My goal has always been to exploit every job-related website as much as possible, without paying for any premium or membership. I dig deep to uncover their hidden treasures and make sure no capitalist gets a single cent of my money 🤓☝️ (well…, except for ChatGPT). By combining all these free resources and arming myself with ChatGPT, I turned into a relentless job-searching machine. Results: 3 internships during college, and 2 full-time offers before graduation.
Thanks for all the awesome recs! Share your secret free job hunting tools in the comments, I’ll keep the post updated! ;)
Resume Customization:
Any resume tools: No paid resume websites are required. You just need an ATS-friendly template, and the resume content can be completely generated by ChatGPT. Just ask it to tailor your experience for the roles you're applying to. Earn Better: a good basis for a resume/ cover letter.
Coursera: No need to buy or complete any certifications. Each course section costs around $200, a complete waste of money. The only feature is that it links to your LinkedIn, which I honestly don’t see any value in. No recruiter will take it seriously. If you urgently need practical skills, just go to YouTube. Your library may well have online training courses and certifications for free. Sometimes they are buried in sections of the website called "Digital Resources" or "Learning Opportunities."
Interview Prep: exploit their free resources
AMA Interview: 1. Only after registering, you can check their free real question banks covering many positions. 2. Their free chrome extension can predict LinkedIn job posting interview questions (It claims to predict based on the company's historical question database, but I truly met the same questions when I interviewed with BCG).
Exponents: I won't tell anyone that most of their paid courses can be checked for free on YouTube...
Job application: different websites for different target roles
Handshake: Better for Startups & Student Internships. Especially useful for students. Many schools are partnered with Handshake, and I personally landed 2 internships through it. It’s reliable and often features companies actively hiring students.
LinkedIn: Better for Large & Mid-Sized Companies: 1.Find jobs posted in the past 1 hour: change 86400 in the job search URL to 3600 2.Follow as many team leaders as you can find: They often post job openings directly on their LinkedIn pages instead of official listings. Many will ask candidates to comment on their background under the post or leave an email. If your background fits what they’re looking for, they will reach out to you for an interview! 3. Recommend trying to post something weekly and being active in comments/discussions, that also seems to help boost recruiters finding your account and maybe reaching out. 4.Bookmarking nearby major companies career portals that you’re interested working for. They might post something there before they post something on LinkedIn.
Indeed: Better for Mid-Sized & Small Companies: A great place for entry-level roles and non-tech positions. Application process is simple, but roles can be highly competitive due to the volume of applicants.
Monster: seems like a dead site, but you can got a lot of recruiters finding you through their site (so just create an account and make sure you keep it updated) HiringCafe: good filters
Idealist & We work remotely : used for a lot of nonprofit work.
Jobadvisor:
This is a fantastic and resourceful guide to navigating the job hunt without breaking the bank! You've clearly put in the work to uncover the free gems each platform offers. Let's break down your points and add some more insights and tools to the mix.
Your Savvy Strategies Deconstructed:
- Resume Customization: You're spot on about ATS-friendly templates being key. Many free templates are available online (Canva, Google Docs templates, etc.). Leveraging ChatGPT to tailor content is a smart move for efficiency and targeting specific roles. Earn Better seems like a useful starting point.
- Coursera: Your assessment is accurate. While certifications can be valuable for demonstrating commitment and knowledge, the paywalled individual course sections might not be the most efficient way to gain skills for a job hunt. YouTube is indeed a treasure trove of free tutorials. Don't forget platforms like edX (some free audit options), Khan Academy, and even university open courseware. Your library tip is golden – many offer free access to platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Skillshare.
- Interview Prep: Exploiting free resources is the way to go!
- AMA Interview: This sounds like a valuable resource for real question banks. The Chrome extension predicting LinkedIn questions is intriguing – the fact that you encountered those questions in a BCG interview speaks volumes!
- Exponents: The YouTube tip is a clever workaround for accessing course content.
- Job Application - Different Websites for Different Target Roles: This targeted approach is highly effective.
- Handshake: Absolutely the go-to for student internships and many entry-level roles at startups. The university partnerships make it a direct line to opportunities.
- LinkedIn: Your hacks are excellent!
- Filtering by recent posts (modifying the URL) is a pro tip for staying ahead of the curve.
- Connecting with and following team leaders is a proactive way to uncover hidden opportunities. Many hiring managers do announce openings directly on their profiles. Engaging with their content and commenting thoughtfully can definitely increase visibility.
- Consistent posting and engagement can build your professional brand and make you more discoverable by recruiters.
- Bookmarking company career portals is essential. Often, roles are posted there first before appearing on job boards.
- Indeed: A solid platform for a wide range of roles, especially entry-level and non-tech. Be prepared for a higher volume of applicants.
- Monster: It's interesting that you've found recruiters actively using it. Maintaining a presence there, even if it seems less active, could be beneficial.
- HiringCafe: Good to know it has useful filters for refining searches.
- Idealist & We Work Remotely: Essential resources for those seeking non-profit and remote positions, respectively.
Expanding Your Arsenal of Free Job Hunting Tools:
Here are some additional free tools and strategies to consider:
- Google Alerts: Set up alerts for specific job titles, companies you're interested in, and keywords related to your field. This can help you stay informed about new openings as soon as they are posted online.
- Company Websites (Beyond Career Portals): Explore the "About Us," "News," and "People" sections of company websites. You might find information about company culture, recent projects, and employee profiles that can inform your applications and interviews. Sometimes, they even mention unadvertised openings.
- Professional Associations: Many industries have professional associations that offer job boards, networking events (often free for members or students), and resources for career development.
- Informational Interviews: Reach out to people working in roles or companies you're interested in for informational interviews. This isn't directly a job application, but it's a fantastic way to learn about the field, gain insights, and potentially build connections that could lead to opportunities. LinkedIn is great for finding people to connect with for this purpose.
- Networking Events (Free or Low-Cost): Look for free or low-cost industry events, meetups, or career fairs. These provide opportunities to connect with professionals in your field.
- University Alumni Networks: If you're a graduate, your university's alumni network can be a powerful resource for job leads and connections. Many universities have online platforms or host alumni events.
- Government Job Boards: Depending on your location and interests, government job boards can list a wide range of opportunities at various levels.
- Free Online Portfolio Websites: If you're in a creative or technical field, having an online portfolio to showcase your work is crucial. Platforms like Behance, GitHub Pages, and even free tiers of website builders can help you create one.
- Cover Letter Builders (Free Versions): While ChatGPT is excellent, some free online cover letter builders can help with formatting and structure. Be sure to customize the content significantly.
- Salary Comparison Websites (for Research): Use free resources like Glassdoor (be mindful of the data's source) and Payscale to research salary ranges for different roles and locations. This can help you negotiate effectively.
- Social Media Beyond LinkedIn: Depending on your industry, platforms like Twitter or even industry-specific forums can sometimes have job postings or discussions about opportunities.
Key Takeaways for the $0 Job Hunter:
- Be Proactive: Don't just rely on applying to listed jobs. Network, research companies directly, and make your presence known.
- Be Persistent: The job hunt can be challenging. Don't get discouraged by rejections. Keep refining your approach and applying.
- Be Strategic: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each role. Understand the requirements and highlight your relevant skills and experiences.
- Leverage Your Network: Let your friends, family, and former colleagues know you're looking for a job. Personal referrals can be incredibly powerful.
- Stay Organized: Keep track of your applications, contacts, and interview dates. A simple spreadsheet can be very helpful.
You've built a strong foundation for your job search by creatively utilizing free resources. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep that relentless job-searching machine running! Your success with internships and full-time offers before graduation is a testament to your resourceful approach. Good luck with your future endeavors!
