With phrases such as "jobless recovery" and "long-term unemployed" dominating the news of late, it's not a stretch to say many Americans are currently searching for work.
The U.S. unemployment rate for August was 9.1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In this climate, downtrodden job seekers are forced to find increasingly creative ways to approach employers -- including shelling out hefty sums for the chance to get a decent job. But does it really work?
How much would you pay to land a job, and what should you know before jumping on board one of these programs? Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular websites and programs as well as tips to consider before taking the plunge.