Being a smartphone owner in an Apple-dominated world used to be tough. As a fairly early adopter of an Android device, I was always secretly jealous of the iPhone crowd, playing Angry Birds and showing off their apps, while I scoured the Android market, coming up with a much more modest selection.

Developers are more likely to create applications that are compatible with the market leaders, and this is proven when you look at the size of Apple's iTunes Store in comparison to Blackberry's App World, Nokia's Ovi Store and the Android Marketplace. But the mobile landscape is finally changing; the gap between Apple and their competitors has closed and it is now time for developers to reevaluate the market.

This is exactly what AllTheTopBananas.com have done, and last month marked the launch of their job seeking application for Android. The app has a wide range of features that can help you to search anytime, anywhere, which means that those normally wasted, 5 minutes here and there can now be used to find a job. Perfect!

The application lets you search over 200,000 jobs sourced from all over the web on your Android device, by simply entering your chosen search criteria. Typing is kept to a minimum as the app enables you to save your favourite searches, making repeating a search quick and easy.

One of my favourite features of the AllTheTopBananas app is the 'Live Search' which lets you see what other people are searching for in real-time. The results appear over the top of a map of the UK, and it can be quite addictive watching the different search criteria popping up and disappearing. If you want to conduct one of the searches that you see, then you can just tap the text to perform the search.

The job search notification feature lets the app work for you. Simply type in your search criteria and select the 'notify me of new matches' button. Whenever a new job is advertised that matches your search, even when the app is closed, it will appear in the main notification bar of your Android device. That means that even when you're finished searching, your app won't stop trying to find your perfect job.

Other features of the app include full integration with Twitter, Facebook and YouTube and access to current job seeking advice, so that you can still brush up on your interview techniques even on the journey there, as long as you aren't driving, of course.

The AllTheTopBananas Job Search application is available to download from the Android Marketplace for free, so why don't you try it out today?

Below is the latest job seeking advice video from AllTheTopBananas.com. Find out how you can target your job applications, and achieve better results by applying for less vacancies.

Many job seekers believe that the best way to increase the chance of getting a job comes through applying for hundreds of vacancies, but this is simply not the case. By blanket applying for vacancies, not only are you not increasing your chances of being employed, you are wasting time that could be spent on carefully planned, targeted applications.

So remember, less could actually be more! Check out the video below: 

 
Reports from AllTheTopBananas.com have revealed that things might be looking up for jobseekers. After analysing job vacancy data on the site over the last two years, AllTheTopBananas.com have been able to measure the impact of the recession on the amount of available jobs. Their findings have proven to be extremely positive for the coming months as October heralded the second largest number of jobs on the site since January 2009.

Of the data collected, the job count has increased considerably since July 2009, increasing by 41%, which is significantly more than in the same period last year. The job count has also increased by 25% from September to October, which suggests that we may at last be witnessing an upturn in the number of jobs becoming available- great news as the Christmas period rolls in.

According to the site, the rise in the number of vacancies can be seen throughout many industries including IT, Catering, Sales and Retail. This is great news for retail, as the credit crunch has proved a difficult time for those in the industry. Retail giant John Lewis has also been reporting positive signs for retail, as they reported a fifth weekly sales increase for the end of October. But with VAT set to rise again in January, will this put a spanner in the works of recovery efforts?

Whilst we are not officially out of recession, many signs in the economy are pointing positively in that direction. The US reported that the period from July- September 2009 was the first period in over a year that the country had experienced economic growth, which is good news for recovery. Here in the UK, The Halifax reported a 1.2% rise in house prices in October, their fourth monthly increase, and even success stories in retail are beginning to infiltrate the news of late.

It may still be a little early to get out the party poppers and streamers, as AllTheTopBananas reported that the overall job count has fallen by a whopping 48% since 2008, but we're all hoping that this is the beginning of the end for the horrible R word.

So what do you think:

Will the VAT increase put people off the high street?

Are you seeing signs of the recession easing?

Feel free to leave your comments below.

A couple of weeks ago I made a tremendous technological leap into the world of the smart phone. I have a distinctly acute fear of technology and change, so for me, this was a pretty huge deal! For years and years I've had a rubbishly cheap pay as you go Samsung mobile; the only thing changing throughout the years being an upgrade to a slightly newer version of the same winning formula. But, I guess sitting with a bunch of techies finally started to wear me down, and I was launched kicking and screaming into the generation of Internet phones.

After having some, frankly confusing discussions, with the tech team about the type of phone I should get, with each brandishing a new and complicated phone and selling the benefits to me with relish, I finally decided on the HTC hero, a glorious example of a smart phone, and so I'm told, is a strong competitor to the iPhone. I am all smug with my new found ability to not only text, but 'tweet' and 'Facebook' on the move, upload pictures at the tap of the whizzy touch screen- I'm totally in my element.

And it seems that I am not the only one to have embraced the smart phone era. Since 2008 when the iPhone launched itself upon us, it has been purchased in its millions! Which is why when my friends at AllTheTopBananas.com told me about their latest product, I was very interested indeed...

AllTheTopBananas.com were the first, yes the first, jobs website to produce a free, UK only job searching application for the iPhone. Making them market leaders in mobile job searching, those clever devils!

This week has seen the launch of their third version of the application which enables you to search, and apply for jobs wherever you are- through your iPhone!

The amazing features list includes the following: 

-Search over 200,000 vacancies from AllTheTopBananas.com on your mobile.
-Set search criteria such as location, salary and job title.
-Save your searches to perform as many times as you want.
-Use the inbuilt GPS to conduct a search for jobs in your exact location.
-Save jobs to a shortlist, email ones you like, or apply directly online through the advertiser's own site.
-Browse regularly updated job seeking advice; from CV help to interview tips.

I've had a play with it on the iPhone, and I can't help but marvel at just how slick it really is. Easy to use even for a technophobe like me, and with great features that make it even easier to job seek, it truly is a great app- and best of all, it's completely free!

They've assured me that there is going to me an equally whizzy version for my little android phone soon, so I'll be sure to let you know when that's finished. But for all you iPhone jobseekers, download the app now! you're in for a banana-y treat!

For more information on the app, visit the AllTheTopBananas.com iPhone page.

Perfecting your CV is one thing, but what if an employer never gets to see it? The sad fact is that an employer might not have the time to read through every applicant’s CV. A polished CV may get overlooked if your covering letter is either non-existent, or not up to scratch.

And if all that info has got your head spinning, here’s an example cover letter to give you some inspiration:

Dear Mr Johnston,

I am writing in response to the job advert you placed on AllTheTopBananas.com, to express my interest in the vacancy of Sales Manager (ref 645/1982).

I believe I have the right skills for this position and wish to further my career in sales management, which is a position I upheld at my previous employment with Sales Inc. for five years. Being in charge of a team of six has made me very adept at motivating a team and ensuring the smooth running of my department.  

I am very interested in applying for this vacancy as I have often admired the business model that Sell, Sell, Sell, adheres to. Your large selection of clients is renowned within the industry and so is the quality of service you provide, which is something that I pride myself on within my own work.

I have held a number of roles that have enabled me to develop and perfect my skills in effective sales and customer service management. I am very goal oriented and have been successful in ensuring my team met the deadlines and targets set each quarter, and I believe that these skills would make me a valuable asset to your company. 

Please see attached my CV for your further information. I am available for interview at any time, and my contact information is at the top of my CV. I look forward to hearing from you soon,