Whether you've just begun to look for a new job or have been at it for months, there must be some tools you are using along the way. What are your favorites?
Such as…
Some of the tools that come to mind are:
- Computer software, like Microsoft Word for resume writing
- Websites you visit regularly, such as job boards or online tools such as Gmail
- Books or e-books that you've found really helpful
- Sandwich boards for getting attention on the street
And I'm only half-kidding about the last one.
In the comments below or via the JobMob contact form, please share your favorite job search tools even if you're not actively job hunting.
Why are these your favorites? What's so good about them?
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After your examples, I’m not exactly sure what falls under the heading of “Tools”.
I would suggest that one of the most import “tools” an individual could have when they are activily looking for other opportunities is a spreadsheet.
You need to keep control of your search and need to track what you’ve done including: Who you have contacted and spoken with, where you’ve sent your resume, interviews you’ve had…
This is easily done by setting up a spreadsheet to record all of the information.
You should also keep market information as to which companies you might be interested in and contacts at those companies.
I should make one last point as to why you need to keep this information, if you are my candidate and I ask you if you have spoken with or contacted ABC company, you need to be able to tell me. If you tell me no (even if you forgot) and I find out you have, you lose my help forever.
Remember, getting a job is often a job itself. Treat it that way.
Thanks and good luck,
Todd Porter
H.T. PROF Executive Search
H.T. PROF ISRAEL
http://www.htprof.co.il
p.s. That sandwich board thing might be a good idea. I’ve thought about putting one on my son to advertise my business.
Thanks for that, Todd. When you mention “market information”, can you be more specific?
In my loose definition, a tool is anything that helps you reach your goals. Or – anything that makes you more effective with it than without.
I also liked “getting a job is often a job itself”. So true.
“market information” to me is market intelligence.
You should build a list of companies you might want to work for. These could be HOT companies with sizzling products or those that have just received funding. They could be those companies that are specific to your expertise or the ones that are geographically close to you.
You can then start trying to find connections to these companies (i.e. Linked IN) and reach out to them.
As a recruiter, we have jobs and look for people. The exception is when we work with an individual we consider to be a MPC (Most Placeable Candidate).
These are individuals employed, in that top 20% of the 20/80 rule, not posted on the Internet, willing to consider other opportunities.
When we work with these individuals, we ask them to provide us a list of 10 companies they would like to work for. This is the target list, we start with, to uncover opportunities.
I suggest individuals looking for their next opportunity should start in a similar matter.
Probably more information than you wanted.
Thanks,
Todd Porter
H.T. PROF Executive Search
H.T. PROF ISRAEL
http://www.htprof.co.il
JobCentral.com gets my vote! I love the idea of searching the Careers section of company websites from one form. Since it costs nothing extra for a company to post jobs to their own website, I can find positions that are not listed on Monster or any of the other big boards. Cool!
Todd – thanks for clearing that up and for giving us a window into the recruiter world. It definitely wasn’t too much information.
Jim – thanks for that. JobCentral is a good site, one of the tools mentioned in The Ultimate RSS Feed Collection for the Israeli Job Seeker
I use social networks for Jobhunt especially Linkedin, Plaxo and now Facebook as well
Since there is nothing like a person who works at a company to tell me the good and bad sides of the company (and also recommend me as well)
The trend in online job search is towards personalization. The best tools will be tailored to your experience rather than just matching keywords. Looking for a job may be less efficient that finding the company you would work for first and then finding a job within that company. Finding a great job description that is at a “dud” company is not very useful.
Of course I am biased, but a career tool that lets you take advantage of “the strength of work ties” will address both cultural and skill matches.
One of the newer tools on the block are social networking sites like LinkedIn and even Twitter. I notice that many people are now including links to their LinkedIn page and Twitter feed in the footer of their emails.
Oded, Anne-Marie – I totally agree, especially with LinkedIn which has now become a job search standard in many places, which is why I compiled the Gigantic Tips Guide for Finding Jobs With LinkedIn.
Tom – on the one hand, it is refreshing that the tools have improved so much that such personalization is within reach. On the other hand, what someone has done isn’t always a good predictor of what they can do. Of course, every tool has its pitfalls but as long as the toolbox is getting better, I’ll stay optimistic for all sides.
Jacob,
Always is an absolute term and not one I would use in this case. What do you consider a better predictor of future performance?
None of the tools have changed in 5 years, we just have more of them.