So much to do, and so little time to do it. A common refrain among those looking for a job. Surprising as this may sound searching for a job can be overwhelming and frightening.

You’re looking for a job, researching companies, preparing for interviews, planning travel, getting your CV in shape and stay positive.

So where do you start and how can you keep a competitive edge? To me you must use all the tools that are out there which are free, then plan your work and work your plan. Here’s a planning check list to build into an excel spreadsheet. Use these headings as a guide and check list:

- Researched sites articles
- Your CV and covering letter
- List of sites you intend to visit, register CV etc
- Jobs Applied to (inc. where, date, job spec, contact details, link to companies career site)
- List of all your on-line networking groups plus your login for each
- Date of any interview plus link to Google maps, travel sites
- Details of any post interview “must do’s” or prep for 2nd interview

• Set up bookmarks for all the articles and sites you find that help your search for later reference.
• Is my CV up to date? If not go to specialist sites like FullerCV or go to Google and search CV. There are 100’s of sites giving tips on how to improve your CV.
• Find the job sites where you want to register your CV, look at services like Joboso. They will for free send your CV to multiple job sites of your choice and even check if you have put a CV there before and update it.
• Bookmark each board you find or use careersiteadvisor as your bookmark for all job sites.
• Cover letters. Get them written and ready, again sites like Careersiteadvisor and FullerCV have good tips on writing  cover letters
• Personal branding. Think about what you want, do you want a job (what are you qualified for or retrain) or become self employed, see personal branding tips here.
• Personal website creation – You may want to build a simple on-line site as a reference point (maybe buy your own url keithrobinson@keith.com)
• Networking. Get a Linkedin profile, a guide to “Building Your Linkedin profile” can be downloaded for free here.
• Social networking. Play, yes create time to play, go to Facebook, Twitter and sign up and start using them. Understand how they work, what they could do for you and become confident in using them.
• Job Searching. What job boards are out there that have the right jobs for you. Careersiteadvisor has thousands of career & job sites indexed with a direct links to all. What companies do you want to work for or might have a job for you and how do you find their career site
• Interview. Start to think about the interview even before you have one scheduled. Look on line and you will find lots of sites with tips about interviewing and there are some excellent books on the topic.

By spending a day or two at the start of your job search planning and building your library you will at each stage of your search have the information to support  you. This will save you time and a lot of stress later.

So what are the online tools that can help in your job search

1) Google Reader & Google Alerts

You don’t always want to be “searching” on Google. It takes time and you end a often repeating what you have done. So save your self tie by setting these Google tools once the information you want is brought to you. With Google tools you can:

•  Industry trends & news. Find relevant blogs by using Google search and type in search terms such as careers, jobs, and the ones you like subscribe to with your Google reader. BUT use your reader and everyday read them to see what information might help you (i.e. financial information on a company that you want to work for, or a PR release they are recruiting again).
• Subscribe to job search topics by keyword.  As well as researching which sites might have information relevant to you and bookmarking you should also subscribe to keywords using Google Alerts. You can aggregate articles related to interview tips, CV writing, cover letter writing, etc. You then get a daily alert with links to relevant news and articles.

2) CareerSiteAdvisor.com

3) Personal Websites/Online CV

Google has huge power over a recruiters view of you. First impressions count and 83% of employers Google potential applicants and 50% will make a judgment call on what they see and find. So you need to “standout” and build and manage “Brand You”.

• Blogs. There is no better way to establish your credibility in your field and show employers you are a thoughtful, continual learner. I’d recommend WordPress, TypePad or Blogger.
• Online/video CV.  Be very careful, there is a lot of talk about the “video CV” what I would suggest is if you have the “technical ability” and can build a simple You Tube video (these links) then do it BUT your CV is still your primary tool. Look at ,VisualCv and TalkingCV
• Your own on-line Personal Brand Site – see an example.

4) Twitter

Twitter is a powerful networking and promotional tool. You can build credibility, build meaningful networks, and even find a job. See article on how to use Twitter in more detail BUT top-line tips below.

• A profile to reflect “Brand you”.  Your profile should describe who you are, what you do and why you are in this community. Link to your other professional profiles.
• Build a meaningful network. Follow leaders, visionaries and the “experts” in your industry. Sites like Twellow, can help you do this, then interact with them and put yourself on their radar. Use the Twitter search function, to listen to conversations that related to your sector and start joining them.
• Be an expert/become an authority. Write and post interesting articles, Re-tweet things you find interesting/relevant from others, answer questions and reply to industry experts.
• Find new opportunities. Today there are sites such as Twitterjobsearch which search and find jobs on Twitter. Look but also share with your network what you are looking for.

5) LinkedIn

Linkedin is critical in the professional job seeking sector, recent research showed that 75% of job recruiters now use LinkedIn to research prospects. Translation: LinkedIn has the power to make or break your job chances.

• Your profile is King. The profile is not just a CV, it is your chance to show you, professionally and personally. Upload a head shot, add presentations and white papers, and post a few powerful recommendations.
• Build a meaningful, professional network. Search for people you have a connection with, through various affiliations: schools, companies, etc.
• Establish yourself as an authority. Join groups related to your industry. Answer questions, share insights, offer your help. Once again, establish yourself as a thoughtful, contributing member of your field.
• Authority = Credibility = New Opportunities.  You have proved yourself,  build credibility and trust with your group member. Then let them know you are looking for “something” and use your network to refer you.

These are not solutions to finding a job or making a career move, but are tools and techniques that if you well are a great aid. Plus they are all FREE, but you have to put the time and effort in to make them work for you.

Other links to help you:

• Linkedin – How to use.
• Facebook – How to use.
• Twitter – How to use
• Blogging – How to.

A new free to use tool which provides a one stop portal for job searching information, with it’s directory and links to over 600 UK job sites and an 1500 direct links to the career sites (no getting lost on the companies corporate homepage) of the UK’s leading employers. It also has a very good library of content both written and video covering topics such as “how to use the web to find a job” “Me a Brand” lots of information on the CV, Covering Letters and the Interview.