The 8 Best Online Tools For Your Job Hunt In 2021
I’ve always been a lover of history. I think the past offers something beautiful and mysterious, a connection to those who came before us and their ways. I sometimes catch myself daydreaming about what things were like many years ago. And as a career coach, I inevitably drift over to wondering what it must have been like to look for a job in the past.
Many things about the job hunt haven’t actually changed much with modern technology. Networking and developing your skills have always been integral to finding the right job. Networking, after all, is just a version of cooperation or helping one another out. These types of social supports date back to ancient times to when the stakes were much higher than a salary negotiation. Many experts believe that our social structures have not changed all that much since we were living in small communities as hunter-gatherers, fighting for survival. Networking is part of that survival process, and the desire to connect is hardwired inside all of us.
But obviously new technology has afforded job seekers infinitely more potential to optimize their searches and find the perfect job. While a select number of remote jobs posted in 2020 were location-specific, 80% were available to workers in any location.
This is almost such a no-brainer that I didn’t include it. But then I had a thought: how many job seekers are really utilizing LinkedIn to its fullest? LinkedIn offers some amazing features that may not be known to most users.
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For a lot of people, LinkedIn is kind of a weekly check-in type of site. You might log on, scroll a bit, give a quick “like” to your middle school friend who got promoted, check your messages, do a casual job search, then migrate over to something more stimulating, like a Buzzfeed listicle or the latest celeb gossip.
To start, did you know that you can add media to the “Featured” section of your profile? Creators, I’m looking at you. Maybe you’ve done a killer brand video, or you want to share a reel of media appearances you have made. Or perhaps a photo from a keynote you made at a conference.
Most people who are doing job searches on LinkedIn just plug in relevant keywords and locations. But the search features on LinkedIn have much more to offer. You can save searches and set up alerts for relevant postings.
If you feel that searching for jobs on LinkedIn is turning up results that are too general, don’t match your specific skills and desires or don’t relate to your connections, you can utilize the LinkedIn advanced search features to filter for much more precise searches for listings.
Even if you treat LinkedIn as your first and last stop in your job search journey, it is worth spending a little more time on the site to really get comfortable with the ins and outs. It can truly be your most valuable online tool.
Glassdoor is another immensely valuable asset to anyone in the job search, and I absolutely loved my recent interview with their CEO right here. This tool is especially useful when researching potential jobs and employers, or when entering into the interview stage and considering offers with a certain company.
If you are unfamiliar, Glassdoor is a database for jobs listings and applications, as well as a portal where current and former employees can anonymously rate their experience in working for a certain company across many metrics, and provide information like salary and potential interview questions. Through analysis of this data, Glassdoor creates ratings and metrics on specific companies.
If you are interested in the company culture, revenue or size of a potential employer, or you are looking for an inside perspective on what it’s like to work for a certain company, Glassdoor should be your first stop.
In recent months, Glassdoor has also risen to the challenge of addressing the very pressing issue of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. With new products and features, Glassdoor has begun allowing users to share demographic information and rate a company based on its handle of issues of diversity within the workplace.
This is such an essential issue, and Glassdoor is a leader in creating greater transparency and accountability when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion in the job search and in the world of work.
If you’re reading this article, I have a feeling you’re someone who has put a lot of time into your resume. But did you know that often, when you’re applying for a job, your resume may not even make it to a real person?
This is because many recruiters and hiring managers are utilizing an application track system (or ATS). In my recent book You Turn, I actually refer to applicant tracking systems in a header called “Applicant Tracking Hell”—and there’s a reason for this! Navigating the ATS is challenging, and knowing your resume may never even encounter a human being is disheartening. As a matter of fact, data shows that up to 75% of resumes never make it to a hiring manager.
You may have done a great job of highlighting your professional experience on your resume, but you’re just using the wrong words or formatting. This is where Jobscan comes in. Jobscan uses algorithms and AI to scan your resume and compare it to a specific job listing, giving you feedback on how to best tweak your resume to work well with an ATS.
- Descriptions of your work experience do not match up to the job descriptions. Even if you are super qualified, if your resume doesn’t match up with keywords in the job description, you could be preemptively disqualifying yourself. I tell job seekers in my online courses to make sure they sprinkle terminology from job descriptions as though it’s fairy dust throughout their resume. Sprinkle away!
- You’re not using standard formatting. While clever and inventive ways of formatting your resume may show off your aesthetic acuity, and your creativity with design, they may also prevent your resume from making the ATS cut. Non-standard formatting can confuse the AI, and lead to your resume being processed incorrectly, or not at all.
- Too much flowery language. You may think that using headings like “Selected Professional Engagements” and “Secondary School and Collegiate Alma Mater” makes you sound smart. But, I hate to break it to you, complicated and word descriptions are not working in your favor when it comes to ATS. Stick with standard headings that will ensure that the ATS processes your resume correctly. Think: “Work Experience” and “Education.”
Social media resources
Professional networking opportunities: Professional networking sites connect industry professionals to candidate-seeking employers. Create an account on one or more of these sites and include a professional bio, resume and cover letter. If the site has an “open to recruitment” option that notifies employers of your availability, make sure you activate it for the best results.
Job notifications: Companies often use their online presence to post available job openings and information about how to apply for an opportunity. If you are interested in working for a specific company, follow them on their social media platforms. You will not only learn more about the company, their values, culture and purpose, but you could also find job openings ahead of candidates who don’t follow them on social media.
Top 12 Job Search Apps for 2022
1. Indeed Job Search
You can also save jobs to your account through the app and then access them again through your computer. This can be ideal if you want to make sure your resume is tailored. Otherwise, you can submit your Indeed Resume using the app, allowing you to apply immediately.
However, it’s important to note that the job search process can be a little clunky through the app (and on Indeed’s website, to be honest). The filters may reset after you close and reopen the app, which is inconvenient. Additionally, you may see positions that aren’t highly relevant to your criteria in the results, which is a bit annoying.
2. CareerBuilder
Another job search app from a major job board, the CareerBuilder job search app has a lot to offer. Once you create an account, you can craft and update customized resumes fairly easily, allowing you to apply directly from the app.
Additionally, you get access to some job search notification options to allow you to stay on top of new openings. The app is also AI-powered, allowing it to figure out which opportunities are actually in your immediate area (or within a set distance). You can even use AR to learn about jobs. The app will give you information as you pass by area companies, which is pretty cool, or you can use a map mode to see what’s around.
Additionally, some users have received messages from “companies” that seem to be scams. While this isn’t a CareerBuilder-specific issue, as it can happen with any site where employers can message you directly even if you haven’t applied to a job with them, it puts a spotlight on how important vigilance and a bit of skepticism can be.
3. Glassdoor
It is important to note that Glassdoor’s app does fall short in a couple of areas. You can’t fill out applications using your smartphone, which is a bummer. Additionally, the app’s design takes a little time to get used to. Some users find it overwhelming and confusing at first, though it is possible to get the hang of it.
4. Snagajob
You can create a profile using information from Facebook, which can speed things up a bit, though you can also do it entirely from scratch. Once your profile is ready, you can use filters to find your ideal opportunities, including full-time, seasonal, summer-only, and part-time positions. You can narrow the results by industry or use keywords to refine the list.
Inside the Snagajob app, you’ll also find a map feature. This lets you see what’s available in your immediate area, a must for anyone who worries about their commute, needs to stay bus line adjacent, or otherwise has to take a company’s location into account.
Many of Snagajob’s listings only take a single click to apply. However, some do have a pretty lengthy application process, and it can be tricky to navigate using a smartphone. Additionally, you won’t really find high-skilled salary positions here, so it isn’t a great fit for everyone.
5. JobAware
The JobAware job search app is a bit different. It pulls listings from Indeed, so you won’t necessarily find unique openings here. However, what it does is allow you to track your activities. You can categorize opportunities into segments like “dream jobs” and “second-choice jobs.” Additionally, you can file jobs based on where you are in the process, like “applied” or “interviewing.”
6. LinkedIn
The quintessential social media site for professionals also has a handy app that can help you nail your job search. Not only can you network, read about emerging trends, and update your profile, but you can also use it to search for opportunities.
One of the benefits of using LinkedIn’s app is that you may be able to submit your profile (in lieu of a resume) when you apply for a position. Since your LinkedIn profile can hold more information than you’d usually list in a resume, it may take less time to ensure your application targets the role.
Plus, you can get push notifications, take advantage of your InMail box, and reach out to area recruiters with ease. Just keep in mind that LinkedIn isn’t always a go-to job ad source for some companies, so it may only contain a fraction of what’s available in your area. Additionally, it leans professional, so it may not work as well for all careers or entry-level opportunities in some industries.
7. Simply Hired
Simply Hired is a job search aggregator, meaning it collects information about open positions from all over the internet. It was acquired by Recruit Holdings, the company that owns Indeed, in 2016. However, Simply Hired does list more than what you find on Indeed alone.
By and large, the app is search-based, so you do have to work to find relevant positions instead of having them sent straight to you after you choose some criteria. At times, you can apply right through the app. In other situations, you may be shuttled off to the job posting’s original source website, which is a bit cumbersome. However, Simply Hired is a great information source overall.
Resources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2021/02/09/the-8-best-online-tools-for-your-job-hunt-in-2021/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/job-search-tools
https://theinterviewguys.com/job-search-apps/
https://theinterviewguys.com/job-search-apps/
https://www.mapertunity.com/blog/jobs/job-search-tools-strategies-and-techniques/