Job Searching FAQs

Now that you have your resume, LinkedIn, and cover letter template all ready, the next step is to APPLY! Here are some of the most common questions and answers:

How can I tell if a job is a scam?

In this job market, you are bound to come across or hear from someone about a job posting or interview process that is “too good to be true”. Usually, it is.

No company will hire you strictly via email or text-only interviews. No one will. If you do not have at least 1-2 actual conversations with someone at the company, just walk away (virtually).

And yes, just because they have a legit company profile on LinkedIn and a website, and a few blog posts about them, does not mean they are legit. The biggest red flags are:

1. Non-communication (only via email or text) and almost immediately giving you an offer after a few interactions, and
2. Asking you to buy a gift card, "return" a bounced check, or other odd requests involving money.

If you are not sure, contact us! We are here to help.

Where should I look for tech jobs?

You can start by checking the most popular job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. However, here's a couple more that focus on niche topics:

DiversityWorkers -- A simple job board focused on diversity

Diversity Tech -- For underrepresented people in tech

Builtin -- For startups tech jobs

wellfound -- For startups

echo jobs -- For software engineering jobs

Tech Jobs for Good -- For tech jobs that help make the world a better place

Idealist -- For jobs at nonprofits or other organizations that focus on social good

Impact Source -- For jobs focused on positive social impact

Public Sector Job Board -- For an easy unified list of government roles (including federal, state, city, etc.)

Welcome to the Jungle -- "Only the most exciting, innovative and fast-moving companies"

Himalayas -- For remote jobs

We Work Remotely -- For remote jobs

How can I make my job search more effective with keywords?

Use keywords that match your skills, tech stack, and preferred job titles. For example:

Frontend Developer → "React," "JavaScript," "CSS," "Frontend"

Backend Developer → "Node.js," "Ruby on Rails," "API," "Backend"

Full Stack Developer → combine frontend + backend keywords and/or use "Fullstack"

Below is a list of job titles that our CTD alumni have landed in over the years. Feel free to utilize these as keywords in your own job search!

Please be mindful that backgrounds and years of experience of our CTD alumni vary, so be sure to govern yourself accordingly regarding requirements/qualifications.

• Artificial Intelligence Engineer
• Business Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• Cloud Support Technician
• Data Analyst
• Data Engineer
• Database Support Specialist
• Datacenter Technician
• Digital Accessibility Consultant
• Gameplay Engineer
• Information Security Engineer
• Information Systems Engineer
• Information Technology Instructor
• Information Technology Operations Engineer
• IT Analyst
• IT Associate
• IT Support Technician
• IT Systems Analyst
• Mainframe Support Engineer
• Network and Database Administrator
• Product Designer
• Product Marketing Manager
• Product Support Engineer
• Scrum Master
• ServiceNow Developer
• Software Analyst
• Software Developer Engineer Apprentice
• Software Development Consultant
• Software Support Specialist
• Support Consultant
• System Engineer
• System Integration Specialist
• Tech Support Associate
• Technical Consultant
• Technical Recruiter
• Technical Support Specialist
• Technology Apprentice
• Technology Investment Banking Associate
• Test Analyst
• UI/UX Designer
• Web Designer

Should I customize my application for each job?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: If you really want the job, it's worth the extra effort. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking through hundreds of applications, so tailoring your materials to make it incredibly clear and obvious that you're a great fit for the job can make a big difference.

Some quick tips in customizing:

• Identify the most important keywords in the job description -- copy and paste the job posting into ChatGPT or any other AI tool and ask it to list the 25 most important keywords from the job that an ideal candidate would have in their resume.

• Narrow down this list to the skills and tools that you have -- from that list of the top 25 most important keywords, make sure every single one is in your resume if you've ever encountered it!

NOTE: Don't lie and claim you're an expert in anything you're not, but if you have ANY familiarity with the listed tools or languages at all, it's worth adding it in your resume or cover letter. It's the interviewer's job to assess whether or not your expertise is at the right level for the job -- don't do their job for them and reject yourself before they've even met you!

• Include the keywords in the Skills or Summary section of your resume -- make it easy to see these words in a quick 5 second glance of your resume!

• No, really, you need to match the keywords EXACTLY -- do they use the term "Node.js" instead of just "Node?" Change it in your resume to match how they've written it in the job description. ATS can be incredibly narrow in their definition.

How do I keep track of where I’ve applied?

Think of your job search like a detective case — you’re collecting clues (job postings), following leads (applications), and making sure no suspect (employer) slips through the cracks.

If you don’t track your applications, here’s what can happen:

• You apply twice to the same job without realizing it (oops).
• You forget where you applied when a recruiter calls and have to wing it during the interview.
• You miss deadlines for follow-ups or interviews.

Tracking your applications isn’t optional — it’s absolutely essential if you want to stay organized, follow up like a pro, and avoid embarrassing mix-ups.

Two easy ways to track your job search:

1. Google Sheets

Make a simple spreadsheet with columns like:

• Company
• Job Title
• Link to Posting
• Date Applied
• Status (To Apply / Applied / Interviewing / Offer / Rejected)
• Notes (e.g., recruiter’s name, follow-up date)

Bonus: You can sort and filter your spreadsheet to focus on the hottest leads.

2. Huntr

• A free tool built just for job seekers.
• Save job postings with one click from almost any site using the Huntr Chrome Extension.
• Organize them in a Trello-styled Kanban board: Saved, Applied, Interviewing, Offer, etc.
• Add notes, upload resumes, and set reminders to follow up.

HOT TIP: Whether you use Google Sheets, Huntr, or even Jira, update your tracker every time you apply. Think of it as logging a new “case file” in your investigation — because when you land that interview, you’ll want all your intel in one place!

Should I use a recruiter?

Recruitment agencies vary wildly in quality, and their usefulness varies from location to location. Keep in mind that you are a product to them; their business model is to throw as many viable bodies at their client as acceptable in the hope one sticks.

If they have a special deal to source candidates for an employer, this might be a good thing, but often you will have recruiters that do cold pitches with you to test the material. In some locations, tech recruiters are the norm for how you land your first job. In others, they are total wastes of time. Ask around to figure out how your local tech scene works.

Any other tips for starting my job search?

Set a weekly application goal (e.g., 5–10 high-quality applications).

Network: Engage with recruiters and developers on LinkedIn.

Follow up: If you haven’t heard back after 1–2 weeks, send a polite email or LinkedIn message.

Keep learning: Stay sharp by working on small projects, algorithms, or open-source contributions while you search.