It’s no secret that today’s job market is tougher than it used to be. If you’re currently looking for a new position, you need to use every tool at your disposal to keep you one step ahead of the competition. You probably already have a smart phone so that you can keep up with e-mails and other communications as soon as they arrive. That same smart phone could help you locate more leads through new job hunting apps. Whether you are looking for work in a specific industry or casting your net a little wider, iPhone and Android smart phone apps can help you cut down on the amount of time you spend looking for places to send your resume.
General Database Searches
Jobs Search is a free app that collects job postings from several different sources. When you enter your keyword, job title, location, or company. If you enter something like, “information systems security jobs,” the app will return up to 200 of the top matches for systems security openings. When you see something interesting, you can e-mail the information directly to your personal e-mail or to a friend’s e-mail from inside the app.
Good Job is a more powerful app that keeps track of local job openings, open interviews, events, and other pertinent information you need when you are hunting for a job. It costs $4.99, but it is one of the best tools for keeping you organized from the beginning to the end of your job search.
Apps that Link to Larger Websites
If you are already using one of the main job hunting sites online, you can find an app that takes those targeted searches and puts them on your phone. JobServe Connect gives you access to the extensive JobServe database. JobFinder works with the Monster.com database. Monster also has its own app, called Monster Job Search, which works as an extension of the Monster.com website. Job Search is an app that uses the Indeed database for job listings.
Industry Specific Apps
You can narrow your job search by selecting an app that offers listings from specific industries. If you are looking for a federal position, the Government Jobs app will give you information about federal job openings in your area. TechCareers is an app that offers listings in several different technical areas, from IT and networking to avionics and biomed. The TechCareers app also lists the latest news in the tech world. Anyone looking for a job in the legal industry in Asia should download the ALB Legal Jobs Centre, which lists work in countries from Australia to India.
Apps for After You get the Call
Once a potential employer has contacted you, you will want to polish your interview technique so that you stand out from the crowd. Some smart phone apps to help you practice and prepare an interview are the Interview Buddy and Interview Pro. InterviewBuddy is geared more toward people who are applying for jobs in the tech industry, and it includes some of the tricky questions tech companies like to toss into the interview process. Interview Pro is a more general collection of interview questions to help you prepare answers and avoid being caught off guard during the real interview.
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