Blog

When we launched Start Page 12 months ago we set out to build a beautiful, mobile-friendly, link in bio site that’s easy to set up and even easier to update.Over that time we’ve been adding heaps of small improvements and updates, but today is our biggest update to date…As of today, you can schedule posts to appear on your Start Page whenever you’d like.That means, you can schedule, links, images, text, and more to go live whenever you’d like. You can schedule content to both your social channels and your Start Page simultaneously with Buffer.Get started nowSince launching, our team has been hard at work adding a number of updates, including: The GIF gallery: a collection of hand picked gifs to style your Start PagePromote YouTube videos: a block to spotlight your latest YouTube uploadImage links grid: Upload images to a grid and link each image to a relevant webpageEmbed songs & podcasts with Spotify: listen to audio directly in Start Page16 new themes: style your Start Page your way with new themesNow, over 25,150 Start Pages have been shared with the world since we launched last year.We’ve seen photographers to plumbers, baking sites to gig nights, share their Start Page with the world. However, the ultimate goal of Start Page was for it to act as a link in bio. A simple site to direct your social fans to to direct them to the links that matter most to you.And there’s one unique feature we’ve been excited to add to help with that. New from Buffer — Start Page PostsFrom today, anyone can schedule content to appear on their Start Page. That means, you can schedule, links, images, text, and more to go live whenever you’d like. You can schedule content to both your social channels and your Start Page simultaneously with Buffer.  On your Start Page, you can schedule: ️☕️ Information about your next event🎶 Ticket details to your latest gig📱 Release notes about your last update✈️ Discounts for your customers👆Updates on your product production➕ And much, much morePlus, all your scheduled Start Page updates can contain links.One thing we heard from customers was that using links on social often limited the amount of reach a post could get. We decided to look into this and found that using a link can reduce reach by up to 40 percent.Start Page Posts can help. Rather than posting links directly on social, you can schedule these updates to your Start Page feed. Direct your audience to your link in bio in your post rather than using the link directly. That should help you capture the reach you deserve. And one more thing, it’s free!Unlike most link in bio tools on the market, our scheduling feature comes at no extra cost.Create your Start PageGet the visibility your links deserveGet started for free

Here’s a question that puzzles most social media users … Why do some of my posts get more views than others? It’s a difficult question to answer. Each social network has a different algorithm. Each algorithm promotes and demotes posts in their own unique way. Learning why some posts go viral while others don’t is nigh on impossible. However, there was one thing I noticed with my posts. It seemed that posts with links got less engagement and fewer views. This was just an anecdotal feeling, nothing more than that. So, to test my hunch, I spent a few months researching.Do posts containing a link perform worse?I conducted a mix of third-party and first party research. All my third-party analysis is based on some great research conducted by others (which I’ve linked to below). The first party analysis was conducted using Brandwatch, a consumer intelligence platform—thank you to Brandwatch for helping us out here. So, do posts containing a link perform worse? Here’s what we found: Tweets with a link achieve 7.2% fewer retweets (Buffer’s own analysis)Tweets with a link garner 28.76% less reach (Buffer’s own analysis)LinkedIn impressions decrease by 3x when posting a link (AgoraPulse)Engagement rate for LinkedIn posts without a link is 70% higher (SocialInsider)Plus, Instagram and TikTok actively discourage link sharingWe couldn’t find any conclusive findings on Facebook or Google Business Profiles, but we’d assume those algorithm’s act in a similar way. So the headline seems clear, posts on social media containing a link seem to perform worse.To dig a little deeper, let’s dive into our analysis.We analyzed 174 million tweets with and without linksThanks to our friends over at Brandwatch, we were able to analyze a huge number of tweets (174,525,132 tweets to be exact).Specifically we looked for a statistically accurate sample of tweets published between July 15th, 2022 to August 16th, 2022 that either contained a link, or contained the phrase “link in bio.”We decided to compare two styles of tweets: Tweets that contained a linkTweets containing the phrase “link in bio”Both of these tweets are attempting to achieve the same thing. They’re both trying to drive people to external content. Except, link-based tweets do so directly in the tweet while, link in bio posts encourage people to click on the bio and access the content that way.We compared the average number of retweets, the number of impressions and the average reach for both types of tweets. Please note, impressions refers to the sum of all followers of the authors who tweeted or retweeted the post, while reach is a number assigned to the tweet which attempts to estimate how many users actually saw the post. Here are the results. Tweets that refer to a “link in bio” generate: 8.98% more retweets than tweets that include a link21.24% more impressions than tweets that include a link40.38% more reach than tweets that include a linkWhy is this? Well one hypothesis is that Twitter, and other social networks, simply don’t want users to leave the app. So they limit the amount of visibility link-based tweets get. However, posts that refer to a link in bio seem to circumvents this limitation. Without an actual link in the text, the post achieves maximum visibility and gets more retweets because of it.How to use a link in bioTo achieve maximum visibility for your posts on social networks, you’ll want to avoid using links and instead direct your audience to your link in bio. Which begs the question. Which  tool should you use?You’ll need a tool that’s customizable to fit your brand. One that’s able to store lots of content and links to direct your audience to the right location. But there are lots of tools that just this (including Buffer’s own—Start Page). However, there’s one thing unique to Start Page that sets it apart. As of today, Start Page users can schedule new posts to appear on their page at a specific time and date—all for free. Find out more on our announcement blog here.Get the reach you deserveStart scheduling posts to your Start Page todayGet started for free

The job search process can feel daunting. Every step of the process — from finding relevant opportunities to interviewing — is a major time investment. However, an organized to-do list can keep you on track.
In this post, you’ll learn the essential steps for an organized job search and tips to help you land your dream gig. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

10 Important Steps in the Job Search Process
10 Job Search Tips
3 Resume Examples Tailored to Different Niches
Starting Your Job Search

10 Essential Steps for Your Job Search Process
Without a roadmap, finding a new job can be overwhelming. This to-do list guides you through the essential steps of any job hunt.
1. Start with your mindset.
Job hunting begins with your mindset. The right attitude can help you approach the process with resilience.
Be prepared to wait for the right opportunity. Don’t be upset if you haven’t secured a new job within a couple of weeks. The average duration of unemployment is five and a half months, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, just moving from an interview to an offer takes 23.8 days on average.
However, timeframes heavily depend on the industry, your experience, and the urgency to fill a role. For example, a government role will have a longer time to hire than many corporations.
Another reminder: don’t take “no” personally. Any job seeker inevitably faces rejection — direct and indirect. Sometimes, you don’t hear back on your application. Other times, you receive a direct refusal with a concise explanation of why you didn’t make the cut.
Don’t let small losses set you back. Set yourself up for success, and keep trying.
2. Set your job search parameters.
Don’t just apply to every job you see. List what positions you’re interested in and start searching from there.
Think of what skills you’ve already acquired. Do you want to pursue the same role or explore a new career path or industry? Ask yourself what you’re passionate about and what you would like to do long-term. Reflect on your thoughts by writing them down.
If you’re looking to stay in your industry, consider your experience. Focus on positions that align with your expertise. Knowing what you’re good at will help you tailor your CV and secure a new job faster.
Pro tip: Create an ideal job description that details your desired responsibilities, location, and benefits. This outline can help keep you focused.
3. Understand your field.
Industry research can help you tackle your job search with updated knowledge. You should find out the education requirements, level of experience, and responsibilities associated with your desired roles.
You’ll also discover which qualities and skills employers are looking for in your field. That can help you showcase your competitive edge in resumes and cover letters.
Pro tip: Open any job board — Indeed, Glassdoor, Tech Ladies — enter the job name, and analyze the job descriptions of five open vacancies. Then you can decide whether the future job resonates with your interests.
4. Know your worth.
How much money would you like to earn within a year? It’s important to know if your expectations correlate with the job market.
Analyze the market averages using Indeed or Glassdoor’s salary calculator. You can then gauge the average yearly salary based on your role and location.
Image Source
You can also reach out to people in similar positions and ask what salary range you should expect for a certain position. Tap your network, or find relevant people on LinkedIn.
Lastly, turn to Google. Many companies conduct compensation research so you can get a more accurate salary range for your industry.
Remember: Compensation isn’t just salary. Decide what benefits and bonuses your ideal package includes. For instance, you might be looking for comprehensive healthcare coverage or a 401K package. Understand which benefits are on your need-to-have list.
5. Review your social media accounts.
You’ll want to impress recruiters with your first-class LinkedIn profile. Here’s what recruiters look at when scrolling through your page:

How you represent yourself — your headline and the about section.
An appealing photo and a cover image also play a role. Use a neutral cover image or write a short message.
Detailed work experience. Highlight achievements in your previous positions: show numbers and your impact.
Certificates.
Skill endorsement and feedback. Ask friends and colleagues to endorse your skills.
Your activity. Keep your profile active — post, like, and comment on relevant stories.

While recruiters spend most of their time on LinkedIn, you’ll want to clean up your social media presence on other platforms. Make sure your posts are office-friendly.
Pro tip: Google your name in an incognito web browser to see how your social media profiles may appear to recruiters that search your name.
6. Polish your resume and application materials.
Work smarter, not harder. Instead of pure volume, focus on building custom applications for the roles you’re most interested in. A well-tailored resume and cover letter will have better results than a generic approach.
Start with your resume. You can use a resume builder to create a professional. Hubspot offers free templates to help you get started. For creative roles, consider designing your resume using Canva or VistaCreate’s templates.
When writing a cover letter, write directly to the recruiter or hiring manager. If you can find the person’s name, be sure to address them specifically.
Image Source
Pro tip: Create one document with all of your professional experience and accomplishments. Then, paste relevant bullet points into a resume template. That allows you to take a customized approach for every company, without re-writing your job experience for each application.
7. Upskill while waiting.
Are you missing one or two required skills? While applying for jobs, enroll in free online courses to help fill these gaps. You can then show recruiters that you’re eager to learn new skills.
HubSpot Academy offers a wide range of digital marketing courses for entry-level and professionals for free.
Udemy and Coursera are also reputable online learning platforms that offer paid and free courses. Sessions are made by industry leaders from Meta, IBM, Google, and other top companies. You can also find courses created by universities like Yale, Cambridge, and Oxford.
8. Prepare for the interview process.
Instead of cramming the night before, start preparing for interviews while you apply for jobs. That way, you’ll always be prepared to provide evidence of your skills.
Start with these common interview questions:

Why did you quit your last job?
What makes you a great candidate?
Why are you interested in this opportunity?
What did you like about the company?
What are your hobbies?
What motivates you?
What last book did you read/course you took?
What did you dislike about your previous boss/company?

LinkedIn’s course on “Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions” is another great way to prepare. The course takes job seekers through commonly-asked interview questions and offers tips on how to answer correctly. Plus, you’ll learn how to negotiate your salary.
You can also role-play interviews with friends or sign up for an interview prep service to help polish your skills.
9. Research potential employers.
Can you see yourself working at a certain company? Diving into organizations’ histories and cultures can help you assess your fit. Start by investigating companies’ LinkedIn profiles. Then read reviews from employees on Glassdoor and Indeed.
If you’re applying for a startup, research founders and see what their past experiences look like. A first-time founder isn’t necessarily a red flag. Look for those who have experience in different roles and managerial positions. They’re more likely to understand how to drive a company’s growth.
Pro tip: Networking can also be a powerful tool. Reach out to people from the company, preferably in the department you’re applying to, and ask for their insights. Make a list of questions beforehand to keep your conversation focused.
This can all help you understand if a company aligns with your needs and what hiccups you might expect.
10. Prepare a “thank you” email.
After an interview, you can also stand out by sending a customized thank you email to your recruiter.
The best approach is to share your true emotions and experiences of the interview. Specify what part of the interview got you excited. Also, highlight your unique value.
You should also express gratitude to anyone you networked with during the interview process. That person may endorse you to the recruiter.

 

10 Job Search Tips
Now that you’ve structured your job search process, here are 10 more tips to help you get hired.
1. Analyze your personality type to understand yourself better.
Complete the 16Personalities MBTI test or the DISC test as a tool for self-reflection. These tests can help unveil your core strengths and weaknesses. Results often come with suggestions for career paths suited to your personality type.
Image Source
2. Leverage the STAR method when answering recruiters’ questions.
Ace the interview with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Results). Recruiters want you to back up your intangible skills, like leadership, with examples. Getting familiar with the STAR method in advance will give you leverage during an interview.
3. Include external links in your resume to bolster your skills.
You should always include your LinkedIn on your resume. Depending on the role, other supplemental links may be appropriate.
For example, a graphic designer should include a link to their Behance profile. For content writers, create a spreadsheet, and list all your published articles on it. Use GitHub to showcase your tech skills.
4. Master your English speaking skills.
Worried about your language skills? Take quick courses to master the interview process for an English-as-a-second-language job seeker.
Want to nail a tech interview with flawless English? Play with Interview Warmup by Google to practice key questions and get feedback from the AI assistant. Choose your field and start practicing.
Image Source
5. Network with industry peers.
Join online communities relevant to your job. Reach out to industry professionals for advice. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to land your first job in a field.
6. Be bold and dedicated.
On LinkedIn, you can find fantastic examples of how folks with close to zero experience landed their first jobs in sales, marketing, or tech. The key is to focus on transferable skillsets. Be bold about your abilities, while demonstrating a dedication to learning new skills.
We love the story of how a bus driver with no college degree nailed an SDR position proving himself out of 350+ applicants.
7. Know where to seek niche jobs.
Want to join a startup or a high-end enterprise company? Considering only remote positions? Many job boards specialize in these types of positions. Here are some sites to consider:

WeWorkRemotely or Remotive — for remote job offers only.
LinkedIn Jobs — specify filters by industry, company, job types, etc.
Hired — for tech job search; companies reached out to candidates to offer a role.
AngelList or Y Combinator Jobs — for finding a dream job at a startup.
Indeed and Glassdoor — the largest free job boards.

8. Put yourself in the spotlight on LinkedIn.
Be active on LinkedIn. Start posting every day. Share your experience. Build new connections.
Pro tip: Allocate 1-2 hours daily to build your LinkedIn presence. If you’re active on LinkedIn and bring value to the industry, job offers will flow into your inbox.
9. Get everything ready for the interview.
The day before the interview, allocate dedicated preparation time. This is essential for both in-person meetings and online calls.
For online interviews, start by checking your internet connection. Charge your laptop and smartphone the night before. Be sure to test that your microphone and headset work properly.
For offline interviews, decide what clothes you want to wear, and iron them. Be sure to research how long the commute is to the interview location. Get enough sleep and have breakfast to look energetic.
10. Find ways to lower stress.
The interview process can be the most stressful part of the job search. Five minutes before an interview, take deep breaths and calm your mind. Hold a Superman pose for a minute to fuel confidence.
Smile and get ready for introductions. Prepare answers or topics for two-minute of small talk.

3 Resume Examples
Different positions require customized CVs. Let’s break down best practices for resumes related to different roles.
Digital Marketing Resume
Image Source
In digital marketing, it’s essential to demonstrate your impact on business metrics. Candidates should briefly outline what they’ve accomplished strategically and what results they’ve achieved.
Your resume should focus on impact. Include numbers where possible. Let’s say you increased the home page conversion rate in your last role. Here are two ways you could write that bullet point.

Lackluster: Improved homepage conversion rate.
Specific and impactful: Enhanced homepage conversion rate by 27% through A/B testing CTAs and layouts.

Your summary section can also pique a recruiter’s interest. Provide a concise description of your work history, mentioning your biggest achievements. See a sample summary below.

Digital marketing specialist with 5 years of experience implementing SEO and content marketing strategies. Helped grow Twilio Blog to 358,000+ monthly organic traffic within 2.5 years. Managed a team of 10 freelance writers and link-builders. Experienced with Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, HubSpot, copywriting, and editing.

Tech Resume
Image Source
This resume paints a complete picture of the candidate’s technical skills and business acumen. Recruiters can see examples of their work at the candidate’s GitHub link. Plus, the resume links the candidates’ accomplishments to revenue impact.
Pro Tip: Include all relevant certificates and training. This shows your eagerness to learn and upskill.
Internship Resume
Image Source
Internship resumes should be customized for each internship program. Candidates should include related projects they’ve worked on in class or personally. You can also highlight relevant acquired skills, completed courses, and certificates.
In a nutshell, internship resumes should reflect proactivity, willingness to learn, and an immediate contribution to the company.

Starting Your Job Search
Landing your dream job takes a thoughtful job search, tailored application materials, and the right attitude. Invest time into researching your ideal work environment and positions. After investing in preparation, you’ll be well on your way to your next career opportunity.

Are you planning a virtual event and not sure which platform to use?

From large platforms like Hopin to smaller, more niche platforms, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of the 10 best platforms to host your next virtual event.

What is a virtual event platform?
Key Features to Look For in a Virtual Event Platform
Best Virtual Event Platforms

You might be wondering, is a virtual event platform the same as a video conferencing platform like Zoom? Technically no. Although both tools will have features that intersect, they are designed for different purposes.
A virtual event platform is designed to scale, and offer immersive experiences and interactive elements meant to simulate in-person events. A video conferencing platform, on the other hand, is unlikely to support interactive features beyond chatrooms and breakout rooms, as their main focus is video conferencing.

Key Features to Look for in Virtual Event Platform
If you’re in the market for a virtual event platform, you’ll want to look for one that’s scalable, customizable, and user-friendly.
Here are some key features to look for:

Pre-event:

Registration system
Payment processing
Event referral tracking
Email marketing integration

During the event:

Polling and Q&A
Live-streaming
Moderating
Gamification
Captioning and screen reader capabilities
Large attendee capacity
Multi-camera options

Post-event:

Analytics dashboard
Customizable CTAs
Data exports

While this list isn’t comprehensive, it’s a great place to start as you determine what you’re looking for and what you can expect to find from virtual event platforms on the market.

Best Virtual Event Platforms
1. vFairs
Ranked #1 on G2 with over 1,300 reviews, vFairs is one of the best virtual event platforms in the market.

As its name suggests, this virtual event platform specializes in fairs, such as career, job, education fairs, and trade shows. Their solutions include:

Virtual exhibit hall
Custom event builder
Event gamification
Analytics and reporting tools

In addition to virtual events, they also host in-person and hybrid events, which is great for brands looking for a multi-channel approach.
2. Hopin
As one of the leading virtual event platforms on the market, Hopin is suitable for both small and large events.

Image Source
Hopin offers a flexible and scalable platform with everything you will need for your event, from registration support to multi-stage sessions to real-time analytics.
Even the free plan offers unlimited events for up to 2 hours with customizable registration, analytics, and multi-venue options.
If you’re looking for a platform that will grow with you, this is a great option.
3. Airmeet
Looking for an approachable, unfussy solution for your virtual events? Then, Airmeet is worth a look.

With a 4.6/5 rating on G2 out of 549 reviews, Airmeet is a user-friendly platform that works for just about any event. It’s been used by some of the top brands out there, like Forbes, Walmart, and FedEx, yet offers packages that work for businesses of any size.
While they have the top features you’d expect from a virtual event platform, they stand out for their platform’s ease of use.
4. GoToWebinar
GoTo Webinar is the go-to hosting platform for webinars. Whether you’re doing a product demo or conducting employee training, this tool is a great option.
Their pricing starts at $49/month and goes up to $499 for enterprises. Every plan includes reporting and analytics, registration tools, and event-related email marketing.
Some of the most interesting features on the platform include:

Pre-recorded webinars that still include interactive elements, like polls, Q&As, surveys, and handouts
Multi-device functionality
Integration with CRMs, Google Suite, Microsoft Teams, and more

5. Remo
Have a unique vision for your virtual event? Remo will help you bring it to life to your exact specifications.

Image Source
Remo allows you to create an entire virtual world for your attendees that will keep them engaged and entertained. Their standout feature is the ability to create custom floor plans so that you personalize your attendees’ experience.
6. Goldcast
If you’re a B2B business, Goldcast is the virtual event platform designed specifically for you.

Their platform is trusted by some of the biggest B2B brands including GitHub, Salesloft, Hootsuite, and Drift. Here are a few reasons why:

Simple and user-friendly interface for non-technical users
Frictionless CRM integration
Dedicated support teams
Advanced production tools
Hybrid capabilities

7. Hubilo
If you want to be hands-on in building your virtual event, consider Hubilo.

Many call it a DIY platform, as it has extensive customization features on the front and back end. What’s more, it offers global support for users looking to create engaging in-person, hybrid, and virtual events.
Hubilo is best known for its client support, custom branding options, and extensive engagement features.
8. Zuddl
Awarded “Best Support” for small businesses by G2, Zuddl is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a virtual event platform.

Although they offer the standard features you see on many platforms, they focus on three things: customization, ease of use, and branding.
Zuddl allows brands to create immersive, on-brand virtual experiences that invite attendees to connect. Here’s how they do it:

Easy-to-use templates, widgets, and landing pages for branding
Tier-based matchmaking, breakout rooms, and virtual business cards for networking
Live leaderboards for gamification

These are just some of the tools Zuddl has to offer.
9. ON24
While other platforms focus on customization, ON24 promises to deliver on attendee engagement.

They focus on creating rich, interactive virtual experiences while also collecting valuable insights that you can leverage long after the event is over.
With ON24, you can create:

Live or semi-live webinars
Engaging roundtable events with video-first participation
High-converting landing pages
Accessible events that welcome global audiences

10. Accelevents
From tradeshows and fundraisers to product launches and career fairs, Accelevents does it all.

They offer a 360 virtual event experience for businesses looking for a sleek interface as well as audience engagement. Key features include:

Integrated live streaming
Lobby interaction, such as welcome videos, activity walls, and leaderboards
Analytics dashboard with registration and session reports
Custom booths and expo halls for sponsors

In addition, Accelevents is on Capterra’s 2022 shortlist for “Emerging Favorite” in the virtual event software category, with an overall rating of 4.7/5.
So there you have it — our top 10 virtual event platforms. This list should help you narrow down your choices for hosting your next digital event.