I've maintained a continuous job search, even in times of good solid employment...because experience in the industry has taught me how quickly things can change. A wise man once said that none of us is ever truly more than a step removed from the street, and I've taken that to heart. Even when comfortably employed (is there really such a thing in aviation?), I send out resumes, make contacts, call, write, fax, mail. I continue to interview...I never want to be left hat in hand when the bottom falls out.
I respecfully turn down a lot of good jobs as time goes on, try to grow in some way from the interaction, gratefully remind myself that I'm still marketable...and keep on searching.
I'm getting more lazy with the passage of time. Now, I get more than enough interview offers (and sometimes job offers, as a result) just from Climbto350 and Trade A Plane (uh-huh). I've been very slack with other sources merely because I've had no shortage of responses from climbto350. I've been hired a couple of times right out of that site, and in the past six months, have averaged a little over an offer a month as a result.
I suppose one might see it as a ripoff. I used it when it was free, now I pay a nominal fee for it. I don't remember what it is that I pay, but it's very, very little. I like the ability to click once and send my resume and details to an employer. I like the format my resume appears and the simplicity of updating it. I've had no troubles at all with the company, of which I'm aware.
I don't believe the owner of the site merely gathers jobs from other sites and posts them. Each job offers the opportunity to submit a resume electronically to employers who have requested this option, and who do read the resumes and respond. While it's true that prudent employers advertise in many venues for pilots (and consequently the jobs appear on several sites and publications), the jobs advertised on climbto350 have been advertised there by the employers. Submission of resumes is solicited by the employers who advertise there, on climbto350.
I'll fly a trip tomorrow for an operator with whom I connected because of climbto350...and a days pay from that employer will pay a number of years worth of subscription to that site. Pretty good trade for me. I've had good results, no compaints (other than there seems to be a sharp drop in the number of jobs just lately), and I plan on continuing to use the site. It's a little like fishing; it's a good hole where I've had plenty of nibbles and a few good bites, and at least two decent fish that were worth keeping...cheap fishing, good fish...do what you feel is best.
