When you’re on the job hunt, it’s easy to take an “anything will work” approach to the scope of your search. Everyone remembers the grade-school saying “beggars can’t be choosers,” but it’s not enjoyable to be saddled with a job that’s not a good fit.
Here’s some good news: There are simple tools that will not only ensure the jobs you’re applying to are great fits for your personality, but also customize your current job portfolio to give you an edge.
Here’s a roundup of four tools that can give you the edge in finding the perfect job.
Resunate
It’s easy to think of a potential employer as the venerable “man behind the curtain.” Resunate attempts to get rid of the curtain altogether by showing users just how their résumés look to a recruiter or potential employer. This tool parses your entire uploaded resume and compares it to the description of the job you’re after, acting the way an employer’s applicant tracking system (ATS) would work. Then, you get a score from 1 to 10 that determines how well your application would stack up in the ATS.
LunchMeet
Oftentimes, securing the job that’s perfect for you isn’t about what you know, but who you know. LunchMeet is a spanking-new mobile app that gives you the opportunity to put yourself in front of business recruiters, upper-level execs and others in your industry without pressure. Simply sign up with your LinkedIn account and search to see what professionals are available for networking over lunch or coffee. Meeting with these professionals is also a great way to get an inside look at a company if you’re looking to break in or change industries.
Indeed
One of the most difficult things about a job search is, well, searching. Indeed’s search engine makes the pain of search a little simpler. Thanks to its minimalist and straightforward design, it just takes a couple of seconds to set up a recurring search protocol and a profile that displays your résumé to potential recruiters. With no upfront cost and little hassle, it’s also easy to set up an alert system that will e-mail you whenever a potentially relevant job — based on strictly specified keywords — comes up.
Glassdoor
If you’re interested in learning about the HR culture and work environment at a company, Glassdoor is a must-use.
With everything from interview recaps to blind salary reports, Glassdoor gives the skinny on all aspects of a company from anonymous voices on the inside.
Another useful feature of the website is the “CEO Approval Rating,” letting you know how employees feel about their leader and upper management.
