Let’s start by stating what most people can agree with — job searching sucks! It’s beyond tough out there, and with the current state of the tech job market, it probably feels like you’re sending your resume directly into a black hole. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way, and with just a few tweaks, you can go into the search with your eyes wide open.

This isn’t going to be one of those blogs that throws a bunch of generic tips your way. No “update your LinkedIn” or “make sure your resume is perfect” fluff. If you’re reading this, you’re past the fluff and you’re here for real, actionable steps that you can start using right now, plus a little extra insight on the 2025 job market trends.

To get some more current updates on the job marketplace, I checked out Lenny’s Podcast with Phyl Terry on landing your dream job. Phyl wears many hats — founder, CEO, and author of Never Search Alone — and offers tons of “hearts and smarts.” During their nearly two-hour conversation, you can bet I was taking notes! And it wasn’t just Phyl’s advice that got me thinking. I tapped into the minds of our brilliant Skillcrush career coaches to come up with a list of six tips that I think will help you navigate the 2025 tech job market.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Figure Out Your “Candidate Market Fit.”
• Create a “Good Enough” Resume.
• Don’t Spray and Pray.
• Negotiate.
• Don’t Job Search Alone.
• It’s Not (Always) You. Sometimes it’s the Job Market.
• 2025 Job Market trends
• Get Ahead of 2025 and Beyond

Is Tech Right For you? Take Our 3-Minute Quiz!

You Will Learn:

☑️ If a career in tech is right for you

☑️ What tech careers fit your strengths

☑️ What skills you need to reach your goals

Figure Out Your “Candidate Market Fit.”

Have you ever felt like you’re trying to fit a square resume into a round…job description? It’s normal to feel that way in industries (I’m looking at you, tech!) that are always changing. I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again — give up on the word “perfect.” The real trick to finding the right job isn’t about finding the “perfect” job. It’s about finding the right fit for you in today’s job market. That’s where Phyl Terry’s idea of ‘candidate market fit’ comes in clutch.

Instead of obsessing over a job title that’s “perfect” for you, focus on understanding what roles you’re actually a good fit for. The tech job market is always evolving, so what you thought was your dream job a year ago might not even be on the radar anymore. How do you figure out what jobs are out there? Research, but not exactly the old-school way. Terry suggests doing something called “structured listening tours.” Here’s how:

• Start with reverse exit interviews. Reach out to your former coworkers and ask them: “What did I do well? What skills do you think I brought to the table? What roles do you think I’m naturally suited for?” It’s a great way to hear honest feedback on where your strengths really lie — and who knows, you might discover a strength you didn’t know you had!
• Tap into your broader network. You probably already have some people in your corner who are “in the know.” Reach out to them with a simple question: “If you were in my shoes, what would you do next?” Sometimes, hearing someone else’s perspective can help you see opportunities you might have missed or even reassure you that you’re on the right track.
• Talk to recruiters. Recruiters are known for being overrun with job seekers, but if you’ve already built a relationship with one (or a few), this is the time to lean on them. Great recruiters aren’t just looking to simply “get you a job.” They’re interested in figuring out where you’re a good fit, so instead of the classic “I need a job, help me!” approach, try something like, “What roles do you think I’m a good fit for right now?” Recruiters have a pulse on the market, and the relationship you’ve already built can really pay off in valuable advice or opportunities.

Skillcrush Tip:
Get Hired Program Manager David: “Be open to exploring other job roles and titles that aren’t exactly what you’re “trained” in.”

Particularly if you’re new to tech, you might feel locked into a specific job title that matches your training, like “full-stack developer” or “data scientist.” But here’s the thing: just because you’ve been trained in one area doesn’t mean that’s your only path. Explore roles that may align with the skills you have, even if the title isn’t exactly what you expected. Look for a skills match, not a title match.

Our main point here is to be FLEXIBLE. The job market isn’t static, and neither is your “candidate market fit.”

Create a “Good Enough” Resume.

There’s no such thing as the “perfect” resume, but you can make it “good”. Good is subjective, so consider your industry and what information you’d like to communicate right away. If you can believe it, recruiters only spend about 7.4 seconds scanning a resume, so you need to hook them quickly. And what’s the first thing they notice? Layout and design.

Note: By the way, we’re not talking highly-designed unless your industry calls for it.

If you’re new in tech, aim for one page. If you’ve got 10+ years of experience, two pages are probably necessary. Regardless of length, make it easy to skim — keep it portrait-oriented with clear headings for each section.

As for design, go for clean and legible fonts. Sans serif fonts like Arial or Calibri may look plain, but they’re perfect for tech applications where you’ve got a few seconds to impress someone. And don’t let your text blend into the background. You want high contrast between the text and background — go for a light-colored background (preferably white) and black font.

Skillcrush Tip:
Get Hired Program Manager David: “Make sure the same language used in a job post is seen on your resume.”

The job responsibilities and skills listed on your resume are inarguably the most important part. Here’s the trick: tailor your skills for each job. If the listing mentions “teamwork” or “critical thinking,” weave those into your experience or skills sections.

Side note: This becomes a lot easier — and more feasible — to do as you learn more skills and gain experience. If you’re in the early days of looking for your first job in tech, don’t worry about doing this for every job you apply to.

Think of the job description as a checklist and work the keywords and technical skills into your resume wherever possible. If you’re applying for a job as a data scientist and the company mentions experience in machine learning — as well as in Python, Scala, or R — try to fit them into your resume. You’ll hear this advice for getting through automated resume systems, but it helps on the human side, too!

Don’t Spray and Pray.

When job hunting in tech, it’s easy to fall into the “spray and pray” trap — applying to every job that crosses your screen just to get some responses in your inbox. But trust me, that’s a recipe for burnout. This is a job hunt, not the lottery, so it makes sense to put some more thought into it, even if it feels like you’re not applying to ‘enough’ jobs.

Skillcrush Tip:
Career Coach Wendy: Split your time into three parts — one-third applying, one-third networking, and one-third skill-building.

Yes, you want to cast a wide net, but don’t apply just for the sake of applying. Make sure the roles align with your interests and experience. Make sure it’s a job you actually want.

On the other hand, don’t let looking for the “perfect” job get in your way either. Treating every job like it’s precious might result in spending more time searching for a job worth applying for — or wasting hours crafting the “perfect” application — than actually sending out applications. And if you’re a perfectionist with a Type-A personality…I get it. But, you should always try to get your applications in early because spending too much time on them can mean applying after the ideal time or — worse — after the position has been filled.

Finding a balance between your applications, networking, and skill-building means you can stay consistent and hopefully not burn out throughout the process.

Is Tech Right For you? Take Our 3-Minute Quiz!

You Will Learn:

☑️ If a career in tech is right for you

☑️ What tech careers fit your strengths

☑️ What skills you need to reach your goals

Negotiate.

Job applications aren’t exactly a walk in the park, and let’s be real — negotiating your offer is probably the most awkward part of the process. Sure, the money matters — more than almost anything else — but so do the perks that help you grow in your career. Think mentorship, access to training programs, or even the opportunity to attend industry conferences. Ask about these, too! These things — as experience and lines on your resume — can have a huge impact on your long-term growth and career. It’s not only about squeezing out the highest salary, it’s also about setting yourself up for success.

When you’re in negotiation mode, remember it should be a conversation, not a power struggle. Sure, you’re not there to make demands, but you can definitely ask, “Is this something you’re open to?” If they say no, that’s cool — at least now you’ve got all the facts and can decide whether the offer still works for you.

Before you dive into negotiations, do your homework. Understand the company, the role, and the job market you’re dealing with. Research how much the company pays its employees, the average salary for the role you’re applying to, and whenever possible, external factors like the overall state of the job market. That way, you’re not walking in blind, and you’ll be in a better position to gauge whether the offer is fair or if they’re trying to lowball you.

Don’t Job Search Alone.

Look, the companies hiring in tech aren’t going at it alone, so why should you? Behind every job posting is a team of people — recruiters, hiring managers, HR reps, etc., all working together to make sure the process runs smoothly.

You shouldn’t have to go it alone. If you don’t have a community of support yet, start building one.

Join a Peer Group

Consider joining a job search council — a group of peer job seekers who can offer support, share insights, and hold each other accountable. You want to find people on the same page as you: motivated, optimistic, and ready to tackle the job search. Be careful about falling into a group that’s too… emotional. You know the type: everyone’s venting and talking about how tough the job market is, and before you know it, you’ve spent hours on a group chat of commiseration instead of actually applying to jobs. While some degree of venting is helpful, don’t get caught up in the cycle of “misery loves company.” Remember — keep the conversations constructive. Share wins, offer advice, and hold each other accountable.

Find a Mentor

Peer groups are great, but don’t fall into the trap of only talking to people who are in exactly the same shoes. You also need mentors. And if you’re thinking, “How do I even find a mentor?” — don’t worry, we’re not telling you to start begging someone to tell you how to get a job like theirs.

Use LinkedIn. Don’t let the professional headshots fool you, LinkedIn is still a social network. It’s just focused on professional networking. Find someone with a job you want or an inspiring career path, and reach out. Make it low-stakes and try to ask for a conversation, not a job.

For example:
I’m really interested in your work. Based on your experience, what should I focus on as I develop my skills?

Or,

Given my current skills, what would you recommend I work on next to stand out?

This approach positions you as someone open to learning and improving, not just climbing the ladder. And let’s be honest, people love to think that others value their thoughts and opinions.

Mentors can give you insights you won’t always get from your peer groups. They can tell you what’s really happening in the industry, where the opportunities are, and what skills are in high demand because they’ve been there, done that. Having that guidance can save you time and energy while you figure out your next steps.

If I had to sum this all up into one TL;DR, it’d be this: Balance your job search community with a peer group and mentors who are further along in the field. You’ll need a mix of support, guidance, and actual career advice to stay grounded and get out of your job search rut.

It’s Not (Always) You. Sometimes it’s the Job Market.

If you’re finding it hard to land a tech job right now, don’t beat yourself up — it’s not just you, we promise. The job market is a bit of a mess these days. There’s a flood of talent out there, especially with layoffs bringing a lot of highly skilled people back into the running. The economy has had some wins, but we’re still waiting for that shift back in tech’s direction.

Take it from Terry, who explains a real shift in positions and goals. Let’s say you were a product director who’s been laid off. You’d likely be eyeing a VP-level position the next time you apply for roles, but today’s market’s been flipped. Because of the increased competition, VPs are getting back in the game looking at director roles. Consequently, instead of those high-level director or VP roles, you might find yourself looking at other senior management positions — and that’s okay!

It’s tough out there, and it’s not necessarily a reflection of your skills or abilities. It’s about timing, and sometimes it’s not your fit, but the market that’s the issue.

Is Tech Right For you? Take Our 3-Minute Quiz!

You Will Learn:

☑️ If a career in tech is right for you

☑️ What tech careers fit your strengths

☑️ What skills you need to reach your goals

2025 Job Market Trends

The job market is shifting, but don’t panic — this isn’t the new normal forever. What we saw in 2024 isn’t necessarily what we’ll see in 2025. And honestly, 2025 is still a bit of a mystery, but here’s what we do know about its job market trends:

• In the latest “Future of Jobs” report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the outlook is generally positive. Most technologies are expected to have a net positive impact on jobs over the next five years, with big data analytics and cybersecurity being the biggest drivers of job growth.
• The “Future of Jobs” report also mentions that more than 75% of companies plan to adopt big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) in the next five years.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists data scientists and information security analysts as two of the fastest growing jobs between 2023 and 2033.

So, if you’re looking to position yourself for success, these are some areas and skills to keep an eye on and start upskilling in.

Get Ahead of 2025 and Beyond

Job searching is definitely not a “one and done” kind of deal. It’s a process that evolves regularly, and you’ve got to come up with a strategy that works for you. Again, you don’t have to job search alone! Lean on your peers, connect with mentors, and tap into a community that can offer real support and advice. For example, if you’re enrolled in the Skillcrush Break Into Tech + Get Hired program, you’re not just gaining in-demand tech skills, you’re also gaining a network of mentors and career coaches. You can tap into their brains — like I did for this article — to get inside information on the tech job market and landing a job.

And remember — ditch the idea of “perfect.” There’s no such thing! What matters is finding where you fit in today’s tech landscape. Yes, the job market may be a bit trickier right now, but don’t let that hold you back. By staying on top of trends like AI, cloud computing, and big data, and sharpening your skills, you’re already ahead of the curve. And when you’re ready to dive in and make it happen, Skillcrush has the tools to help you build a career that lasts.