Giles O’Halloran introduces some of the best apps for jobseeking and networking, along with some words of wisdom on how to get the most out of them
Recruitment in this day and age is becoming more technology based and ultimately more mobile. The old phrase “send me or FAX me your CV” has become “email me your CV,” and it is now getting to the stage where you don’t even have to do that.
You can simply ask a recruiter or potential employer to look at your profile on a professional networking site, and they don’t even have to be at a PC to do it.
In the same light, the need to respond quickly in a world where an instantaneous and real time response is expected means you can no longer wait until you get home or you can get on to a laptop or PC. Ideally you need to be able to have the tools to hand and what better place that via a mobile phone or device. This means companies and developers have therefore been building apps that assist you with finding the right job. However, before you start to think it will solve all your wants and needs, remember the following:
They are a tool and tools need to be used effectively – apps help you manage, process, adapt and present data. They could help you get an interview, but it is still very much about the human side as well. Apps are a help rather than a panacea.
Keep expectations realistic – some apps have high expectations and one person may have a different opinion to another on what the app could or will do for them. This means that you should read the reviews for the apps and then decide if they are for you. If they are free, try them anyway as you have nothing really to lose.
Don’t expect them to deliver from day one – like with any software tool or app, you need to take time to explore and understand the functionality. The more you invest time into using and understanding the app, the more you will benefit.
Search for the tools you need – I may only mention a few options or ideas below, but take a look through the apps under the business and utilities sections. This is where you will find lots of tools, often doing similar things, so check they fit your needs. Some tools may be very similar but suit the way you work better, so check the recommendations to see if they might help.
Back up your data – don’t manage all your data on a device that could be lost or damaged. You could lose a great deal of important information if you do not back up the data you have and that you use.
Networking Apps
Most mobile phones now come with certain social networking apps built in. These are likely to be Facebook, Twitter etc., but you need to make sure your professional network tools are downloaded as apps as well. These should be on hand and linked to your updates so you can stay on top of any potential leads, job opportunities or interview updates.
Facebook is largely used as a social app for helping stay in touch with friends, managing leisure time and personal matters. Twitter can be the same, but has more use in the business world when it comes to instant communication and information sharing. Sometimes a quick tweet saying that you are going for interview, updating the CV, looking at certain companies etc. – helps show companies and recruiters that you are a professional, prepared and motivated individual.
Having a professional networking app like Linkedin on your phone means you can stay connected with the wider global business network anywhere and at any time. You can manage your emails, connections, recruitment contacts etc. all via the app. It can become a one stop shop for you and all held in your hand.
Linkedin is the most popular global business network tool, but there are also other apps out there for you to consider. However, it is down to personal choice and how you can best manage your network on the move.
Further to the networking apps, there are also apps that you can use whilst you are actually at networking events. These include apps like Bump, which allows you to pass contact details between mobiles or IT systems, or perhaps you could use apps like CardMunch or SamCard, which are similar tools that scan and manage business card information via your contact listing on your phone.
Job Apps
Job Boards have always been a part of the online recruitment world, and they have started to move into the mobile world as well. The existence of job board apps means that you no longer have to log in to a PC or a webpage to process or manage your job searches and applications. A large number of the respected jobsites now have their own app that are mobile and utilising the Cloud, available via the iTunes, BlackBerry and Android marketplaces.
The leading jobsites with apps include Monster and of course Linkedin. However, you should also have a look at the following as well:
- Jobs (Indeed.com)
- Job Search
- JobFinder
- Michael Page Jobs
- Cooper Lomaz
- CV Library
- Search Jobs & Find a Career (Beyond.com)
Remember that each of these may cater for particular industries, regions, sectors and skills, so it is worth doing some initial research into the roles that they may advertise, the sectors or markets they cover and where they advertise.
Barclays Capital have even created an interesting app to help with the recruitment experience called Interview Skills, which helps you as a candidate understand what interviewers could be looking for when interviewing for a role. In the same light, you can even download an app called Salary Checker (created by respected agency Robert Walters) and this also can help you evaluate the market rate for your skills, so that you know you are being paid a fair amount for the job advertised.
If you cannot wait for a job and need a quick injection of cash, you can even download apps like Gigwalk and Field Agent that allow you to find quick and easy jobs (like take a picture, scan a bar code etc.) and get paid to do it. It’s not big cash, but a few quick jobs could earn you a few quid. These and others are also free, so have a look and see what apps fit your needs.
Contact Management Apps
The more you generate contacts and individuals to communicate and network with, the more likely you will need an app to manage your growing contact list. Everyone has different ways and different preferences when it comes to managing their data, contacts etc. Some will still honour the pocket notebook or rolodex, a lot may manage their contacts via a spread-sheet or via apps like Linkedin, but there are other options out there and it is worth taking a look.
Plaxo is one of the most popular options for managing your contacts via virtual address book. It used to offer the service online via a PC, but the opportunity has since morphed into an app for your phone (on multiple platforms) working in the Cloud. It is a trusted system, easy to use, and actively helps you keep contacts updated via social media and online tools.
There are quite a few apps like this and all can be found via your appropriate apps provider. However, if you are keeping a lot of contact data on your phone, remember to ensure you can protect this. There are apps out there to help you do this, such as My Apps Backup. This type of app helps you ensure you do not lose those contacts you have taken time to develop and you can even use these tools to help you transfer data across systems and mobiles.
Document Management Apps
If you are mobile and need to send your CV, share a document, a presentation, a copy of a reference etc., with a potential employer, client or a recruiter, you can now get apps on your phone that either help you store the data on your phone, or allow it to be accessible via the Cloud.
A number of apps now allow you to manage documents and forms whilst you are on the move. The most popular of these are apps like Dropbox and Google Drive. Both offer you the chance to access, manage and edit documents, and this makes transporting, editing or forwarding a CV whilst out and about even easier than before. These are not the only two options available and I advise you take a look at all the relevant options before selecting what works for you.
So, I hope this article has helped you think more about using your mobile phone as a tool to help you secure the job you want. I have only covered a few apps in this article, so take some time to look more deeply into the apps out there and that are available to you. They really could help you and hopefully, the more connected you become, the more successful you will be.
About The Author
Giles O’Halloran is an experienced Recruitment and HR professional, with a wealth of knowledge in both sectors. He has worked for a number of large and respected organisations, including blue chip and global recruitment companies. Giles has spent over 15 years providing CV writing, interview preparation and professional networking support to clients in both the public and private sector. He also has over a decade of service in two branches of the Reserve Forces. Feel free to connect with Giles via Linkedin or follow him on Twitter via @GilesOHalloran