The job market is a competitive place. Companies and businesses receive hundreds of applications when they advertise a new vacancy, and many choose to refuse applications after a certain threshold has been reached, regardless of the quality of applicants that they have received. It can be particularly difficult to find employment in specialized industries, and these conditions have meant that many job seekers are being forced to apply for positions that they are overqualified for and generally uninterested in. While job search websites are typically thought to be the best way to find a new job, many Android apps have added features that can search wider and refine results more efficiently.

The following 5 Android apps will give job hunters the best advantage for finding employment:

1. Government Jobs
Price: Free
Download: Google Play

With many long-term prospects and perks, government and civil service vacancies are highly sought after by job hunters. However, it can be difficult finding job advertisements because agencies and local authorities have different methods of recruitment. Some only advertise on certain job search engines, while others stick to their departmental websites. The Government Jobs app is an up-to-date resource that lists all available online government vacancies. The app also contains exclusive career development tips and advice from international expert speakers.

2. GetAJob
Price: Free
Download: Google Play

Collating vacancies that have been listed on the most popular job websites, GetAJob is a powerful app that retrieves hundreds of suitable positions from just a few search keywords. The results can be displayed by company or job title, and the app can pin-point the location of vacancies on a local map. GetAJob is also able to integrate with the EverNote note-taking app, so users can annotate and tag vacancies that they are interested in. GetAJob’s powerful and intuitive user interface makes it one the most useful apps for managing and searching for employment opportunities.

3. Job Search Hire-A-Droid
Price: Free
Download: Google Play

The Job Search Hire-A-Droid app is a multi-functional tool for those who are serious about finding the perfect job. As well as searching some of the most exhaustive job websites such as LinkedIn, SimplyHired and Indeed, the app also supports searches across multiple countries. With just one query, users can search with strict criteria (including only retrieving results from specific companies) to find suitable vacancies across the globe.

4. LinkUp
Price: Free
Download: Google Play

It may have a simple design, but LinkUp is one of the most powerful job searching apps available. The app retrieves available positions straight from company websites, so it lists many job vacancies that are typically unadvertised by other searches. Also, as LinkUp has RSS integration, smart phones are able to automatically receive and display new vacancies soon after they have been posted. Users can also use job alerts via email if they prefer not to use RSS.

5. Monster
Price: Free
Download: Google Play

With thousands of active users and hundreds of vacancies being posted every day, Monster is one of the most popular online resources for finding a new job. The Monster app allows users to maintain their Monster account from their Android smart phone or tablet, as well as search and save new jobs. Users with a completed profile and an up-to-date CV can even apply for vacancies in just a few steps, so they can manage all of their job applications by using the app.

Although these Android apps offer effective ways to search through job vacancies, job seekers shouldn’t underestimate other resources. Traditional ways of searching for a new job, like recruitment agencies and local newspaper listings, are still helpful, and they may have vacancies that even online search engines miss out.

About the Author:

Ross Davies. A blogger who recently helped his friend find work within one week by test driving the best Android apps for job hunting on the market. Ross writes extensively about technology, recruitment and employment issues.