TORC

Smartphone applications now designed to assist with career management

Smartphone penetration in the US is expected to exceed 50% in 2011, and the range of applications continues to explode across all platforms – Apple iPhone, Google Android, RIM Blackberry, Microsoft, HP-Palm.  

Even though current indications suggest that the market is moving more and more to the open-source Android – the Apple iPhone, with about 25% of the market, has still some of the best apps available.  

In the area of Career Management, here are 7 that particularly stand out:  

1.  Career Values
This app comes from career coach, Hazel Russo, who uses this type of approach with clients who are looking to change or develop their careers.  

Her thesis is that once people understand their career values, they have a tool they can use to make decisions, make changes and take command of their career.  

The app is designed to help:
• Identify what motivates you (your top five career values)
• See how to use that in practice in your job and career (action tips).  

The overall idea is that when you are working in line with your career values, you feel more satisfied and happy.  

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/career-values/id329046480?mt=8#

2. What Color Is Your Parachute? Job-Interview Tool
This app is from the career guru Richard N. Bolles’ stable.  

It provides interview advice on the go – including the best ways to prepare for a job-interview, what to bring, and how to make a great first impression.  

It also reveals 5 interview questions that you’ll have to answer—along with 5 questions to ask. And, there is also a section on the top 10 mistakes to avoid and lots of tips on how to stand out—and win the job.  

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/what-color-is-your-parachute/id396941600?mt=8 

3. Great Career
This app has been adapted from the work of best-selling author and business thinker Stephen Covey and his associate Jennifer Colosimo.  It guides you on how to create your own career opportunities, build relationships with key support people, improve your resume writing, etc. It tries to give specific solutions (instead of broad term key answers) on what you should do to accomplish your career goals. You can search through chapters via keywords of whatever you are interested at a time. You can bookmark your favorites. You can also connect to the community centre and ask career related questions!  

Link: http://www.franklincovey.com/tc/promo/gwgc?utm_source=FC&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=GWGC_299 

4. Career Manager
This is an app from Harvey Nash plc. Very simple and straight to the point advice packaged in a friendly use application.  It includes tips on some of the key elements of successful job landing, like basics and common mistakes of salary negotiation, how to write impact executive CVs, how to be found by a headhunter and how to prepare for an interview.  If you are contemplating on a possible career change, this tool will help you set you thinking on how to get there!  

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/sa/app/career-manager/id324691035?mt=8#  

5. Jobs & Career Test
This application is build around a test to help your personal development. It will evaluate your personality type in six factors (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) by answering very simple Yes/No questions. It will help you nail down your strengths, identify areas for development, and show your workplace preferences.  The results can help you predict your own satisfaction in a specific job and company.  

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/jobs-career-test/id392340531?mt=8#  

6. LinkedIn
If you use Linkedin regularly – you may be interested in this. Without a need to pull out your laptop, you can check messages, invite people to connect, review updates and send messages to your connections. Basically, you have full access to all features of your, lists and contacts so you don’t miss any updates on the go. If you are currently looking for a job – it’s a good tool to maximize your chances of coming across the best opportunities.  The application is easy and straight forward to navigate around.   

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/linkedin/id288429040?mt=8 

7. Monster Jobs
If you use Monster.com, you may want this app. It’s free, and makes your Monster.com accessible from anywhere. 

The interface is very easy to use inside this application. You can use website’s most featured tools. You can apply for jobs directly through the application.    

Link: http://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/monster-jobs/id388924653?mt=8 

If you have other favourite career management apps, that you’d like to share – please leave details in the comment  section below. Thank you!

PS. For further career management tips, please click on the following Torc links:
1. interview preparation
2. panel interviews
3. the interview X-factor
4. assessment centres
5. franchising options
6. career change 
7. career books

PPS. If you enjoyed this article, why not refer a friend to sign up for our newsletter on the homepage.