4 Sneaky Gmail Tricks

     As I mentioned in my previous post, I attended a 2.5 hour Gmail workshop this morning. What a perfect chance to share some new knowledge I picked up today!

Remember me?

     I am no computer nerd but I generally consider myself at least a bit computer-savvy. I've had a computer since I was nine, when my parents gave each of us kids our first computer(!) for the Y2K New Year.  My first one had Windows 95 and was about a foot thick...

     Honestly, I think the best way to stay up-to-date with new technology trends is to mess around with the technology you have. Before you ask someone to help you fix a minor issue, screw around on your computer for at least fifteen minutes first. If worse comes to worse, I'll call my dad to help me troubleshoot.

     Really, just try new things, click new buttons, open different tools and play around until you figure things out. Try this even when you're not freaking out about the latest curve-ball your PC has thrown you. 

4 Sneaky Gmail Tricks

     Another solution I've learned over the years: just restart. It seems like half of all sudden computer problems are fixed with a simple restart. I only say this because I constantly gave this piece of advice to friends at school.

    So, back to the class. I knew the Gmail basics just from my own screwing around. I wasn't expecting to learn a whole lot, but I'm all about picking up new knowledge and finding ways to apply it to my future. I learned 4 new features that should be interesting for even the more advanced users of Gmail.

1. Google Advanced Search 
•  While it does seem obvious that this should exist, I had never thought about how to find it. Simply Google: 'advanced search'. Or, remember this link http://www.google.ca/advanced_search.
• The advanced search tool is perfect for research (I wish I had known about it in college). My favorite part is that you can specify that you want only results from certain domains like .edu,  .gov or .org (for extra credibility).
2. New Compose Experience
• Go to compose a new email, and you will see a box that suggests you try the new compose experience. Here's a link to Google's support page: http://support.google.com/mail/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=2645922. It's great because you can compose multiple emails at a time, and still access your inbox. 
3. Gmail Search Bar



What!! How did I not see this before?

•  You've probably conducted an inbox search, looking for an old email from a past employer, old professor, friend etc. Go to that Gmail Search Bar and click at the little downward arrow at the far right. Now, you can specify who the email you're looking for is from or for. You can search for words that might be inside the email, when it was sent, and if it had an attachment! Great.
4.  Gmail Filters
•  My favorite part! I made filters for career prospects, family emails, and one for a research project I am working on. At the bottom of the window you opened from the Gmail Search Bar (above), there is an option to "Create filter with this search." Click there to specify if you want filter emails from a certain contact, to a certain contact, etc like you can do for a search. For example, I made a Family filter where all of the emails from my Dad, Mom, brothers, and sister-in-law get sent. I have it set so they still come to my inbox, too, but each filter is labeled in a different color so it sticks out. 

If I didn't explain a new tool to your liking, look it up (or ask in the comments)! There are tons of great tutorials online.  

     Wondering what relevance this post has to the career search? It's incredibly important to have a strong command of Gmail and other Google apps in today's workforce. Many of the positions I've researched and applied for require it. If not, you'll feel much more confident in carrying out basic administrative tasks in a new position (without pestering your employer with additional questions). After all, that's why I took the class!

Picture credit: 1)  http://compunoticias.com/2012/03/05/la-historia-de-windows-infografia/ 2) http://tbstech.org/2012/11/14/search-for-old-e-mails-on-gmail/