Dear friends,

I always have the same doubt. Please, help me clarifying this issue.
I know we have to use the gerund after a preposition. But it is not easy to know whether "to" is a preposition or part of the infinitive form. Is there a rule? Exemples:

We've compiled a list of the Top 10 Keys to succeeding in your job search.
or
We've compiled a list of the Top 10 Keys to succeed in your job search.


It is an extremely fast and effective way to find your next job or career.
or
It is an extremely fast and effective way to finding your next job or career.


Thanks a lot

There's not really a rule, no. But sometimes (not always) there's an expression without either infinitive or gerund which parallels the troublesome situation. If the parallel expression has the preposition "to" then you'll need the gerund form when you use the verb.

Example: "used to", where "to" is a preposition, not the infinitive particle.

Paul is used to hard work. He's used to working hard.

Example: "aversion to"

Jerry has an aversion to snakes. He has an aversion to working in close quarters.

Example: "reference to"

The speaker made no reference to the laws which govern this situation.
He made no reference to breaking the law.

Example: "get around to"

Sally will eventually get around to the dishes. She'll get around to washing the dirty dishes.

Example: "attention to"

The artist paid no attention to mundane details like money. He paid no attention to making a living.
___________

Nevertheless,

the keys to the safe; the keys to succeeding
AND a list of keys (for you) to succeed [clause of purpose/result]
___________

a way to the city; a way to finding a job
AND a way (for you) to find a job [clause of purpose/result]

The distinction in shades of meaning is probably clearest in this last example. You can express it more literally as a (path)way leading into the finding of a job, or you can express it as a method to be used so that you can find a job.

CJ