StratStaff Reviews and Picks 5 Online Career Resources
Posted by matt at 5:06 am
Even with unemployment recently upgraded to 8.6%, finding a job will remain a big priority for millions of Americans. The bad news? Competition is as fierce as it ever was. The good news? Online resources available to the job seeker can extend the effectiveness of your reach and the efficiency of your search.
At StratStaff we constantly review and test these resources and have chosen five resources that job seekers should keep on their radar.
1. Linkedin
We get it. Kind of a no-brainer. That said we routinely come across talented professionals that don’t have a profile or haven’t made a conscious effort to maintain a fresh presence and stay connected. A couple suggestions to stay current? Take Linkedin’s advice for improving your profile. Connect with current and past co-workers and other professionals you network with professionally and make sure to get (relevant) endorsements. Lastly, use “Groups” to post and engage with your network.
2. Google Alerts
Check out our post on how to use Google Alerts. There’s a little bit of work on the front end, but when it’s done you’ll have another great automated online search tool.
3. Facebook Apps
There are several big players tapping the social media space but Monster’s Beknown and CareerBuilder’s BranchOut both extend the benefit of integration with the big job board’s existing job seeker resources. How does it work? Both apps access your Facebook friends for current company information and a lead on who in your network might be able to make an introduction to a hiring manager. There were some concerns initially when the apps, in a marketing attempt to spread the word, pushed invites to new user’s connections. These issues seem to have been addressed.
4. Wanted Analytic’s “The Hiring Scale“
The Hiring Scale has undoubtedly taken a cue from job aggregator’s like Indeed.com and SimplyHired.com but has added a few bells and whistles as well. Just like any job search engine, adding a position title and geographical search parameters will return postings from the web. In addition The Hiring Scale will also return relevant search results for employees for targeted companies on Linkedin and salary information for the position.
5. Mobile Apps
Job search apps created specifically for mobile give you added live-access to openings and the speed to react. With upwards of 77% of job seekers using mobile to search and apply for jobs, your mobile device might just help you land a job in 2012.
We’re always on the lookout for what’s new and what’s useful, so stay tuned for our 1st quarter picks in January 2012!
For more interview tips, trends in job hunting and employment, visit the StratStaff blog.