3 key takeaways
- How the right resources can help you be more targeted, organized, and efficient
- What job boards, social media, networking groups, and educational materials can do to support you
- How Teal's AI Resume Builder and Job Application Tracker can help you manage your job search—end-to-end
The job search isn't always a walk in the park. With plenty of "to-dos" and decisions to make, it can be easy to get overwhelmed if you don't tap into the right resources and strategies.
Fortunately, job search resources do exist to help you navigate this journey more smoothly. The best job search apps can transform a daunting task into a manageable experience. From identifying your next career move to landing a job you're excited about, the right resources are key to streamlining your approach, improving your visibility to potential employers, and ultimately landing a role that aligns with your goals and values.
The importance of effective job search resources
Resources are any tool or asset, whether digital or not, that you use to support you in today's job market. We’ll get into some of our favorite resources for job seekers soon. But for now, let’s talk about why these resources matter. When you have access to the right resources, you can be more:
- Diverse: Different resources broaden your reach and expand your efforts, which can help you find opportunities and connections you would’ve otherwise missed.
- Targeted: The right resources are the ones that support your unique challenges and career goals, which means they help you stay focused on your next steps.
- Organized: From tailored resumes to interview requests to open roles, there’s a lot to keep track of in your job search. Resources make sense of the chaos and prevent important details from slipping through the cracks.
- Efficient: All of the above help you maximize your impact in your job search, allowing you to take more productive steps in less time.
Take Teal’s bookmarking feature as just one example. With the Chrome extension, you can easily bookmark and save job listings directly to your Teal Job Tracker with just a single click so you can revisit them and craft your application.
Without that, you run the risk of losing those job postings or forgetting about them entirely—which is proof of just how meaningful the right resources for your job search can be.
The 9 best resources for job seekers in 2024
The right job-seeking resources can make all the difference. But which ones should you consider implementing? That answer will be different for everybody.
Emily Liou, Certified Career and Life Coach at CultiVitae, shares:
“I’ve had clients who’ve landed jobs through job boards, wine meetups, attending local events, messaging old classmates, informational interviews sparked by genuine curiosity, volunteer work with their dream foundation, in the front seat of an Uber…”
If you’re curious about what’s worth exploring, here are nine of the best resources for job seekers for the coming year.
1. Teal
Teal is the all-in-one career growth platform where you can create and manage multiple versions of your resume, track your entire job search, and simplify and organize applications—helping you land a job you're excited about even faster. In addition to managing your entire job search process, you can also utilize Teal's Job Board to help you find and discover opportunities.
Use it to:
- Align your job search assets with every role to improve efficiency and confidence.
Use Teal to import your LinkedIn profile, current resume, or start fresh and build a resume in minutes. Then compare it to any job you save in the Job Application Tracker and curate your content based on Teal's "Matching Mode" recommendations for perfect alignment. - Access and organize applications from 40+ job boards (not just LinkedIn!) to streamline your search.
Teal's Job Application Tracker pairs with over 40 job search boards—not just LinkedIn—so you can track your job applications and manage your job search in one centralized location. - Track and nurture your network with consistent, timely communication.
Teal's Contacts Tracker allows you to set goals and follow-up reminders for all of your communication in one place. You can also save your contacts from LinkedIn using the Chrome Extension and connect them to any opportunity.
2. Social media
Social media used to be talked about as a liability in your job search (what’s that recruiter going to see on your Facebook profile?!). But today, it’s one of the most valuable resources for finding employment.
Use it to:
- Forge relationships with potential employers and other beneficial contacts
- Find open positions that might not be posted elsewhere
- Bolster your personal brand
Brush up your LinkedIn profile to accurately capture your experience, skills, and qualifications, and then connect with industry contacts, target company employees, recruiters, and other people who could benefit you.
You can also use groups on LinkedIn and Facebook to connect with other professionals in similar occupations and trade job search information and advice. Plus, posting relevant updates and achievements to your accounts will position you as an active and engaged candidate.
3. Job boards
Whether for career exploration or actively searching for a new role, you’re probably already familiar with the value of job boards in your job search. They’re one of the most-used resources for finding job listings you can apply for.
Use them to:
- Find open positions that meet your criteria
Some of the most popular options are:
You can also check out niche job boards like FlexJobs if you’re looking specifically for remote jobs. (As you find job postings that pique your interest, save them to your Job Application Tracker so you remember to apply and can monitor your progress.)
4. Your alumni association
You may not have considered your university’s alumni association since you switched the tassel on your graduation cap. It’s one of the most overlooked job seeker resources, but beneficial nonetheless.
Use it to:
- Forge connections with new people
- Access additional resources only available through your school
Your college alumni association and career services center can help you meet people who could support your career and job search, access exclusive resources and information, and provide you with job opportunities targeted specifically at alumni.
5. Networking events
We’ll spare you all of the clichés about networking, but just know that those sentiments exist for a reason: they’re true. Knowing the right people can be a huge asset.
Use them to:
- Meet new people and promote yourself
Emily shares,
"It never hurts to expand your web of contacts. So, sign up for some networking events, whether they’re local or online, to form connections with other people. “You never know who is listening and in a position to broker a job offer or an introduction."
6. Industry magazines, webinars, and events
Employment resources aren’t all focused on finding a job—some of them help you effectively position yourself for a new job.
Use them to:
- Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your field
- Identify new potential employers or opportunities
Industry magazines, newsletters, webinars, events, and other materials are great examples. Subscribe to relevant publications to stay on top of trends and insights in your field.
These informative resources help you stay current on what’s happening in your industry, which is fodder you can use in interviews and other employment conversations. Plus, these outlets could also flag some new companies or even training opportunities you could work toward.
7. Google
There are seemingly endless job boards to peruse. But if you’re tired of bouncing around, Google is a free tool that can help you pull job titles and postings from a variety of sites into one place.
Use it to:
- See open jobs across different platforms
- Search for career tips and advice
To get started, type “[role or position] job openings [location]” into your search bar, and you’ll see an entire “jobs” section pop up in the search results.
Google can also help you find relevant career advice. Whether you’re struggling to write a cover letter or need some tips for salary negotiation, you can find tons of valuable wisdom and examples there (and in Teal’s Career Hub, too).
8. Your existing network
There’s so much focus on forming new relationships when you’re job hunting, but your existing network can be just as helpful (if not more so).
Use it to:
- Identify new career opportunities
- Solicit career advice
Send personalized emails to let people know you’re searching for your next role and are actively looking for job prospects. Provide some details about what you’re looking for and your qualifications so your contacts can be as helpful as possible.
Your network can also help you with questions throughout your job search journey. For example, if you’re making a career change, you might know somebody who’s navigated that path already and can offer some words of wisdom and best practices.
9. Artificial intelligence
As you peruse available resources, you’re sure to come across some recommended uses of AI for job seekers. While most candidates think of employers using AI, it can be a huge boost in your job search.
Use it to:
- Craft your resume bullets, cover letter, communication to beat the blank page
- Prepare for interviews
…and plenty more. Just remember this AI job search caveat: AI is not intended to replace human touch. It’s there to supplement and support your efforts.
How to use job resources effectively
Finding the right resources for your job search is important, but it’s also only the first step. If you want them to make a meaningful difference, you need to know how to use them effectively.
That starts by not spreading yourself too thin. You don’t need all of the resources—you need the ones that address your specific problems or challenges.
Take some time to think about what you’re struggling with.
- Do you need help finding job postings?
- Standing out in front of hiring managers?
- Expanding your industry knowledge?
Job seekers' resources are seemingly endless, and knowing what you need will keep you focused (and keep you from feeling overwhelmed). Creating a strategic job search plan can also help you stay focused and motivated throughout your job search journey.
Finally, make the most of any job hunter’s resource you decide to use by being thoughtful and intentional. For example, if you’re going to set up a profile on job boards, take the time to do it well. Or if you’re going to reach out to your network, send a personalized email rather than a generic letter.
Job search management tools and resources are like any other resource—you get out of them what you put into them.
Simplify and support your job search
The job search can be intimidating, but the right resources can help you approach it with more confidence.
Find the resources that are the right match for you, and you’re on your way to a job search that’s more streamlined and strategic—and less disorganized and daunting.
Calm the chaos of your job search. Get started with Teal for free today.
