Top 10 Job Search Apps and Tools

Top 10 Job Search Apps and Tools Over the last decade, how people discover new job opportunities has evolved dramatically. When was the last time that you looked at a newspaper to find your next job? These days, the majority of job searches are conducted online, spawning a whole new industry around job boards, recruitment websites and job posting platforms. However, with all of these advancements, the modern job search can still seem a bit complicated and time consuming.  Here are a number of tools that can help simplify and organise your job search process: 1. Email Alerts: Email Alerts are a useful way of keeping up-to-date with the latest vacancies available direct from any job board or corporate careers site. By signing up to the alerts, you’ll get notified every time there’s a job that matches your search requirements and save you from having to check multiple websites every day.  Indeed aggregates vacancies from several job boards and careers site which guarantees you get the most comprehensive run down of jobs available. Alternatively, you can use Google Alerts to monitor job vacancies from the companies you are targeting as well as any press releases or company updates which could prove useful for your search. 2. Google Homepage: The  Google Homepage service will be deprecated by November 2013 but until then, you can still use it to set up your ‘Job search dashboard’. Using  iGoogle widgets, you can subscribe to RSS feeds from different job sites  and have  up to 9 of the latest jobs from each site displayed side by side. The widgets update frequently and are clickable links to the live job advertisements. This affords you an ‘at-a-glance’ view of all the open jobs available without accessing each site separately. You can also add other useful widgets such as Gmail, Calendar, Google directions and even a currency converter if you’re looking at international jobs. If you don’t want to use iGoogle, there are free alternatives such as uStart.org which work in a similar way. 3. LinkedIn: LinkedIn, the much touted professional networking site offers numerous opportunities for job seekers to connect with recruiters, potential employers and industry peers. It can be a valuable source of information and leads. Most employers and recruitment agencies will have a presence on the network and are open to connecting with job seekers either on LinkedIn groups or on a one-to-one basis. You can also use LinkedIn to research everything you can about a potential hiring manager and his team.         4. PocketResume: If you’ve been inactive on the job search front for a while, your CV is probably outdated. If you don’t have the luxury of time or the patience to sit in front of a computer and put together a new CV on a bulky piece of word processing software, there is PocketResume. It is an easy to use app for smartphones and tablets which allows you to create professional looking CVs with the minimum of fuss. Your CV will then be converted into a PDF, ready to be sent to the next hiring manager. However, do bear in mind that using a service like this will have limitations on customisation and that you may still need to create a version of your CV in a Word document format. 5. Google Drive + Dropbox: Most recruitment websites and job boards see the highest traffic during the week with peak times at working hours.  While you may be able to conduct your job search at work, you might not always have a copy of your CV on your work computer. Using Google Drive or Dropbox to store your CV ensures that you have access to your files from any device and apply for jobs whenever you need to. 6. Wisestamp: Wisestamp is a nifty tool for creating email signatures where you can add links to your online profiles as well as other contact details. It offers a richer experience than just signing your email with your full name. So you got invited for an interview, now it’s time to do your research: 7. Evernote: Evernote is a productivity tool that allows you to record and categorise web clippings, photos, videos and documents as well as import your hand-written notes and audio memos into one central place. Evernote will sync across your devices and has a robust search facility that should make rifling through your files easier. Think of it as a virtual filing cabinet where you can organise all the information you have regarding each and every job you apply for. The savvy job seeker will have a folder for each job containing the job description, the CV you sent, links to the employer’s career site, contact information for the recruiter as well as post-interview notes. 8. Glassdoor: Glassdoor provides more than just approval ratings and reviews for companies and CEOs. You can also find information on the site regarding salaries and interview questions which other users have submitted, along with the occasional tip on how to answer them. Especially when you’re interviewing with a big organisation, it’s important to figure out how you can present yourself in a way that hiring managers start to picture you fitting in to their culture. Reading reviews from current and former employers facilitates that and is an easy way to get a “feel” for the company before you even set foot in the building. 9. MyInterview Simulator: MyInterview Simulator is an online mock interview tool which has a bank of practice questions and response suggestions. The questions are delivered in video format. Although your responses are not recorded, it still helps to have a human being ask you questions instead of just reading them off of a list when you’re practicing. 10. Camcard: CamCard is a professional business card reader and manager. Using your smartphone, you can easily scan the business cards you receive after an interview. You can then add notes to each card and merge the details with other existing contact information you have. The app also syncs across all devices which provides easy access to your contact list from anywhere. Which tools do you use? Let us know in the comments below!

Tips on How to Write a Resume For Biology Majors

Tips on How to Write a Resume For Biology MajorsA lot of people with biology degrees have little knowledge of how to write a resume. As long as it tells them the necessary information, they are good to go. It is important to learn how to do this, though, in order to get the most out of your academic career.Begin with a summary that can be broken down into short paragraphs. These paragraphs should address any specific points that you would like to highlight in your application. If you want to highlight a specific achievement in your work, put it there.Getting a good job in this field is all about building up experience. It is important that your job experience is written down and is extensive. This will impress the employer with the quality of experience you have had.The first section of a resume that must be included is your contact information. Any organizations or jobs that you have worked for are the ones that will be shown on your resume. If you have not had much time to apply, t his should be a point that you focus on.A great way to show how well you can meet deadlines is to use one or two examples of when you did exactly what was asked of you. This is important for showing what you will be expected to do if you get the job. Make sure to focus on the actual job instead of the exact tasks that are given to you.While the education record is an important thing to have, it is not necessarily a must. People who have already completed their degrees usually have a better chance of getting the job than someone without that kind of background. Even if your major has been renamed to something else, make sure to use the 'major' portion of your resume.Tips on how to write a resume can help you get the job you want when you apply for it. Some people will apply and then forget all about it, while others may take the time to put together a professional resume. Learning how to properly do this will give you the edge over other candidates.In order to see if you will be succ essful in this field, it is important to take the time to learn how to write a resume for biology majors. Most of the information in this article can be found in other sources, but it should still be followed. This will give you a better chance at getting the job that you want.

5 Steps to Get Fit Before Summer

5 Steps to Get Fit Before Summer Come spring, we are thinking about our bodies and how we would change them for the upcoming summer. Even though many believe this, the beginning of spring is not late for you to start getting fit so that you could look your best during summer. Of course, it will take some more time than for those who worked very hard on their bodies throughout the year, but don’t worry. Behold, five very mighty steps to get fit very quickly before summer comes knocking at our door. Set a certain goal Setting goals is always a good thing, not only because it will help you plan out everything you need, but also because it will definitely give you the motivation that you need. What you need to do is write down (it would also be a good idea to put this list on your bulletin board or your fridge) all the things you need to achieve until summer. This might be going to the gym four or five times a week, hiking an extremely steep trail at least once this spring or swimming extra laps at the local swimming pool. Make sure not to set yourself unrealistic goals as this will probably demotivate you and you certainly don’t want that. Of course, you can also start small and then make your list longer and longer by adding new things. Strength is important as well Cardio is extremely important for losing fat, that’s true. This is why you should always start your workout with a little bit of cardio.   Also, make some workouts devoted only to cardio. Even though it doesn’t burn so much fat as cardio, building lean muscles is also very important for your figure. It’s an equally important part of any plan to get fit. This is why you should work on the strength and endurance of strong core muscles, legs and arms. Mind what you’re eating and drinking As they say, abs are made in the kitchen. So you can work out at the gym all you want and burn the unwanted fat, but it won’t be worth it if you don’t pay attention to what you’re eating. The first step that you have to do is cut down on all the greasy things that you’re eating and fast food in general. Many opt for other options of losing fat, which is also a great thing but it’s still very important to know what you’re eating. Opting for effective weight loss pills is a great thing as it will help you lose your weight faster, but you still have to stop eating pizzas and pancakes. Make sure to eat a lot of greens, especially green vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli. What you can also do is ask for the help of a nutritionist or a personal trainer â€" they know best. In order to keep track of all the calorie intake, you can keep a food journal and write down everything that you eat. Find the right routine for you Working out might be a dull and difficult task. However, it’s very important to know that different things work for different people â€" some might like the gym, others might want to exercise in a different way. And this is totally cool, as long as you find the right routine for you. If you can exercise at home and go running every day in the morning, this is a great option. If you want to combine running, swimming or a different sport such as kick-boxing, go for it. After all, your overall happiness matters a lot, and working out while feeling quite unhappy and uncomfortable will not help. You are more likely to adhere to your plan for getting fit if you find a routine that fits your style. Always stay active Finally, don’t forget to always stay active, even after you finish with your workout. If you’re working on the seventh floor, for example, take the stairs from time to time rather than going with the elevator every day. Also, if your home is in walking distance, leave your car at home and walk those half an hour or hour to your job. It’ll definitely do you a lot of good. Trying to find the best way to get fit for the summer is always a daunting task, let alone if you’re thinking about it in spring. Well, thank God you have us! Follow these tips starting immediately and you will see the difference in a couple of months!

Awarded a 22 degree What to do next.

Awarded a 22 degree What to do next. Finally its results time. Instead of   the much hoped-for 2.1 (your guarantee of future career success) you’ve been awarded a 2:2! Suddenly your chances of getting a good graduate job recede into the distance. Rest assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Getting a 2:2 may feel like end of the world right now but it really isn’t. While you need to take stock of your situation,   it’s most definitely not all over.   Now is the time to start thinking about a Plan B. And if that doesn’t work you have to move on to Plan C! Flexibility and resilience are key to future career success, so start as you mean to go on. You will find employment so meet the challenge head on. What to do next 1. Is it possible or appropriate to appeal your final degree classification? Look carefully at the precise regulations. At Warwick an appeal is possible only in very restricted circumstances. Even if you think you do have grounds for appeal don’t assume that you will be successful. Talk through your options with your personal tutor as soon as you can. 2. Do you have a conditional offer of a job? Call the company and let them know the situation. There may be no room for manoeuvre, but if you really impressed at interview/assessment centre they may still hire you. Some organisations deal with cases on their individual merits, whereas others operate a blanket policy of “no 2:1, no offer”. You won’t know until you try, so call now and make your case. 3. Don’t get caught up in the media hype and assume that only graduate schemes offer graduate jobs. Big recruiters are just a tiny slice of the graduate market. Some of the main players have strong brands and high campus visibility so you are more aware of them but there are plenty of great graduate opportunities with the small and medium sized recruiters. And the really good news is that many of the smaller companies will operate more flexible entry requirements. 4. Don’t panic! There are options that still open to you. It may feel as though the 2:1 threshold restricts your access to many of the UK graduate schemes, but this is by no means all. We have a comprehensive list on our website of companies prepared to accept a 2.2 use it. If closing dates have passed you can apply for them in the next graduate recruitment cycle. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it will give you time to re-group before you make further job application process. 5. Book an appointment to talk your options over with Careers. We view things from a neutral perspective(which may not be true of parents and friends). You will be able to explore ideas, safe in the knowledge anything you say is entirely. If you live outside the local area: we offer Skype and telephone appointments and are here throughout the summer. 6. Avoid considering postgraduate study to ‘compensate’ for your 2.2. Postgraduate study is a worthwhile option, but only as part of a considered career plan. It isn’t something you should consider as a default reflex, you could struggle to convince prospective employers of the benefits when it comes to future applications. Do your research and gather all the information before making a final decision. 7. Get yourself job ready by updating your CV and plugging any potential skills or work gaps. Consider how well your CV highlights your skills â€" both soft and technical. Consider what your selling points as an employee are. Start thinking about your online brand and build a professional LinkedIn profile that reflects your career aspirations. Can you join any professional associations (if you have a sector in mind). These often arrange networking events and are a great source of insider information. 8. Take a look at the  Student Employability Profiles Remind yourself of the transferable skills youve gained through your degee.   Recruiters value these. Add supporting evidence and remind yourself what you to offer. All is not lost Try to put all of this into perspective: remember, this is the beginning â€" not the end â€" of your career. You are likely to have a number of jobs over the course of your career. Soon after you start work and prove your worth through your attitude, commitment and determination, amazingly people cease to be interested in your degree classification. Your hopes of working for a particular company may have been dashed in the short-term, but with time and some experience behind you there’s every chance of applying again (perhaps for a better role!) at some point in the future.

Tips For Writing Technical Resumes

Tips For Writing Technical ResumesWriting a resume is often a painful and difficult process but the right direction and structure can make the job significantly easier. Some of the key aspects to keep in mind as you get ready to start on your first resume are:Written by hand, you have a firm grasp on how to write the document. However, most resumes are pre-written and the format depends on the employer. It is wise to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors. Too many errors will reveal your lack of knowledge. Also, don't use too many abbreviations or acronyms.Make sure to follow a standard format when preparing your cover letter. The cover letter can be adapted to go with your resume and you should not be afraid to follow it closely. You should not forget to take advantage of the fact that each document has a certain 'look.'You should not take more than one day to write a technical resume and cover letter. A candidate who tries to squeeze in a second document to set themselves apart from others will usually end up frustrated and angry at their agency. If the hiring manager can get through your letters quickly, it is a sign that you're doing a good job.Technical resumes are often written for an interview, so it is important to provide the hiring manager with a lot of information. It will help if you include your education, the duties you performed, any certifications you hold, and any projects you've worked on.Write your technical resume with in mind. You want to provide the appropriate amount of information for each section of the document. Be sure to use the correct terminology for each group and always provide the most relevant information.Provide the technical resume in written form and keep in mind to use standard English. Don't use words such as 'and'or.' Also, don't write 'for example' and make sure you include all the necessary information.As you can see, preparing a technical resume for a technical job can be very different from writing a standard resum e. By following these tips, you will ensure that your technical resume stands out from others and provides the proper amount of information that your potential employer will need to make a quick decision.

The Evolution of Social Media - CareerAlley

The Evolution of Social Media - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. These days, social media is King. Everyone including your grandfather has a Facebook account, but not everyone is using it as efficiently as they could be. Until recently, social media accounts have been used solely for updating your friends on what youre doing, where youve been and even what you ate for dinner, but with the recent surge of LinkedIn users social media is becoming a legitimate tool for marketing yourself to potential employers. Today, it is common for employers to check the Facebook and Twitter accounts of perspective employees. It is a way to see what kind of a person you are and give an idea of what kind of employee you would be. So lets discuss how social media can make YOU a more attractive product for any business or organization. First, lets clarify a few things using social media as a job search resource can be an amazing thing, but only if you can balance yourself across each of the various channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube). Think about yourself as a table, you are the surface and these channels are the legs that support you. It doesnt matter how amazing the surface appears if the legs are weak! Each channel plays a key role in supporting your efforts to gain employment. more Manage Your Online Presence LinkedIn is basically the professionals Facebook, the setup is very much the same but the content is vastly different. LinkedIn allows you to present yourself through your skills, qualifications, experiences and even upload your resume. This will be the cornerstone of your social media marketing plan, the main focus for potential employers. more Using LinkedIn Groups in your job search Utilizing YouTube can be a creative way to make yourself an interactive portfolio, especially if youre looking for a career in photography/filmography or even event planning. Video resumes are becoming more and more popular and can be an excellent way to show your creativity and initiative. Using Niagara Colleges Optimal Resume service is also a smart way to create an eye-catching video resume, it is fun, easy and free! Posting a link to your video resume on LinkedIn, Facebook and/or Twitter is a great way to combine your resources. This is where things get a little difficult, Facebook and Twitter are not your traditional choices for marketing yourself in a professional manner, but there are a few things you can do to improve this. Most people use these channels for their personal day-to-day lives and sometimes there can be content that may not be appropriate for potential employers to see e.g. pictures of you drinking and/or fooling around with friends. You want a consistently appropriate and professional appearance to each of the channels you plan to use. One option may be to create alternative accounts for these channels, have one Facebook and Twitter page that is your personal page and one that will be your professional profile. Keeping your personal and professional lives separate is key! Use your professional accounts to post interesting and creative content! This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Deserve has nothing to do with getting a promotion.

‘Deserve’ has nothing to do with getting a promotion. I’m sharing a guest blog that offers first-hand experience on earning a promotion. â€" Coach Wolfgang In the movie, Unforgiven, staring Clint Eastwood, one of my favorite lines comes near the end.   Just before Gene Hackmans character meets his demise he says, I dont deserve this! To die like this.   Clint Eastwoods character responds with Deserve has got nothing to do with it. Recently, I was at a point in my career where I felt that I deserved a promotion. I had been a loyal employee, rarely complained, often worked 50 or 60 hours per week, created lasting results.   Plus, I had been in the same position for 4 years and in that time my responsibilities expanded substantially.   Inevitably, I also viewed co-workers who were above me in the org chart but not nearly as productive.   I went through a number of phases in dealing with my emotions: If Im not getting a promotion, then Im only working 40 hours per week, no more! If I dont get a promotion by year end then Im going to start really looking for a new job! Im going to work my butt off for the next 3 weeks and then ask for a promotion in my quarterly review. Theres no way theyll say no! As you can see, each of these phases were fairly emotional (note all the exclamation points!) but none were very productive. When I thought about it, I realized that none of these plans were responses that would lead to a promotion. Since that time, I settled down and realized that there are 3 reactions when you feel that you deserve a promotion but arent getting it. Make your case The first step in a promotion is to communicate what you are looking for. Tell your boss exactly what you want and state your reasons why you feel you have earned it. Also, let your network know especially at work that you are interested in a higher-level role. Thats getting the word out. If you really want a promotion then you need to make your case. I see two ways of doing this. First, start doing the job of the next role up. This probably includes solving problems at your job and figuring out how to do things better. When you start making an impact, your boss will notice. Plus, youll have very good results to show during your reviews. The second way is to ask your boss to help you create a plan to be in a position to get a promotion. Ask him or her what transition you need to make to be at the next level and what initiatives would show him or her that you are ready. Show your own initiative by presenting your own ideas. Let your boss know that you are genuinely motivated to contribute in bigger ways to the team. At the same time, let your boss know that are expecting a promotion at some point and ask if doing these initiatives will make that happen. You wont get a guarantee but just make sure you are producing and your boss knows that you want a promotion. Move on If not getting a promotion is consuming your thoughts everyday then you may want to move on. WORD OF CAUTION: move to a different role because it will boost your career, not because it will feel good to spurn your current employer. Look for a new job because your current one is holding you back. If your current job doesnt challenge you enough, doesnt utilize your skills sufficiently or doesnt pay you fairly, then decide to move on for those reasons. First get rid of the resentment you feel towards your employer and think about what your next career step should be. Knowing your next step may actually enable you to have a much different conversation with your current employer about how you can contribute in different ways. Appreciate what you have If you dont have any good career-related reasons for leaving your current job, you may want to try something very different gratitude. Write down all the things you like about this job. The team rapport, short commute, the snack closet, the easy Fridays, an engaging new project, etc. Use this list to help you see all the reasons to stay at your current job. This may help you also see things that would make you like the job more. Many times, I see a list of things Id like to do on job descriptions at other companies. Are there ways you can incorporate those items into your job? You can achieve peace of mind by saying aloud the reasons that you like your job. You can even make your job more fulfilling by incorporating new ideas and challenges. Many times, promotions and salary increases are just not an option for your boss to give you. It shouldnt stop you from finding ways to enjoy the job you have nor from positioning yourself today for opportunities that may show up further down the road. One thing is for sure: career development is important  and good opportunities will arise. I would love to hear in the comments if you too have felt this way, ever, and how you reacted. Were you successful? Please comment below.