Job Search Tools and Apps to Keep Your Search on Track

Are you feeling overwhelmed with your job search? There are so many things to do and so many resources to use, and it can be tough to keep track of it all. That’s why we’ve put together a list of ten online tools to help you stay organized and focused during your job search. As a bonus, many of them are free! Check them out below.

Tools to Organize Your Job Search-

When you’re applying to many jobs, it can be tough to keep track of all the applications you’ve sent out, let alone the deadlines and when you should be following up. To maximize success, you need to get organized. This way, you’ll ensure you’re not missing any opportunities and you’re following up with the right person in a timely fashion.

Building a solid plan and following up with recruiters is often the key to finding a job. But it can be challenging to keep track of everything you’ve submitted and follow up within a reasonable amount of time with the correct person.

Essentially, a job seeker manages a large project with several variables. You might soon discover that you need a more robust project management tool. While most project management tools are created with teams in mind, the good news is they are easily scaled to your needs and often offer free subscriptions for solo users.

— Google Sheets: Sometimes, all you need is a spreadsheet to keep things flowing. Google Sheets is a simple option that appeals to many for its familiarity. And you won’t need to rely on an internet connection when you want to take a moment to organize your submissions or follow-ups required for the next day.

— Airtable: For a more user-friendly interface, use an online tool like Airtable to keep you on track. So much more than a spreadsheet generator, Airtable can also help you manage your resume variations, along with the keywords each is targeted for. And the best part? It’s free for individual users.

— Trello: Beloved by Kanban users worldwide, Trello makes it easy to manage your workflows in a more pleasant visual style. It’s especially appealing for those that shy away from spreadsheets. Trello is free for individual users.

— Asana: Asana is a fantastic tool that helps manage everything in one place. Integrating with over 200 apps, you’ll find some of them especially relevant for your job search tasks. For example, you can turn an email into a task, add contacts directly from your Gmail account, create lists, and manage your time all in one place.

— monday.com: monday.com is another favorite among job seekers. The integrations allow you to automate many of your tasks. For example, you can automatically create a contact when an email is received, ensuring you never lose track of who you need to communicate with and when it needs to happen.

— Focus 10: If you’re a fan of the Pomodoro time management technique, there are several similar options out there. Focus 10 keeps things simple and free with timer and break intervals.

— My Hours: This simple app will track how much time you spend on different activities throughout the day, which helps you keep an eye on exactly where your limited hours are spent during your search. Rather than get sucked down the rabbit hole of social media or networking, allot a set amount of time to browse social media or network, and then hold yourself accountable for it.

— focus booster: For more robust time-tracking, consider focus booster, which allows you to categorize your time to manage your expectations better. Look back and adjust where you might need to create more focus or allow more time for a particular task.

— Todoist: Popular among freelancers, Todoist is an easy way to organize and prioritize your tasks for the day. Managing your job search can be overwhelming, but with Todoist, it’s easy to create plans for home management…and delegate them too! How much would you love an easy way to create a grocery list and then send it off to your partner to pick up on their way home?

Tools for Networking-

Networking is where relationships are built and opportunities are found. One of the most valuable tools job seekers have is creating connections. Seek out your alumni associations, previous coworkers, and organizations you’ve volunteered with.

— LinkedIn: It should go without saying, schedule time daily for LinkedIn. Beware though, as with any social media, it can be a time-suck if you’re not intentional. Did you know that 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn daily? Regularly update your content to ensure that your connections stay strong. Use LinkedIn to its maximum potential by completely filling out your profile section. Utilize the posting feature to write articles and share insights within your field. Join groups related to your industry. Target companies and follow their members.

— Lusha: This extension will pull up contact information from LinkedIn with the push of a button. No more wasting time hunting down contact information for follow-up emails. Although the monthly fee is a little hefty for individual users, you might decide it’s a good investment for a few months.

— Shapr: After you create your profile, you’ll be matched with local professionals that share similar interests. You can choose to connect or pass for now. With 15 a day sent for your review, you’ll grow your network in minutes a day! After you have a few interactions, you can schedule a coffee chat or lunch to cement your new connection.

Create Calm in Your Job Search-

One of the reasons that job searches can seem overwhelming is the lack of a clear plan that many approach it with. Initially, it may seem like your task is solely to submit your resume to applicable jobs. In reality, though, a job search involves so many more steps than that. Finding a few tools that fit your workflow and personality might be the key to having a less stressful job search.

10 Body Language Mistakes to Ditch For Your Interview

Want to speak volumes to a hiring manager without saying a word? Be self-aware and avoid making common body language mistakes that can send the wrong message. Your body language is constantly communicating something during an interview, and it may not be positive.

“There are so many ways body language can either make you sink or soar during an interview,” said Kathryn M. Partan, principal at Partan Communications LLC. “The main idea here is to release your energy instead of keeping it trapped inside. When released, you’ll look and feel confident. When trapped, anxiety and nerves abound!”

Your body language is one piece of your overall interview performance, and sometimes it can have an outsized impact. As humans, we’re naturally conditioned to pay attention to visuals. Making the most of your body language during your job interview can help you leave a great impression with a potential employer.

Below we’re going over 10 body language mistakes you should ditch if you want to put your best foot forward during the job interview.

10 Body Language Mistakes to Avoid During Interviews-

Slumping

Don’t give the impression that you’d like to curl up into a ball and be anywhere else! Instead, sit as if there’s a string tied from the top of your head to the ceiling. Similarly, watch your posture when standing. Push your shoulders back, keep your chin up, and stand with your feet slightly apart.

Wandering Eyes

Do your eyes dart around the room while listening and speaking? Are you guilty of looking at the ceiling or floor rather than people? Such actions make you appear apprehensive and distracted.

“Make direct eye contact with your interviewer, both while listening and speaking,” Partan said. “You develop immediate rapport, and the interviewer will see you as a confident and competent candidate. Practice this by sharing a story with a friend without breaking eye contact.”

Fiddling With Objects

An interviewer who witnesses you playing with your jewelry, picking at your fingernails, or twirling your hair may assume you’re bored or impatient. Luckily, this is a body language mistake with an easy remedy. Simply eliminate the source, whether that means leaving your bracelets at home or pulling back your hair. Another trick is to press the fingertips of your hands together to form a church steeple. You’ll display confidence while keeping your nervous digits under control.

Clenching

Hang tight to a chair’s armrest or glue your hands to the desk’s edge, and you’ll run the risk of looking like a roller coaster rider having second thoughts. Such white-knuckle grips also can lead your pent-up energy to come out in other undesirable forms, such as toe-tapping or chair swiveling.

A better choice is to use your hands to gesture while speaking to make answers more engaging. As Partan notes, “This makes you look open and interested and allows you to use your energy in a positive way.” Just make sure you don’t overdo it.

Looking Unhappy

A simple but often overlooked body language mistake is not looking happy to be there. Instantly up your approachability and trustworthiness by smiling. People are naturally drawn to a happy face, and the feel-good chemicals smiling releases into the body will help you stay calm and upbeat.

“Smiling tells an employer so many things about you, but when we’re nervous, we naturally stop smiling. Practice answering interview questions while reminding yourself to smile. If you don’t smile sometimes during a job interview, it may wrongfully tell them you’re not a positive person, or you’re just not excited about the role or the company,” said Reynolds.

Defensive or Aggressive Body Posture

Crossing your arms across your chest. Leaning forward a bit too assertively. Invading the interviewer’s personal space. What do these gestures have in common? They all risk coming off as being too, shall we say, “in your face.”

Probably the last thing you want in an interview is to indicate that you’re one to constantly question or challenge everything at every turn. So, rest your hands in your lap, on the arms of the chair, or anywhere that conveys a sense of calmness and an even-tempered disposition.

Wild Hand or Arm Movements

You may be super excited about the prospective job, but wild gestures with your hands or arms can seem, well, a bit wacky. Even though you’re enthusiastic, this can still be a body language mistake. But used sparingly and with precision, hand gestures can be a powerful way to make a point, or engage your interviewer in a moment of shared humor, frustration, or camaraderie related specifically to the discussion.

“The last thing you want to do is distract an employer away from your answers, but using big gestures or talking a lot with your hands will do just that. Some movements and gestures are great and can add to your overall interview performance. But try not to go overboard, or the employer may stop listening to your words because they’re too distracted by your movements,” said Reynolds.

Shrugging

Shrugging isn’t a good look for any job seeker since it means that you might be indifferent or unhappy with what your interviewer is saying. But shrugging just one shoulder can also indicate that you’re lying, so be careful not to shrug—at all.

Stiffness

Of course, you’re nervous…it’s a job interview! Many people get a little stiff when nerves are getting the best of them. And of all the possible body language mistakes, this one is the least offensive. Being stiff automatically equates with nervousness, which hiring managers expect.

But being too stiff can make you appear uncomfortable or unfriendly, so try to loosen up a little before your interview. Smiling as you’re talking is a great way to feel more relaxed!

Sitting Directly in Front of Your Interviewer

If you’re doing a phone or video interview, you don’t have to worry about where to sit. But when you enter an office for an in-person interview—and there are three chairs to choose from—you might not always know where to sit. A rule of thumb is to sit in the chair at a 45-degree angle from your interviewer’s chair. Being on an angle is more collegial and less combative, which can help make you both feel more comfortable.

Speak Without Saying a Word

Body language mistakes can hurt your chances of getting a job. So, study up on these tips to ace your next interview with positive body language that shows you’re the right candidate for the position!

And if you want some expert feedback on your body language during an interview, consider scheduling a mock interview with a StartWorkNow career coach. You’ll get detailed, personalized feedback that will help you ace your job interviews! Schedule your appointment today!

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