Today, finding a new career is easier than ever and you don’t even have to leave your chair. Online tools are now available to make finding that dream job as easy as a few mouse clicks.

Recommended reading: 4 Ways to Start Your Career Online

There are six effective online tools that aid in preparing you to find the new career you fantasize about. Whether you are looking for opportunities in healthcare, or your dream is to design websites, taking advantage of these online tools will help jumpstart that career you’ve always wanted.

Image via Flickr by Sheila Scarborough

National Associations

Most career fields have national associations. You can find important information about qualifications, certifications and available jobs through these associations. The ASAE is an all-encompassing association for professionals. Members can learn more about career development, sign up for career coaching and post their résumés. Top companies often list available positions with national associations. Also, they usually have a forum where you can ask questions and network with other professionals. Sometimes who you know can help you get your foot in the door.

LinkedIn

Everybody has heard of LinkedIn but not everyone uses it correctly. If used properly, this site is key in commencing a great career and can showcase your talents. Careerbuilder suggests you build a strong profile on LinkedIn instead of just posting a résumé. If you use the site to showcase your accomplishments and highlight your goals, companies seeking high quality employees are more likely to take notice. LinkedIn is also a great place to network. Look for people with similar interests and get to know them.

Company Websites

This may seem like a no brainer, but it’s often an overlooked option as a tool to find a career online. If you know what company, or companies, you would like to work with then study their websites. Most larger companies have an online career section. Study it, apply for positions of interest and include a cover letter. Cover letters are a way to stand out from the crowd. You can use language that highlights the company’s vision statement while you offer ironclad reasons why you are the best choice in a candidate.

Social Media

Facebook and Twitter are two of the best places to network and get your name out when contemplating a new career. On Twitter, a basic keyword search for the type of career you want will bring back many suggestions of people to follow. Follow people within companies for which you would like to work and then interact with them. Remember your social media page reflects how you want them to perceive you. Change it up. Put content with merit out there for them to see as well as retweet, favor, and reply. Showing you are well-rounded will be appealing to those you want to take notice.

Google Search

Just a basic Google search of jobs will bring up all the major job search engines. From there you can search CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, and many more. When searching one of these big sites, try to not get hung up on a job title. For example, if you’re interested in marketing, vary the titles in the search box and you will find more listings. A social worker can also be titled a case management aide or a youth worker.

Continued Education

If you are thinking about going a different direction with a career and lack qualification, online continued education is an option. It is also a great option if you are looking to move up from a support position into management. For example, many positions require a social work degree along with experience to qualify for positions. It is now possible to work towarddegrees or certificates needed to jumpstart a new career without giving up your current job. Also, through online education you can take advantage of internships, networking, and Facebook groups that help you connect with companies while you are in school for a better chance of landing that job upon graduation.

Now that you have more information about how to land that new career you have always wanted by using these six online tools, what is stopping you? You are just a few clicks away from landing that dream job.