Most college students can agree that the job hunt is getting more and more competitive each year. In addition to having a well-polished resume and a positive attitude, employers expect potential employees to have a fully professional online presence as well. To make things a little easier for all you motivated and tech-savvy ladies who are looking to keep up with the hottest career web tools, we’ve rounded up six great professional websites that you should be bookmarking ASAP.
1. Levo League
Who it’s for: Career-driven women looking for a guide to the workforce from a female perspective.
How it works: Think of Levo League as an online informational interview, career services office, and networking site all rolled into one. Not to mention that the site is totally rocking the Girl Power badge by being 100 percent exclusive to female professionals.
“Basically, their mission is to empower women in the workforce by giving us awesome mentors,” says Brown senior Clara Beyer. She uses the site to get tips from those who have already made it in her career field. “It’s also a blog that gives career and workplace advice, ranging from wardrobe tips to how to get a promotion,” she says.
The site also offers awesome perks for their users, like 30-minute video Q&A sessions with successful professionals and a customizable job and internship search. The best part? Signing up for the site is free and as easy as entering a valid email address.
2. Purzue
Who it’s for: The first-time resume writer.
How it works: If you’re having a hard time creating or updating your resume Purzue should be your go-to tool. The site makes it super easy to create a resume from scratch through its step-by-step navigation tool that guides users through the process and offers suggestions. If you are already on LinkedIn or have your employment information on Facebook, you can also easily import your job info onto the site.
Purzue operates on an awesome cloud system, which means you can access your resume on all your electronic devices through their app. You can also convert your resume to a PDF file to print a hard copy. The first resume that users create is free, and collegiettes can have their CV reviewed by a professional for $99.95 per resume. A premium service is also offered that allows users to create multiple resumes and see who is viewing their resume. The site also offers social media sharing tools for all users, making it super easy for recruiters to reach you if they want to get in touch.
3. Pressfolios
Who it’s for: Aspiring journalists.
How it works: Pressfolios provides a place on the internet for journalists, writers, reporters, bloggers, and any other professionals who want to showcase their writing samples. The site is set up so that you can provide links to published works online along with brief descriptions. In addition, you chose the stories that you want to be featured on the “front page” and the order that you want them to appear to viewers. You can also create a profile that showcases your best skills and allows you to connect with other users in your field.
“It’s almost like mixing Google Plus with LinkedIn and Facebook,” says UNC-Chapel Hill sophomore Gabbie Cirelli. Unfortunately, there is currently a wait list to create an account on the website because the site is still in a software testing private beta mode. However, many schools, organizations, and publications have free access codes for their members to sign up for the site without waiting on a list. If you are interested in setting up a Pressfolios account, be sure to reach out to networks you are a part of, such as your school newspaper or major department, to see if they have an access code.
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4. CareerRookie
Who it’s for: The first-time job- or internship-seeker.
How it works: For those on the job hunt fresh out of college, try out CareerRookie. CareerRookie is a subdivision of CareerBuilder, the largest employment website in the United States, made specifically for students and recent grads. The site works to connect young professionals looking for entry-level jobs and internships with some of the nation’s top employers. The site also offers cool features specifically tailored to students, such as alerts for entry-level job openings and local career fairs. CareerRookie also lets users access industry-specific advice and post their resumes on the site for potential employers to see, all as part of its free membership.
5. Priority Candidates, Inc.
Who it’s for: The jobless grad.
How it works: Priority Candidates, Inc. is a career coaching service specifically created for college seniors and recent grads. The site offers services ranging from a quick and intense resume reboot to a one-on-one personalized program to help you through every aspect of the job search.
The program can be a little expensive, especially for a collegiette’s budget, with services starting at $250. However, the site’s creator, Lesley Mitler, offers free career advice to all students through regularly updated blog posts. Mitler’s blog post topics include everything from tips for managing a quarter-life crisis to how to create your own personal brand.
6. about.me
Who it’s for: The HTML/CSS illiterate.
How it works: Having your own personal website is one of the best ways to stand out among your peers in the professional world. But, crafting up a site that is functional is harder than it seems. Throw the design element into the mix, and you may think you’re done for in terms of looking professional, unless you’re fluent in HTML. However, about.me makes creating your own professional website a breeze by taking the confusing codes out of the mix.
about.me gives users a central point of contact by allowing them to put all of their links in one place to give viewers their complete professional background. Unlike LinkedIn, viewers don’t need to have an account to view your profile, which makes your information a lot more accessible.
In addition to this, about.me offers awesome perks with its free membership, such as an iPhone app, a pack of free business cards, and an about.me email address.
Now that you’ve got the lowdown on these sites, it’s time to check them out for yourself! Don’t be afraid to try a few out and see what works best for you. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and test the career-building waters! Don’t forget to step back and tell us which of the sites were your favorites, or if we left any must-use career advancing sites off the list.