The following tools were developed to help you with your job search and application needs.

Resume Analysis – Get a free critique of your resume to see if it needs some minor edits, major revisions, or needs to be scrapped and begun anew.

Career Test – The complimentary diagnosis will help you to analyze your job skills and aptitude and determine the best industry and career for you to work in.

Salary Calculator – Get personalized salary reports that are relevant to you and your job.

Best Job Search Tools

There are literally thousands of online job search tools, and many people simply don’t know where to start.  Some job boards have been around for some time, while others are here today and gone tomorrow  The thing that makes the best job search services stand out is that they offer much more than a job search engine.  Here is a quick look at some of the other tools and resources that allow some services to continually rise above the rest.

1.    Resume. The best job search services allow you to create or upload your resume.  This will not only make it easier to apply for jobs, but it also gives you a way to get noticed by potential employers as well.  Additionally, many corporate websites will allow you to either upload your resume or simply add a link to your online resume.  By having a safe place to keep your resume online, you can save a lot of time by simply giving them a link.  If you upload your own, is is almost a guarantee that you will have to do some additional formatting in order to make it look right.  By having a link, you can avoid wasting 5 minutes on each application.

2.    Updates. The best job search services allow you to save your search criteria and then send updates directly to your inbox.  This allows you to input your search criteria once and then forget it because you will get all of the job postings that match your criteria sent to you directly.  This can save a lot of time, especially if you are using multiple job search services.  Instead of wasting an hour every day jumping from site to site, you can browse available listings in a matter of minutes.

3.    Resources. Another characteristic of the the best job tools is that they provide you with additional resources that may help your search.  It could be informative articles that give you tips relating to formatting and sculpting your resume, how to maximize your search results, and even how to become better at the interview process.  These resources not only give you the information that you need, but gives you a place to go whenever you have a question, which is much better than having to search all over the internet for some basic information.

4.    Tools. Along with information based resources, the best job search services also provide a number of valuable resources such as career benchmarking, mapping, or even job placement services.  Many also provide communities that allow you to interact with other people who are in the same position that you are in.  This especially useful if you have been searching for a job for a while and need a little encouragement.  Some communities and forums also allow you to make valuable connections that can help you find employment.

With so many job search engines online, it is important to identify and utilize the best job search services available.  They will not only provide you with a job postings, but additional tools and resources as well.

Here’s the Right Job Search Tools

Below is the complete and ideal package of job search tools. If you have the funds for the full meal equipment deal, here’s the equipment and supplies you’ll need:

• A computer – it doesn’t have to be fast
• Word Processing Software – Microsoft Word is the most universally accepted
• Spreadsheet Software – To better track your job search activities
• A printer – ink jet is fine, laser is better
• An Internet connection – high speed is best (you want to find a job fast, don’t you?)
• Good, heavy stationary – for your resume ( 25 pound bond paper is best)
• Good, heavy envelopes – don’t put your expensive looking resume in a cheap envelope
• A fax machine – yes, there are still companies that want fax instead of email
• A cell phone – you don’t want to miss that interview call because you’re grocery shopping
• A land line phone – still best for talking from home
• A portfolio – to carry your resume, references, etc to your interview

Let me stress that the above job search tools list is the ideal for an employment search and presumes you already have some or all of the items, or that you can buy them if you don’t.

If you have limited funds for job search tools, there are low or no cost alternatives.

Your local library will have computers, printers and an Internet connection. You can use your own high quality paper and their computers will probably have word processing software. Instead of a spreadsheet, you can use lined notebook paper to track your search activites.

A fax machine is nice to have but not a necessity. However, you can buy one today for less than fifty dollars. It’s a good investment because it can double as an extra phone and make copies (though the quality will not be as good as a copier). It will also be useful if a potential employer needs copies of original documents from you fast, such as a drivers license or social security card.

A land phone line is mandatory and a cell phone is almost a necessity today, so have both if you possibly can.

You can buy a nice leather-look portfolio for about ten dollars and it will make you look more professional in interviews.