Whether you’re unemployed, tired of your current job, or seeking out something new, job hunting in an environment with a 7.3 percent unemployment rate is a daunting prospect. Instead of dwelling on the amount of job applications that ask you to upload a resume and fill out an array of annoying fields asking for the same information in an online job application, look at online job hunting resources that make the search much less painful.
Job Search Sites
Indeed is a popular job search engine that aggregates job listings from around the web, but you might be surprised just how popular it really is. PC Magazine reports that Indeed has 100 million visitors per month, which makes up more than half of the traffic searching for jobs on the Internet. It provides an easy to use interface that gives you several ways of searching for jobs, advanced search refinements, and many other options, such as setting up RSS feeds so you don’t even have to go to the main site.
Craigslist might not be as shiny and easy-to-use as Indeed or other job hunting sites, but if you’re in the right area, it has plenty of opportunities. Small, local businesses may be too intimidated to put their jobs on the main job search sites, but they post their information on Craigslist since it’s simple to post ads. The larger job sites on Craigslist, such as New York and Los Angeles, are quite active, and yield many valid leads for work.
Job Search Apps
The LinkedIn app gives you quick and easy access to the social networking and job listings LinkedIn has to offer. If you go to a networking event or end up clicking with an employer during an interview, get connected on LinkedIn to expand your network. It’s a free application for iOS and Android platforms, so there’s no reason not to add it to your list of job hunting tools.
Pocket Resume literally puts your resume in your pocket. This free iOS app allows you to always have a copy of your resume close at hand, You can also email the resume directly from your device, so you can get it into recruiters’ hands without running back to your computer.
Salary Calculators
How much you should be asking for is a question that plagues many people, especially in an economic climate such as this one. Instead of stressing out about how much to ask, use a website such as Payscale to determine what the average market value for your job title is. Payscale gives you location-specific information so it’s relevant to your area, and you can find out exactly what you should be negotiating for. Once you know the price range, either work that into your negotiations, or add in other benefits if the interviewer is not authorized to give you a raise on the base salary. You’ll be happy you went into the interview with plenty of knowledge.
