The reality is regularly quite different — professionals typically spend many time-consuming months searching for the right position to transition into.
The good news is that there are many tools now available to streamline your search. And even if they don’t necessarily make it faster, they will make it easier to find and secure the right role.
Here are seven that we think you should always have in your job-search armoury.
1. A graphic tool to improve the design of your CV/cover letter
Canva is a powerful graphic design tool that can be used to create (or finesse) a variety of job search materials, including resumes, cover letters, business cards, and social media graphics.
Canva’s resume templates make it easier and faster to create a professional and visually appealing document, and design tools let you add graphics, images, and other design elements to cover letters.
You can also use Canva to make professional-level videos. The drag-and-drop editor offers an array of transitions, animations, designer fonts, audio library, and much more to simplify video creation.
Use targeted filters and constraints to surface roles that truly match your skills, availability, and project requirements—rather than simply expanding the number of roles you see. Focus on criteria like industry, seniority, time zone overlap, contract length, and tech stack so you can quickly narrow to the opportunities that fit real-world on-site, hybrid, and remote constraints.
Use a dedicated graphic design tool to transform a plain CV or cover letter into a polished, visually engaging document that stands out while remaining professional and easy to read, so recruiters can quickly see your strengths and remember your application.
2. Strategically Streamline Your Search With Job Tools
Use a search platform such as LinkedIn and Seek. Create a profile, connect with fellow industry professionals, and set it up to receive job alerts that match your interests.
To maximize your chances of finding a job on LinkedIn, consider joining a LinkedIn group related to your field of interest. This will allow you to receive notifications about new job openings that match your skills and experience. Additionally, ensure your LinkedIn profile is translated into the language of the country where you want to work. This will increase the likelihood that recruiters from that country will see your profile and consider you for job openings.
Once you’ve found a position you’re interested in, it's a good idea to research the company on Glassdoor. This will give you an idea of what it's like to work there, and what other employees (current and former) think about the company culture, management, and pay. Additionally, if you're preparing for an interview, you can use Glassdoor to research the average wage to better understand what to expect in terms of compensation and prepare for salary negotiations. In short, tools like Glassdoor help you quickly assess fit, benchmark pay, and walk into interviews more informed and confident.
3. A tool to check your emails are being well received
Mailtrack is a very useful tool that allows you to be selectively proactive. It will let you know when your email has been opened and track its progress through the recruiter's inbox.
An opened email is a good sign that the recruiter is interested in your application.
In this case, it’s a good idea to follow up—typically 7–10 days after applying—by phone or a brief, polite email, using your application tracking or employer portal (if available) to confirm it was received, inquire about the status, and reiterate your interest in a professional, appreciative tone to help you stand out from other applicants.
Reinforce this structure by scheduling dedicated time each week to review your tracking board. Identify applications that need follow-up, confirm the next action for every opportunity, and log outcomes immediately after conversations. Treat this review as a standing appointment with yourself so that commitments don’t slip, and you maintain a consistent, professional cadence with every contact.
4. A tool to see the progress of your job search
Trello is a highly effective tool for organizing your job search. By creating a board and assigning tasks to it, you can track each application in one place and keep a clear, real-time view of your pipeline. Additionally, Trello makes it easy to schedule and prioritize follow-up on your applications so nothing slips through the cracks. In short, tracking tools like this turn a scattered search into a structured, manageable process.
5. A tool for creating personalized messages
Job search is often endless, repetitive typing of very similar things across different job applications. Instead of manually going through this over and over, use Text Blaze. This application lets you set up any number of templates for email responses, cover letters, and more, that you can activate with a simple shortcut.
6. A tool to find an email
If you're unable to find the contact information for a company and still want to submit an application, a tool like Contact Out can help you find the necessary email address. These tools can be especially useful if you're struggling to locate the contact information on a company's website or if the information is not readily available.
7. A tool to check the language
Poor spelling or improper grammar in a cover letter can kill your chances with a poor impression of your attention to detail (or general written comprehension skills). The good news is that there’s now a host of tools that can help. Run your application through something like Grammarly, Wordtune, or Outwrite as a final check to catch lingering errors, so your writing looks polished and professional to hiring managers.
Lauriane Pellaud
Marketing Coordinator and creative pro. She enjoys simplifying complex topics into simple narratives to engage audiences and communities. Food lover and seamstress in her spare time.
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