[dord]

Craigslist is a good place to start, but you need to be discerning. Find one that has realistic expectations for the job they are asking, and generally it's a good thing when they don't give you a price tag right up front because that means they will pay you based on what you're worth and not some arbitrary number.

My job asked a simple question, what was the title of the book written by 37signals, which reveals a lot about their perspectives. They also included enough information in the Craigslist ad that convinced me they were a technically strong company.

[vital101]

I got my current job through Craigslist as well. Their job posting was well thought out, and obviously created by a developer, not a random HR person. From start to hire, it was a 1.5 week process for me.

[vrikhter]

I actually haven't used craigslist as much. Will check it out some more.

But this still goes back to my point that craigslist, like monster and all others is a basic listing service of available opportunities. Is there anything out there, like a match.com for employers and employees?

[dord]

I'm not sure but I think what you are looking for is a network of reliable professionals who you can work for and rely on for support. Something like this, I suspect, you could try to get rolling through a service geared towards professionals, like LinkedIn, but the real answer I think would be to find your own network, or find someone who has a network and tap into them, you know, IRL :)

I met a guy through RAC last year who has projects come up every few months and knows a lot of people and it's been a great professional relationship for both of us. He's the only person in my network, and I definitely couldn't make a living from it, but it's a good start.

I guess the key to what I'm trying to say is meet people and when you find good ones hold on to them!

[vrikhter]

It wouldn't necessarily have to be geared for individuals. I think there are a ton of companies out there in the 20-50 employees that are doing well, not getting a lot of publicity, but have a tough time finding great people. As I do finding them. This is where a service like this makes sense to me.