PASSWORDS, PASSWORDS, PASSWORDS

To get the most out of your job search, get organized. Looking for work will require creating accounts on many different websites, each with a username and password. Make a system that you can use to keep up with what is what. Dong on line applications is difficult enough already without having to do the reset password merry-go-round. Also, know how to get into your email on a regular desktop computer. I've seen people who just use their smart phone for email and forgot long ago their password. Smart phones get lost, break and are useless when you cannot pay the bill. Don't be dependent on your smart phone. Doing hour or two hour long applications on one is going to get old really fast. Don't have  computer? Somewhere in your town there is a library, a career center or internet cafe that has one to use for free. The first thing you will need is an email address you can get into.

If you are using a free computer somewhere, get a flash drive just for your job search. They are inexpensive and a great place to store resumes, cover letters and other related documents. Put on your key chain so you don't lose it. Job searching is difficult enough already without the added worry of identity theft. In addition to the flash drive, get a notebook with pockets to keep printed resumes and whatever else you need looking for work like reference letters or certifications. Hey, no password required!

You need to be efficient. Got an interview for a job you applied for three weeks ago? The better organized you are, the quicker you will be able to look back and reread the position requirements, qualifications and description. This is where passwords come in handy. Log back on and look up the job if you need to. The better organized you are, the easier it will be. Having a way to keep up with seemingly endless log ins and passwords is a small but vital part of any job search in 2018 and the years beyond.