plus, most people feel less guilty hitting “delete,” than throwing a letter into the trash. Plus, he adds: “Snail mail allows you to take advantage of paper quality, résumé design and appealing typefaces so that the package you are sending is more like a printed marketing piece than a quick solicitation.”

As someone who hates physically opening mail (as I suspect many people do nowadays), I say double-up your efforts. Send the hard copy, wait a couple of days, and then e-mail it along, too. Just don’t be like: “Hey, I sent my resume, why didn’t you call me yet?”

For following up, go with e-mail. You’ve sent your letter and resume, and hopefully, had a conversation in person or on the phone. Now it’s time to shoot over a “hey, remember me?” message.  That’s because e-mail is generally viewed as acceptable for communication after a meeting, says Hellmann. Of course, thank-you notes should still get the old-fashioned mailing treatment. (Even those with a mail aversion like me like opening those!)

When e-mailing, keep this tip in mind: “Spend just as much time crafting your e-mail as you would a traditional letter,” says Hellmann. But, don’t write a novel. “E-mails are often scanned or read quickly, and they are easily misinterpreted. Many readers pay less than 100 percent attention and seek the key words or phrases, so they miss a nuance or a key point.”

Be careful when using your phone to communicate. That goes for those of us hooked on Blackberrys, iPhones, and other smart phones. Here’s why: “The typical mobile message has at least two typos in it because it’s composed in a hurry, and in quick reaction to an inbound e-mail. And the tone tends to be terse or glib and subject to misinterpretation,” says Hellmann. Of course, using your cell for a regular call is bad news, too, since service isn’t always high quality. That’s why Hellmann advises to never use your cell to do a phone interview. “The interviewer could easily miss words, lose the tone of your voice or not hear your emphasis on a critical question. And you may not be able to communicate energy or enthusiasm without shouting.

LinkedIn is good, but it won’t do all the work for you. LinkedIn should definitely be on your list of job searching strategies, says Hellmann. However, he says: “For LinkedIn to work, someone has to contact you. Use these passive techniques and then get on with your real search.”

What do you think — good advice? Have you made any techno faux pas during your job hunt? Or, do you have a techno tip that works for you? Please share your thoughts below.

-Dawn Papandrea

Burning the midnight oil has taken on a new meaning in education.

If you’re looking to return to school, you’ll find that technology has enabled people to learn at all hours. And a couple of schools are taking the extra step of offering live instruction late at night.

Three of Bunker Hill Community College’s classes this spring – Principles of Sociology, College Writing II, and Human Growth and Development – start at midnight and end at 2:45 a.m.. The school, which first introduced the late-night learning courses during the fall, says it’s the newest college phenomenon (each course costs $378, for in-state residents). Welding classes at Clackamas Community College in Oregon have run from 10 p.m.-2 a.m., too.

Hospital workers, a taxi dispatcher and other students who work at night and then come to school were in Wick Sloane’s College Writing I class at Bunker Hill in the fall.

Psychology student Nicholas Palmarozza, who fit in the class after working evenings at a bookstore, told the Associated Press: “I was certainly surprised that they were having a class at that time of night, but it just kind of resonated with me.”

But even if the schools you’re looking at aren’t extending class times past traditional hours, there’s ways that you still can end up learning all night long. Some college student learning centers and labs are open 24 hours a day, allowing students to gather to study and work on projects at all hours.

With technology, some professors end up responding to students via e-mail, Facebook, instant messaging and Twitter late at night and in the wee hours of the morning. It doesn’t just happen in online programs, but also in traditional classroom setups where in the past the only time to talk to a professor was in set office hours.

And that’s been the challenge, especially for students trying to earn a degree and work part-time or full-time – finding the time for class and to understand the material by chatting with students and professors about the subject.

If you’ve tried college in the past but found it didn’t fit into your life at that point, maybe these changes could encourage you that it’s — literally — never to late to learn.

-Lori Johnston

Whether you have the “luck of the Irish” or not, it’s possible for you to make your own career luck by pursuing education in a field that excites you.

Yes, having a job these days if something to be proud of, with so many layoffs that have caused people to head back to school.

But if you dread going to work or are no longer getting the job fulfillment you desire, you can do something about it.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are three steps to get out of a career rut and onto a new path. And maybe it will be profitable just like that mythical pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!

1. Research potential jobs and what degrees are needed.

If you’re bored in your current situation, look at what better paying and more fulfilling jobs may be on the horizon for you with the U.S. Department of Education’s list of the top 50 in-demand occupations. Topping the list: registered nurses.

Maybe a job that pops up on that list is something that’s always been in the back of your mind, like being a teacher or an electrician, and seeing those professions on the list could fuel your desire to go back to school and earn a degree in that field.

2. Find a program that fits your schedule.

Online programs are growing in number, and you’ll also find programs that offer only weeknight or weekend classes, allowing you to stay in your job while getting the education you need for your new career.

And even the length of the program is something to consider. Some career fields only require short-term study to break into them.

And some schools have created programs specifically for certain age groups, like women over 30, and single moms.

3. Look into financial aid sources.

The $787 billion economic stimulus bill passed last year includes $1.7 billion for adult employment services. The government offers an overview of things non-traditional students should consider about college and an overview of the financial aid options. If you’ve been laid off, you can continue to collect unemployment benefits if you’re pursuing college and vocation programs and receiving federal and state aid, USA Today says.

As you join the St. Patrick’s Day celebration today, remember to make your own career luck, too!

-Lori Johnston
Additional reporting by Delaney Young

Last weekend’s Academy Awards ceremony weren’t just about seeing George Clooney and other hot stars, but it had teachable moments that went past the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and spotlighted people breaking barriers in their career fields.

Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow’s win in the best director category, for “The Hurt Locker” (also the best picture winner), made her the first woman director to win an Academy Award in the 82-years the Oscars have been awarded. As Barbra Streisand said before announcing her name: “The time has come.”

She could have easily thought that directing has been a man’s world so she shouldn’t pursue that career field. But we love that her win shows that if you don’t fit the stereotype of a career, you can still succeed.

Bigelow told reporters: “I’m very grateful if I can inspire some young, intrepid, tenacious male or female filmmaker and have them feel that the impossible is possible, and never give up on your dream.”

And Mo’Nique, who typically has been seen in comedic roles, wasn’t scared to take on the dramatic role of an abusive mom in “Precious,” which ended up winning her the Oscar for best supporting actress. In fact, all the acting prices were giving to first-time winners, which is inspiring to see.

Think about how these examples could apply to your career choice. Maybe you don’t think you have the look of a fashion designer or someone in the animation field. Or maybe you’re looking at an industry where genders or minorities have typically not been leaders.

As composer Michael Giacchino, whose original score for “Up” won the Oscar in that category, said in his speech: “If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It’s not a waste of time. Do it.”

To get started in a new field — no matter how unconventional it may seem — you’ll feel more confident once you develop your talents. Start researching educational programs near you.

-Lori Johnston

Unemployment is through the roof and the economy is in the toilet. In a job market like this, you can’t afford to be lackadaisical in the job search process. While a top-notch resume, cover letter, and interview (followed by a thank-you note) are critical, there are a few other to-knows that can take you from the bottom of the barrel to the top of the heap. Check out these college career directors’ tips, compiled by CityTownInfo.com, on how to survive and thrive in today’s competitive employment environment.

Be assertive.
“Students should know better than to go to a career fair and directly ask an employer what kind of job they have for them. It’s much better to introduce themselves to employers and tell them what they are studying and what they are interested in career-wise. Students need to take control of their own career development.”

–Len Konarski, director of career services and internships at the University of Massachusetts Boston

Get an internship.
“For two-thirds of open positions in a company, HR will look at internship candidates first to see if they will make a good match before they post the position publicly.”

–Rebecca Patten-Lemons, director of career services at Ivy Tech Community College – Central Indiana

Keep your network wide open.
“Sociologist Mark Granovetter calls networking ‘the strength of weak ties’ and states that many weak ties can be more beneficial than a few strong ones because they bring forward new information and ideas, and more opportunities. It is important for students to consider their network beyond their friends and the people they go to school with.”

–Tonya Britton, program manager, Workforce, for the business and social sciences division at Lone Star College-Montgomery

Do some digging.
“The current statistic is that about 80 percent of jobs are not actually posted anywhere. They are found by talking to people who know people, who know about open positions, also known as ‘the hidden job market.’”

–Megan Hill, associate director of career networks at the University of Kansas’ University Career Center

Make connections at work.
“It is important for new employees to ask co-workers to go out to lunch or to take a coffee break rather than eating lunch alone at their desk. It’s not always about work; forging better interpersonal relationships with people across an organization is ultimately going to benefit people with career advancement.”

–Becky Ross, director of the Twardowski Career Development Center at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Remember that there’s more to life than work.
“If someone who values family and personal life chooses to be a lawyer, they may not by very happy with their career, especially early on. It is extremely important to have a balance between the two, and I think the mentality of the entire United States population is becoming more focused around work, work, work. This recession has helped people realize that there needs to be a balance, and life isn’t just about work, work, work because people don’t know how long work might be there; they have to take care of their personal lives too.”

–Michael Doty, director of the University of Texas at Dallas Career Center

Great tips, right? Be sure to read the full Q&As with these and other college career center directors at CityTownInfo.com.  Let us know if any of these tips have worked for you, and share some of your get-ahead strategies below in the comments.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Maybe you dream of people camping out in front of Best Buy, Wal-Mart or other stories for the newest release of a video game you helped create.

Or maybe you spend so much time playing everything from Halo Wars to Mario Kart Wii to Resident Evil 5, just a few of last year’s best-selling games, that you think you’re an expert.

Here’s more evidence that being a video game designer could be a lucrative and growing career field for you: The Princeton Review and GamePro Media this week unveiled their first-ever list of top 50 undergraduate video game design programs in the U.S. and Canada.

More colleges and universities are paying attention to this profession, and it shows that they recognize education and training are essential to being a successful game designer, not just playing a game nonstop or beating friends and strangers online.

The schools recognized stood out for their curriculum, faculty credentials, graduates’ employment, facilities, career achievements, infrastructure, financial aid, and career opportunities.

So, if you imagine yourself having a hand in designing the latest games for the Wii, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, now is the time to look at schools that could train you to develop the newest Wii Fit, NCAA Basketball (think of March Madness fever), Call of Duty or Madden NFL games.

So who is No. 1? That’s the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. GamePro notes that the school’s Interactive Media Division has helped launched careers of graduates who are well known in the indie gaming arena.

Others rounding out the top 8 are on both coasts. They are: DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, Wash.), Drexel University (Philadelphia), Becker College (Worcester, Mass.), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.), The Art Institute of Vancouver (Vancouver, B.C.), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, Mass.), and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Mass).

Schools like Becker, which is 4th on the list, graduated their first class in the Game Design and Game Programming departments just last year, according to GamePro.

That shows that more schools are likely to be adding these programs, so it’s definitely worth asking if you’re interested in a school that doesn’t currently offer game design or other degrees.

Ready to play? Check out our info on salaries and job descriptions for game designers. That combined with the Princeton Review’s list of top programs could set you on the path to turning a pastime into an action-packed career.

-Lori Johnston

Now that the flame is extinguished at the Olympics, some athletes will disappear from Olympic competition. Some head off to college. Others resume previous careers, and others pursue fields that may be related to or completely different from their sport.

Many former Olympians appear on TV as commentators and broadcasters during the Olympics or world championships for their sports. Check out some of the gold-medal careers some past medalists are doing now…

Eric Heiden

Photo: heidenorthopaedic.com

The speed skater, who earned five gold medals in the 1980 Winter games, earned his medical degree from Stanford University and now is a Park City, Utah-based orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine.

And, he’s not the only Olympian who has gone into orthopedics. Figure skater Debi Thomas, who won a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympics, is an orthopedic adult reconstruction specialist at UAP Clinic’s Bone and Joint Center in Terre Haute, Ind.

What you can learn: The training offered by orthopedic schools prepares people for employment in the in-demand field as orthopedic surgeons, typically after 14 years of education, as well as orthopedic technicians, who measure, fabricate, and fit orthotic appliances.

Phil and Steve Mahre

The twin brothers and alpine skiers (Phil won the gold and Steve won silver at the 1984 Games in the slalom) run the Mahre Training Center Ski Camps in Deer Valley, Utah.

What you can learn: The Mahres remained in a sport they loved but used it to pursue a business, which is something you can do by taking small business management classes to turn your passion into a entrepreneurial success.

Jim Craig

The goaltender for the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team that upset the Soviet Union in the semifinals runs Gold Medal Strategies, a promotions and marketing firm in Boston. He’s worked with companies including Coca-Cola, Dunkin’ Donuts, John Hancock, Time Inc., Walt Disney and Welch’s.

What you can learn: Craig’s focus on marketing and promotions now, in addition to his speaking engagements, may make you consider the career opportunities available in marketing and advertising through advertising schools.

Dan Jansen

Photo: Dan-Jansen.com

The speed skater, whose sister passed away from leukemia just before he competed in the 1988 Olympics, claimed the gold in the 1994 Olympics. He now is founder of the Dan Jensen Foundation, which benefits victims of leukemia and their families, and serves as a motivational speaker and sports commentator.

What you can learn: Jansen’s ability to speak to organizations and groups could encourage you to improve your public speaking skills while enrolling in management programs to lead businesses.

Peggy Fleming

The figure skater who won the gold medal at the 1968 games in Grenoble, France, owns Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery with her husband in California. Like Jensen, she’s also provided TV commentary on figure skating and has speaking engagements with organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Hallmark, and American Express.

What you can learn: Wine schools capitalize on the continued popularity of wine in the U.S., and could make you a wine expert to eventually own your own winery or assist customers in wine stores, restaurants and luxury resorts.

Michelle Kwan

The figure skater who won a silver at the 1998 Olympics and a bronze in the 2002 Olympics, earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies with a minor in political science from the University of Denver and entered the international affairs programs at Tufts University, according to People magazine.

What you can learn: Pursuing the education from international business schools and global management schools are a must if you plan to do business or work for a company with a global mindset.

Now that we’ve looked at past Olympians, do you have any suggestions for careers some of the 2010 Olympians could do once they retire from the Games?

—Lori Johnston
Additional reporting by Holly Hess, Robert Inskip, and Melanie Turner