If you graduated this year, congratulations! But it must feel like you’ve just entered one of the most competitive job markets in history.
If you’re still looking for your first tech job, what can you do to speed the process and ensure eventual success? You may have gained experience by pursuing easy online jobs for students prior to graduation, or freelance/gig work after. This experience-building can help, but new tools have emerged as a powerful ally: specifically, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tools that can help you polish your job application, demonstrate your skills, and connect with the right employers.
Below, we’ll discuss eight SaaS tools you need to know about. You can start using one or more of them today to help secure your career-defining role in tech.
1. Smart CV-Building at Scale
Traditional methods of writing curriculum vitae (CVs) are time consuming. It can also be confusing. ResumeGiants streamlines the process by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and an intuitive platform.
ResumeGiant’s preformed templates are designed to get your CV past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and appeal to the eye. AI-powered keyword and content suggestions can help you express yourself professionally and adeptly. You can also use this tool to tailor your CV to the needs of each job you apply for—quickly and easily, without going back to the drawing board each time.
2. The Handshake of Connection
Handshake is a go-to SaaS platform for students and recent grads. It is a dedicated career platform designed with Gen Z in mind, helping new talent access roles they might not find through other means.
You can sign up for Handshake directly, but first, find out if your university has partnered with the platform. If so, you’ve got a direct pipeline to job openings right on your university’s website. Build your profile, apply for jobs, and attend virtual job fairs.
3. Optimize for Applicant Tracking
As mentioned above, your CV has to make it past ATS (interestingly, another SaaS tool) to reach the second round of hiring. If you’ve been consistently applying for some time but haven’t received an interview yet, it might be time to give ATS optimization another look.
Jobscan will allow you to compare your CV against relevant job descriptions, scoring your document for keyword matching, skill alignment, and formatting. This strategic alignment with what recruiters want can give you a vital advantage.
4. Running the Gauntlet with Tech Skills
Increasingly, actual tech skills matter more than the degrees you hold. You’ll likely be asked to prove your skills through coding challenges or technical tests.
Employers use platforms like HackerRank and Codility to perform these assessments. But you can get ahead of the game and use these same platforms to practice, sharpening your skills prior to a technical interview. Codility even has Developer Training lessons to help you review or learn new skills.
5. Accessible Upskilling on LinkedIn
Hopefully, you’re already using LinkedIn as a professional networking platform. If you’re spending some time as a freelancer, you can also use LinkedIn for business to business marketing. But here, we’re focusing on a specific aspect of the platform: LinkedIn Learning.
LinkedIn Learning has thousands of courses designed to help professionals fill any skill gaps. Many courses are tailored to in-demand tech skills like cloud computing, AI, or data analytics. You can complete certifications and highlight them directly on your LinkedIn profile.
6. Personal Branding and Professional Portfolios
Canva is one of the most widely used SaaS design tools. It’s easy and intuitive to use. Whether or not you specialize in design, UX, or marketing, Canva can give you an edge by helping you quickly create visually appealing digital portfolios, social media content, a logo that captures your brand’s identity, and more.
7. Building a Consistent Digital Presence
Bill Gates once said, “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” In order to benefit, however, you need to be present in that town square.
Consistently engaging with online communities is essential to maintaining your digital presence—but you likely don’t want to spend all your time online. Buffer offers a single dashboard for scheduling and managing all your social media posts, including LinkedIn. In one sitting, you can orchestrate a month’s worth of engagement, allowing you to unplug as needed.
8. Organizing Your Job Search
Notion is an AI workspace with tools for searching, writing, note-taking, scheduling, and more. Notion can be used in many circumstances, but it is ideal for graduations juggling applications, interviews, and skill-building. For example, you can keep a calendar of your application dates and interviews, build project portfolios, and document learning progress as you fill skill gaps.
Saas Is Your Career Accelerator
SaaS has changed everything from how companies hire to how you, as a graduate, can prepare for those opportunities. Today’s job market is digital first, highly automated, and skill-driven. You can gain an edge by selecting SaaS tools that automate repetitive tasks, highlight and build on your strengths, and open doors to exclusive opportunities.
By leveraging the right mix of SaaS platforms, you can stand out in the crowd, streamline your job search, and ultimately secure interviews faster to land your first big tech job.