Technology Blog

The Best iPhone Apps for the Unemployed

Looking for a new job? Put that expensive iPhone and data plan to work with these ten iPhone apps for job seekers.

 Job hunting sucks. And while you might be kicking yourself if your expensive AT&T data contract outlasted your last job, you can actually put that data plan and iPhone to work for you in your job hunt. 
For instance, you'll be the first to see new job listings as you browse through CareerBuilder listings in the supermarket checkout line. You'll always have an electronic résumé and business card on hand, ready to send to any contact you meet with beamME CV. And you'll have access to tons of finance tools like Mint, ensuring that you always stay within your budget, no matter how tight it might be. Check out our picks for the best iPhone apps for job hunters, and good luck in your search. 




beamME CV ($9.99)
This nifty iPhone app offers a way to have a business card and professional résumé ready at all times. Upload your résumé and create your own vCard using the app and beamME CV will let you easily send them to any e-mail address or phone number (even to non-smartphones).


Craigster ($0.99)
Craigster is a full-featured craigslist app that gives you access to the site's postings and lets you post your own classified ads to the site. Search for full-time jobs and freelancing gigs, and if you strike out, post a for-sale ad to sell your precious iPhone. That thing'll feed you for a couple weeks, at least.


iTie (premium, $1.99; standard, free)
Wearing a tie to your job interview? There is more than one way to tie a necktie, and some knots look better with some ties and collars than with others. iTie includes picture tutorials on 12 different knots, with information on which occasions and ties they're suitable for.


JobCompass (free, for a limited time)
This location-based job finder app tracks down job openings in your immediate vicinity by keyword. Great for dropping in unannounced at the offices of hiring firms. (But don't actually do that.)


Jobs (free)
The Jobs application by CareerBuilder is similar to JobCompass, letting you search job listings by keyword and location—only the results are a bit prettier, and there's no on-screen map. The app also lets you collect prospective job listings that you can e-mail to yourself for later follow-up.


















LinkedIn (free)
You never know when someone in your LinkedIn network is going to post a lead on a job opening, or when you'll meet someone that should be part of your network. LinkedIn's iPhone app lets you keep up with your professional connections from anywhere.


Mint (free)
If money is tight while you're looking for gainful employment, Mint.com can help you track your expenses and create an appropriate budget. The iPhone app might be even more useful than the Web service, as it lets you keep track of your budget when you're actually in a store, about to blow it.


Toodledo (free)
Keep track of appointments, interviews, due dates, and everything else with this free to-do list app, which syncs with Toodledo's free Web version. Remember The Milk also has a complementary iPhone app, though you need a Pro account to use it ($25 per year).


Wi-Fi Finder (free)
Looking for a local Wi-Fi hot spot where you can work on your résumé while drinking coffee? Wi-Fi Finder uses your current location and presents you with a list of nearby hot spots from JiWire's hot-spot database.


WifiTrak ($1.99)
Wi-Fi Finder is great, but what if you need a free Wi-Fi connection right now? WifiTrak gives you a list of networks in your area and determines the networks' strength and accessibility.

(from internet)