By Diwata Fonte

IN TODAY'S TIGHT job market, finding employment is much trickier than asking Jeeves or searching Google.com. Of course, you'll want to check your local want ads and bug your friends, but sometimes you need personal and focused attention – especially if you're not fluent in résumé speak. Problem is, most career-counseling sessions can be costly. When you're unemployed, the last thing you can afford to do is splurge hundreds of dollars on career-assessment testing or a Ph.D.'s half-hour session.

Here's a list of places in San Francisco that provide free career help. Now you can keep your savings in the bank or, better yet, spend it on new lucky underwear for your next interview.

Experience Unlimited is a "job club" for experienced professionals and has more than 90 members. You must volunteer 16 hours a month in exchange for facility access, job assistance, networking opportunities, and advice from weekly guest speakers. E.U. assigns volunteers to departments such as marketing or programming. Little-known fact: volunteers who run the workshops seem to get placed first. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 745 Franklin, S.F. (415) 771-1776.

Glide Foundation Training and Employment Services works mostly with low-income, unemployed, welfare-to-work, and displaced workers, but it doesn't turn anyone away. However, all participants must be clean and sober for a minimum of 90 days. The Jobs Now program specializes in employment placement services. Other special programs provide training in construction and technology. Also, job seekers may set up e-mail and voice mail accounts for job-related activities. Don't worry about its association with Glide Memorial Church. Volunteers say they like to keep "church and state separate." Registration Mon.-Fri., 9-11:30a.m. and 1-4 p.m., 330 Ellis, Suite 610, S.F. (415) 674-6150.

The Job Forum of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce organizes weekly open discussions of job-searching options. The 51-year-old service gives job seekers an opportunity to meet Bay Area panelists from the business and nonprofit sectors. There's a chance for personal attention, too, as panelists like to adapt each forum to the audience members. No appointment is necessary. Wed., 6:30-8:30 p.m., 235 Montgomery, 12th floor, S.F. (415) 392-4520.

One Stop San Francisco streamlines the career search by combining employment and training programs with city services. Boasting three career centers in San Francisco, all of which offer one-on-one assistance, group counseling, and workshops, One Stop San Francisco is devoted to helping everyone get a job. Programs offered include job development and training services, self-directed or supervised career help, training programs through the City College of San Francisco, vocational rehabilitation, housing services, mental health services, and legal advice. Intensive services are available for the especially job-averse. Career Link Centers also provide free access to copiers, telephones, and fax machines in the resource centers. Internet services support access to private, local, and statewide jobs.

• Career Link Center – Mission is the flagship of the one-stop centers. Its "full-service" career help offers advice on everything from résumés to organizational skills. Since it's the largest one-stop site, computer facilities are not as crowded. The staff helps with Internet searches. Clients can also apply for food stamps and MediCal there. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 3120 Mission, S.F. (415) 401-4800.

• Southeast Career Link Career Center's staff members describe the center as an employment agency without the snobby prescreening. They'll help the homeless, destitute, and vulnerable. Come during afternoon hours to avoid the morning crowds. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 1800 Oakdale, S.F. (415) 970-7762.

• Career Link Civic Center is the San Francisco One Stop system's newest site. It provides special services to economically disadvantaged job seekers, those unemployed for more than 15 weeks, veterans, and at-risk youths. No appointment is necessary for most programs, and the center offers services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Job seekers must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 801 Turk, S.F. (415) 749-7503.