At some point in our lives, we are forced to decide what career path we want to follow. Usually, we follow the path laid out for us, informed by choices we made back in high school when our minds were young and impressionable. Occasionally, however, we venture down the path less traveled.
No matter which path you choose, the quest to find a job is a less-than-glorious undertaking. Many adversaries can try to impede your way, threatening to knock you off course – and sometimes, they succeed. The undeniable truth of the job search is this: you either find what you are looking for or something else finds you.
Of course, things are much easier nowadays. Instead of following the trails of those who have gone before us, many resources now exist which allow us to blaze our own. And though the challenges remain, with enough guidance and the proper tools, you should feel more confident enough to face up to them.
What is Glassdoor?
Glassdoor is the proper tool about which we speak. Glassdoor is the ultimate resource for those caught in the throes of the job market looking for a way out. It is a digital platform that gathers information about the companies you may end up working for, including reviews from employees, both past and present, salaries, and – yes – even job openings.
And the best part about all of this?
It is completely free.
What’s the catch?
Online resources billed as “free” tend to blindside their users with features and content restrictions, which can only be unlocked if you are willing to spend a little green.
This is not the case with Glassdoor. Although the information they provide is extensive, comprehensive, and sometimes enlightening, it comes free of any price tag. But that is not all: the site also offers insights into the average salary of your chosen industry or geographic location, giving you a clear idea of what to expect when signing up for a job and how to tell if someone may be lowballing your wages.
And as if that was not enough, Glassdoor also provides access to a blog covering a broad range of topics relating to different industries and the job market in general and career guides to help you on your way. Like everything else on the site, they are both completely free.
However, while Glassdoor will never ask you for a single dime to access every feature on the site (such as searching and applying for specific jobs), you will have to write a review of either a company, benefits package, or salary. Once that is done, the whole site is yours to explore.
How does it all work?
Think of Glassdoor as a nexus for every company and job listing on the Internet. The site compiles thousands of reviews, postings, and other information that prospective employees will find useful (such as the salary mentioned in earlier breakdowns and analyses).
This information is freely accessible – anyone can hop onto Glassdoor and search for a specific company. At this point, they will be provided with reviews and potential job openings. Similarly, anyone can upload their CV to Glassdoor for potential employers to review.
First, however, anyone looking to make use of Glassdoor’s wealth of resources will need to create an account. This process is as simple as inputting your email and creating a password. Once that is done, you pretty much have unrestricted access to all of the site’s content.
Additionally, having an account is useful for keeping track of the jobs you have applied for. Your account keeps stock of every bit of correspondence you and your potential employers share.
However, before you can cut to the meat of searching and applying for specific jobs, you will need to leave a review of either a company or their interview process, benefits package, or salary. Fortunately, this process – like creating an account – is quick and easy and should not take up more than a couple of minutes of your time.
Suppose it is privacy and confidentiality that you are worried about. In that case, rest assured that Glassdoor will never share your private information with anyone (barring that which you include on your profile or CV), and any review you write will be completely anonymous.
The Big Question: Can it help you find a job?
At this point, you should have a clear idea of exactly what Glassdoor is and how it works. It may be unclear, however, as to how it can help you find the job you are looking for.
One abundantly clear thing is that Glassdoor can definitely aid you in searching for good, honest work. However, while the site is full of helpful features and resources, you will still need to put in a little elbow grease to find the job you are looking for.
To start, you should complete your Glassdoor profile. You can do this manually or upload your CV or Linkedin profile. When you are finished, find your way back to the Glassdoor homepage, then click on the “Jobs” tab. Here, you can enter titles or keywords into the search bar to narrow your search.
Hit “Search,” and the site will provide you with an array of results related to the keywords you inputted. If, at first, you do not see what you are looking for, use the filters to narrow the results down even further. You can filter by job type, date posted, salary, location, company ratings, etc.
Once you have found a job that piques your interest, click “Apply Now.” Some jobs can be applied for from Glassdoor directly, at which point you will be prompted to enter your information and upload your CV. Others may direct you to a company website.
From there, it is all up to you and what you do, but Glassdoor does a pretty good job of equipping you with all the tools and knowledge you need to start with your best foot forward.
