Looking for a manufacturing job isn’t the same process it was 30, 20 or even 10 years ago.

Technology has given the manufacturing job seeker access to powerful software tools that, with some degree of hard work, can reap massive dividends.

These tools typically fall into one of three categories: Coaching, networking and optimization. Coaching tools help you gain the skills needed to land that next job. Networking tools are great for expanding your reach and growing your professional database. Optimization tools either expand the power of preexisting job search techniques or give you a whole new way to land that next manufacturing job.

LearnUp

LearnUp co-founder Alexis Ringwald got the idea for her coaching platform when she noticed a disconnect between skills employers were looking for and those that entry-level candidates had … or didn’t have.

An exciting tool to help your job search, LearnUp is a platform with multiple modules that a job seeker can use to better understand what a particular job demands before they submit an application. The modules include interview questions, coaching and skills training.

Lasting between three and 10 minutes, LearnUp modules might address subjects like how to use office equipment or software programs. The modules are grouped into one-hour sessions for specific jobs.

SnapDat

In the same way that LinkedIn is a social network for professionals, SnapDat is a contacts app made specifically for business purposes. The app’s biggest feature is giving users the ability to create, manage and exchange virtual business cards. Virtual card can be shared over email, beamed between devices or sent to other SnapDat users through the app. Non-members receive cards as standard vCard attachments. When you get a new card on your mobile device, it can be automatically transcribed into your Contacts list.

The app also allows for users to create multiple cards using a number of preset templates for different business or situations. This means you can have a card made up specifically for that conference you’re attending or your catering business you run on the weekends.

Jobscan

Resumes are often submitted to a company that won’t even see them with a human eyes before the document has been scanned by a software program looking for key words and phrases.

Jobscan takes this fact of modern-day recruiting and turns it on its head by helping job seekers specifically tailor their resume to jump out from the crowd when a company uses automated application software.

Using Jobscan, job seekers can see how often key terms and phrases are appearing in a job description.  They can then compare the frequency of these terms to how often they appear in their own resume.

The company claims its software can detect key terms used by 90 percent of employers.

At Cornerstone, we have a wide range of software tools that job seekers can access. If you’re looking to automate and optimize your effort, please contact us today for a free consultation and to see what opportunities we have in store.