The only proper tool you will need, when doing job researches, is a computer connected to the internet: a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop. I do not think you can do a job application from a smartwatch, but you can try if you want.

From your computer of choice, there are many programs or apps you can use that are already downloaded or that you can download from your specific app store. In this article we will not talk about the specific ones, but more about the general category of apps you will need. These are going to be the digital tools you need for job researching.

Calendar

The first program we will talk about is the calendar. We already mentioned how a calendar can be useful in this article.

With a calendar you will be able to organize your time. You can create events or activities, often, and schedule the way you want to use your day, week, month and year. Planning is a powerful tool to keep yourself organized, so you can do job researching more efficiently.

A “things to do” manager

Another app I would advise to get is a “things to do” manager. You will have to keep track of a lot of things while searching for a job, and a manager of this kind will help you not to forget anything. 

Often these programs will let you organize your “to do items” in categories, so you can divide your items according to the projects or activities you are doing. Let’s say you are preparing a specific job application. You can create a new section in your app with all the things you have to prepare. 

I also already did that for you. Feel free to download, if you want, my free “Job application checklist”.

If you do not want to use a specific program for to-do lists, you can also write them easily into a document. For that, you will need a word processor.

Word processor

What is a word processor? It is a simple program that has everything you need to write a document, a letter, a note for yourself, and things like that. I am using one to write this article. 

We were saying that you can use a word processor if you want to write to-do lists, but often you will use it to write physical letters you will print out. And maybe, if you don’t want to write long emails in the email program, you will also use it for that. 

Another purpose would be to use a word processor instead of a notes app, so to write your personal notes in documents, just like you would with a pen and paper.

Email app

This is a very important app you will have to learn how to use it very well. Emails are one of the most common ways in which job applications are sent and received, and communications are often handled by email, just like in a normal job. 

If you decide to write your job applications directly in the email program, I would advise you to be careful and check if it saves the draft of your emails while you write them. You do not want to write a full job application and lose it in the process of sending it. 

Also, be careful to check that you haven’t made any mistakes in writing the recipient address.

File management program

Your file manager will be the place where you store all your documents and files. If you want to check out a method to organize them, be sure to have a look at my “Mini course: how to be digitally organized while unemployed – Ebook” (anche in versione italiana!).

Scanning app

If you do not do your job research at your desk at home by your scanner, a scanning app will be a great substitute. Using a phone or tablet to scan things will be an easy way of do it, even if the scan will not result perfect just like they would with a scanner. 

The scan will also take a bit more time to take, because maybe you will have to cut the image, and also to rename the file, but once you do it and save the scan in your file management program, it will be ready to use, maybe like attached to an email of a job application.

Phone and messages app

Even though they are called “phones”, maybe we do not use them to actually phone or text people. But at one point or another you will have to meet the people that are hiring you and schedule a meeting, ask some questions about the job, or maybe the job interview will be done by phone or video call. Either way, take your time to set up your phone, messages and video calling apps so that you are sure that they will work well when you need them to.

Personal finances

This is not directly related to job researching, but I wanted to include an observation about personal finances apps. Money is an important and delicate matter in the period of unemployment, so you want to particularly pay attention to it. A finances app will help you to do so.

Maybe you also already have a personal method for managing your finances. Maybe you write your entries and expenses in a document, or you use some budgeting app. If not, you can start by downloading the app of the bank that manages your personal account, to have a look at your finances.

Conclusion

There are many instruments that can help you when doing job researching. From a word processor to an email program and even the phone app, they are the tools you will need, probably, to find a new job.