Why You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 Ideas

Why You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 IdeasWhy You Should Use Google Drive for Your Job Search 6 IdeasGoogle Drive is a useful, free tool that job seekers can use to create resumes, keep job search records, and more. But do you ever use Google Drive as part of your job search tool belt? You might be surprised at some of the ways using Google Drive for your job search will be beneficial.What is Google Drive?Do you have a Google, YouTube, or Gmail account? If so, you already have access to a powerful and free tool for your job search- Google Drive. Google Drive defines itself as a file storage and synchronization service, but what that means for us regular people is that you can create, edit, and store numerous documents, spreadsheets, presentations, slideshows, and much more in the cloud, through Google, and be able to access those things from wherever you happen to be at the moment.When I first started using Google Drive, I found it helpful to think of it as the Micro soft Office of the Internet. Microsoft Office has programs like stimmt, Excel, and PowerPoint, and its what most people use to create documents like resumes, cover letters, job search task tracking sheets, and interview presentations.But because Drive is inherently interactive and shareable, it becomes a much more powerful tool for your job search tool belt.Here are six ideasto use Google Drive for your job search1. Build your resume on Google Docs, and save it as a PDF.Google Docs is the Word-equivalent of Google Drive and can be used to create your resume. Once youve got the perfect resume created, you can download it as a Word document or PDF, and you can share it with anyone, either with or without editing privileges.2. Share your resume with friends to get feedback.The ease of sharing a Google Doc means you can get real-time feedback about your resume from friends and networking contacts. They can leave comments and markups on the document, or you can both view the same documen t at the same time while you chat on the phone, which makes incorporating their edits and suggestions incredibly easy.3. Use Google Sheets to track your job search progress.Im a big fan of tracking the progress you make throughout your job search. Which companies youre researching, which jobs youre applying to, and which people youve networked or interviewed with- those are all key data points to track. And Google Sheets, the equivalent of Microsoft Excel, makes it easy to update your progress wherever you have access to the Internet. Whether youre job searching from your smartphone, the library, your home office, or the coffee shop, you wont have to wait to update your Excel spreadsheet when you get back to your computer.4. Create slideshow presentations to showcase your work.If youre in a field where job search portfolios or work samples are an important part of the job search, Google Slides is a helpful tool. Much like PowerPoint, Google Slides lets you create visually appealing slideshows that highlight your skills, experience, and work samples. And like everything on Google Drive, its easily downloadable as a PowerPoint or PDF. You can also publish your slideshow to the web, so if you have your own website or blog, embedding your portfolio slideshow is easy. And every time you update your slides, the embedded slideshow automatically updates, so everything stays current.5. Use folders to keep track of each job application and interview. In addition to the Google Sheet you use to compile all your job search activities, creating a folder for each and every company you interact with is a great way to keep things straight. Googles folder options allow you to group things like your cover letter, resume, work samples, and references into one place, so you can easily access whatever youve submitted to that company. And because every resume and cover letter you send is unique to the particular job and company (right??), folders help you keep everything straight so youre bedrngnis submitting the wrong documents to the wrong company.6. Learn how Google Drive works to add a skill to your resumeGoogle Drive isnt just a personal document collaboration tool- a lot of businesses are using it, too. Learning how to use Google Drive gives you a great skill to add to your resume. And if youre interested in remote companies with distributed teams, its likely they use document collaboration tools like Google Drive, so you better know your way around it.The thing I like most about Google Drive for job searching is that it gives you access to all your job search documents and info wherever you are. As long as youve got a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with you, youre connected. On a work trip? Visiting family over the holidays? On the bus commuting home? Its frustrating to wait until you get home to follow up, especially if youre not the most patient person (like me).If you need to send a resume quickly, or remember exactly what you said in a cover letter b ecause youve just been offered an interview, Google Drive is right there. And in a job search, the ability to act quickly can increase your chances at scoring an interview or landing a job. is another great tool that can help with your job search. Register today and browse flexible jobs in over 50 categoriesReaders, do you useGoogle Drive in your job search? What other tools do you use? Share your tips by leaving a comment