It’s ironic that you often have to pay for tools like Microsoft Office just to apply for jobs. After years of acquiring skills and knowledge, it feels unfair that securing a simple job application can come with a price tag. I firmly believe that pursuing your career aspirations shouldn’t cost you anything, which is why I’m so eager to introduce you to some free tools that will help you apply for your dream jobs. In this article, I will show you how to use Office 365 for free for job seekers so you can stand a better chance of achieving your goals without any financial barriers holding you back.
How does Office 365 Benefit Job Hunting?
Office 365 is a cloud-based productivity suite that offers essential tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, ultimately making them a goldmine for job-hunters. With these applications, anyone can efficiently manage different aspects of the job search process like creating professional documents, organizing your search, and preparing for interviews.
Microsoft Office tools are a goldmine to help you with not only job applications but helping you find jobs for your position too. Here’s how these tools can turn out to be an amazing resource to have by your side.
Word
With Word, you can have access to beautifully designed, customizable templates that make your resume look professional.So, suppose you’re applying for a position in digital marketing. You can choose a template in Word that includes sections like experience, skills, and education. Using the Resume Assistant feature, you can add industry-specific keywords to your resume to align with what recruiters are looking for.
This will ultimately save you time with ready-made templates while ensuring your resume is tailored to the job you’re applying for. You can also use Microsoft Editor to proofread and catch errors before sending it out.
PowerPoint
If you’re asked to give a presentation during an interview, PowerPoint is a fantastic tool to create a professional slideshow that highlights your skills and achievements.
Let’s say you’re interviewing for a project management role. You can create a slide deck in PowerPoint that showcases your past projects, milestones you’ve achieved, and how you led a team to success. You can include visuals like charts and timelines to make your presentation engaging.
You’ll make a memorable impression by presenting your accomplishments in a clear, visually appealing way. If you’re nervous about speaking, Presenter Coach can provide real-time feedback on your delivery to help you practice and improve.
Excel
Excel is the best tool to help you with your job search. But it is also so much more than just a tool for crunching numbers. It can help you organize your entire job search process, making it easy to track applications, interviews, and follow-up dates.
I’ll give you an example; You can create a simple Excel sheet with columns for “Company Name”, “Position”, “Date Applied”, “Status”, and “Follow-Up”. This way, you can see at a glance which companies you’ve applied to, when to expect a response, and when you need to send a follow-up email.
This way you can manage multiple job applications without missing deadlines or forgetting to follow up, increasing your chances of securing an interview.
Outlook
Managing communication with recruiters and potential employers is key to staying professional. With Outlook, you can send emails, schedule interviews, and set reminders for important follow-up tasks.
So suppose you are submitting your resume to a company, you can schedule a reminder in Outlook to send a follow-up email to the recruiter one week later. You can also organize emails into folders to easily keep track of correspondence with different companies.
This way you never miss an opportunity by keeping your communication organized and on track.
Why is WPS Office the Better Alternative to Office 365?
Microsoft Office has great tools to kickstart your job hunt, but is it worth paying the hefty price just to apply for jobs? The simple answer is WPS Office—a free tool that delivers everything Microsoft Office does, and more, without the cost.
WPS Office offers a Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tool—everything you need to create resumes, track applications, and prepare for interviews. But WPS Office doesn’t stop there. It has WPS AI, which helps you create resumes, refine your skills, and even assist with job hunting. And if that’s not enough, it also comes with a free PDF tool equipped with AI. You can use it to analyze job descriptions and instantly extract key points, helping you personalize your cover letters.
Need a professional photo for your resume but don’t have one with the right background? WPS Office has you covered with its built-in photo editing tools. Plus, its integration with Microsoft Office makes it more than just an alternative—it becomes a complementary tool that enhances your job search process.
So, even if you already have Microsoft Office, WPS Office gives you every reason to add it to your toolbox!
Strengths
When it comes to job hunting, having the right tools can make all the difference. WPS Office is a completely free, powerful office suite that delivers everything you need to succeed, without the hefty price tag of Microsoft Office. Here’s why it’s the perfect tool for job seekers:
Completely Free: No limited trial period, no hidden fees—WPS Office is 100% free to use. You can access all its features without worrying about subscription costs.
Compatible with Microsoft 365 Formats: WPS Office works seamlessly with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats, so you can easily share documents with employers or coworkers who use Microsoft Office.
WPS Cloud Integration: With WPS Cloud, you can store and access your documents anywhere, anytime. This means you can edit your resume on your laptop, update it on your phone, and send it to potential employers—all while on the go.
Available on All Platforms: Whether you’re using Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, or iOS, WPS Office ensures you have access to your documents no matter what device you’re on.
Extensive Template Library: WPS Office offers an excellent library of templates for resumes, cover letters, and even job application forms. This saves you time and helps ensure your documents look polished and professional.
PDF Converter: Need to send a resume or cover letter as a PDF? WPS Office has a free PDF converter that preserves your formatting. You can convert files to and from PDFs without any hassle or additional tools.
AI-Powered Writing Assistant: With WPS AI, you get personalized suggestions to refine your resume and cover letter, helping you showcase your skills in the best light.
Resume Master
WPS Offers a dedicated resume making tool, which shouldn’t be confused with a standard template. It eliminates the hassle of manual formatting and allows you to effortlessly create a polished resume. All you have to do is fill in your information, and within moments, you’ll have a professional resume of your choice, ready to use. Here’s how you can do it with WPS Office:
Step 1: Let's open WPS Office on your system and click on the "WPS AI" tab on the left-side pane.
Step 2: Now, scroll down a bit and click on the "Resume Master" feature to create a resume with the help of WPS AI.
Step 3: You now have the WPS AI Resume Master open. Scroll down to find different resume templates available for quicker resume creation, or click on "Create my Resume Now" to custom-create a resume.
Step 4: If you selected "Create My Resume Now", click on the "Create My Resume" button to start building your resume from scratch.
Step 5: The process of creating a resume with WPS Office is straightforward—just add your resume information and then click on "Download".
Step 6: Once the resume is created, you can view its content on WPS Writer or edit the contents using WPS Office Resume Master.
This is such a quick and easy way to whip up a polished resume in no time. What’s more, you have the flexibility to revisit and tweak it whenever needed, all while preserving that pristine formatting. But the real magic happens with WPS Office’s exceptional PDF conversion feature. With just a click in the resume maker, you can effortlessly transform your document into a professional PDF.
How to Get Office 365 for Free?
WPS Office comes packed with benefits, offering you a seamless experience without the hassles of activation or hefty price tags. However, if you’re determined to access Office 365 features at a lower cost, there are ways to get started without breaking the bank. Here’s how you can leverage Office 365 for free during your job-hunting journey:
1. Use the Web Version
One of the most accessible ways to utilize Office 365 without the cost is by using the web version. It offers a range of essential features, including:
Real-time Collaboration: Work simultaneously with others on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Accessibility Anywhere: Access your files from any device with an internet connection, ensuring you can work on your job applications wherever you are.
Core Applications: Utilize Word, Excel, and PowerPoint online for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
However, it’s important to note some limitations compared to the paid version:
Limited Features: Certain advanced features, such as extensive formatting options, advanced data analysis tools in Excel, and some templates in Word and PowerPoint, may not be available.
Storage Cap: You’ll have limited OneDrive storage compared to paid subscribers, which may hinder your ability to store large files.
Internet Dependency: As it’s a web-based service, you must have a reliable internet connection to access and work on your documents.
Despite these limitations, the web version remains highly functional and effective for job seekers who need to create and share documents quickly, and here’s how you can access it too:
Step 1: Let's begin by navigating to the Microsoft Office Online website in our browser.
Step 2: On the Microsoft Office website, click on the "Sign in" button to log in to your Microsoft account.
Note: If you don't currently have a Microsoft account, you can click on the "Sign up for free" button to get free access to the Microsoft web version.
Step 3: Complete your sign-in by entering your login credentials.
Step 4: After completing the login, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Office web homepage. To create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation, click on the "Create" button in the left-side pane.
Step 5: You can select from a wide range of web apps that Microsoft Office provides to improve your productivity.
2. Utilize Student Benefits
Students are not just learners; they are also job seekers preparing to enter the workforce. Microsoft offers an Education Program that provides free access to Office 365 for students. If your university participates in this program, you can take advantage of it to enhance your job applications.
To get started with Office 365 Education for free, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open your browser and navigate to the Microsoft Office Education webpage.
Step 2: Click on the "Get Started" button to proceed to the sign-in page.
Step 3: Now, simply enter the email ID provided by your school or institute, such as your UCLA account, to avail of Student Benefits.
Step 4: Once logged in with your Student account, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Office Web homepage.
Step 5: To get Microsoft Office apps installed for offline use, simply click on the "Install and more" button and then select "Install Microsoft 365 apps" to install Microsoft Office on your system.
This program is a fantastic resource for students seeking jobs, allowing you to create professional resumes, cover letters, and other documents that will help you stand out in your job applications.
3. Try the 30-Day Free Trial
If you're looking for a more comprehensive experience, Microsoft offers a 30-Day Free Trial of Office 365. Here’s what you need to know:
Duration: The trial lasts for 30 days, giving you access to the full suite of Office applications.
Features: You’ll have access to all the features of Office 365, including OneDrive storage, advanced editing tools, and collaboration features.
Limitations: Once the trial period ends, you will lose access to the premium features unless you decide to subscribe.
Step 1: On your browser, navigate to the Microsoft 365 trial web page.
Step 2: Now, simply click on the "Start your 1-month trial" button to sign up for the Microsoft 365 trial.
Step 3: Enter your login credentials to complete the sign-in.
Step 4: You will now be redirected to the Microsoft 365 checkout page, where you can review the details of your purchase and free trial.
Step 5: Make sure to update the region if it's incorrect, then click "Next" to continue.
Step 6: Select the payment method you wish to use to complete your purchase.
Step 7: Enter your payment method details to proceed with the Microsoft 365 free trial.
Step 8: After entering your payment method, simply click on the "Start trial, pay later" button to begin your Microsoft 365 trial period.
Reminder: Be sure to set a reminder to cancel your trial if you do not wish to continue with a paid subscription after the 30 days. This can usually be done in your Microsoft account settings under subscriptions.
With these options available, job seekers can access essential tools to create compelling applications and increase their chances of landing their dream jobs without overspending.
FAQs
1. What happens after the free trial ends?
Once the trial period concludes, your account will automatically switch to a paid subscription unless you decide to cancel beforehand. Fees will be applied based on the plan you selected during registration. It’s recommended to check your subscription settings before the trial ends to prevent any unanticipated charges.
2. What if I’ve already used a free trial in the past?
If you have previously activated a free trial with your email address, you will not be able to access it again. However, you can consider alternatives such as free online versions or check your eligibility for educational access. Additionally, consider checking for any available promotional offers or discounts that may suit your needs.
3. Is there a completely free version of Office 365?
Although a fully functional free version of Office 365 is not available, users can access web-based versions of the Office applications without charge. These online tools provide essential features for creating and editing documents, making them suitable for job seekers and casual users. Additionally, many educational institutions provide free access to Microsoft Office 365 Education for students and educators who use their school email addresses.
Simplify Your Job Search with WPS Office
Finding a job can often feel like an emotionally and mentally draining journey, especially when you're currently unemployed. The stress of crafting the perfect application or resume can weigh heavily on anyone. That's where the convenience of office suites comes into play. By learning how to use Office 365 for free for job seekers, you can streamline your job-hunting process, making it feel less like a solitary task and more like a collaborative endeavor.
WPS Office also offers features that truly feel like a supportive buddy by your side throughout this journey. From easy-to-use templates for resumes and cover letters to handy collaboration tools, WPS Office simplifies the entire process. Download WPS Office today, and spare yourself the burden of job-hunting for another day!
