How to stand out in a competitive tech job market

Last weekend, I found myself at Caribou, a coffee shop near my university where I used to spend hours with a mocha, cramming for exams or finishing assignments. It is funny to think back; when I first walked inside this coffee shop, I was just another university student, unsure of my path. 

Bite-Sized: What actually makes you stand out in today's tech job market?

Nearly a decade later, I have grown into an experienced professional, and my app, Lettre, has reached more than 20,000 downloads and topped the US App Store charts. 

Born in Chattogram, I moved to the US as an international student, pursuing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the University of Minnesota. Over the past eight years, I have built my career as a software engineer, working at companies like Apple and Box. But what truly shaped my journey was building Lettre.

However, the journey has not been without its challenges, and it is a reflection of the broader shifts happening in the tech industry. For many, entering the tech industry seems like a no-brainer and a path to achieving great things personally and professionally. As someone who has walked that path, I come to you with some insights.

Why the tech job market feels broken

Truth be told, the tech job market has always been imbalanced, with the supply of talent far exceeding the demand. This problem was exacerbated by the hiring frenzy between 2020 and 2022, when companies rapidly expanded their teams during a period of growth fueled by low interest rates. 

However, as economic conditions shifted, these same companies were forced to cut costs, starting with their largest expense — human resources. The result was a wave of layoffs that left the job market oversaturated with talent.

Between 2022 and 2024, over 580,000 tech workers lost their jobs, according to industry sources. The market is flooded not only with fresh graduates but also with mid-level and senior professionals who were laid off. 

Competing at the top of the field remains a significant challenge regardless of location, whether in Bangladesh or the US. Gaining experience at top-tier companies like FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google) or prominent Silicon Valley (Bay Area) firms, combined with earning a degree from abroad, can be transformative. These steps, while challenging, can help you build the skills and experience needed to stand out in an increasingly competitive job market.

How you can stand out

Passion is key: Success in tech demands a genuine love for problem-solving and technology. If you are in university, surround yourself with ambitious, humble friends who push you to grow. Start projects together and launch them, no matter how small. These projects showcase your initiative and problem-solving skills, so feature them on your resume, GitHub, LinkedIn, and online portfolio. 

Participate in hackathons: Even if you do not win, you will gain valuable experience and possibly connect with an industry contact because most of these events are sponsored by major tech companies. That connection could open the door to your next big opportunity.

Internship can be your game-changer: Prioritise internships over additional summer courses, as practical experience often outweighs academic achievements for engineering roles. Early exposure to industry standards and practices will set you apart when applying for new grad roles. 

It is also easier to convert an internship into a full-time role, as follow-up interviews are often simpler — or sometimes not required at all.

Master the fundamentals: To succeed in technical interviews, mastering the fundamentals is not just important — it is non-negotiable. MIT offers free lectures on these topics on YouTube, but simply watching videos will not get you far — you need to practice consistently. 

If you are new to algorithms, refer to Introduction to Algorithms (CLRS) and Cracking the Coding Interview by Gayle Laakmann McDowell for a strong foundation.

Once you are comfortable with the basics, dive into LeetCode. NeetCode's curated list of 150 problems is an excellent starting point, with detailed video explanations to guide you. Start with easy problems to build confidence, then set a timer and gradually tackle medium and hard problems. 

Avoid the temptation to look at solutions too soon — it is better to spend time thinking critically and picking up patterns that will help you solve harder problems in the future. For System Design questions, which may be required depending on your role and experience, explore resources like Grokking the System Design Interview and Gaurav Sen's YouTube content.

Remember, interviewing is a skill on its own and is often very different from the responsibilities of a typical tech job. Interviews focus on assessing your problem-solving approach, communication, and ability to apply theoretical concepts quickly under pressure. Like going to the gym, consistent practice is essential to build and maintain the "muscle memory" needed to stay prepared.

Be intentional with job applications: In today's AI-driven resume screeners, mass applications often fall short. Instead, be intentional about the roles you apply for. Revisit your past experiences, internships and projects to align your skills and passions with your applications. This clarity will help you speak confidently and authentically about your strengths during interviews. 

For LinkedIn job postings, take advantage of the recruiter information typically listed — send them a concise, personalised message that highlights your fit for the role. If you're applying through a company website, use LinkedIn to search keywords related to the role and find relevant team members. Message them directly — you'd be surprised how few people take this extra step. 

You might connect with someone who appreciates your work and provides a referral, which has become almost essential for securing interviews nowadays. Effective networking, combined with a strong LinkedIn profile and resume, can also attract recruiters directly, giving you an edge in today's crowded job market.

Don't be a tool yourself in the age of AI

Just like the internet revolutionised industries and rendered many jobs obsolete, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to do the same. 

The tech field, like every other industry, is not immune to this wave of change. AI has enabled unimaginable productivity gains, reducing the need for large teams to accomplish tasks. For example, what once required 100 people might now be achievable by a five-person team leveraging AI tools.

The current wave of AI began with chatbots powered by Large Language Models (LLMs), which have transformed how businesses interact with customers and process information. The next big shift is the rise of AI agents — programs designed to execute specific tasks autonomously. These agents are becoming increasingly adept at handling small, well-defined tasks. 

Despite the saturation in the tech job market, demand for AI engineers and adjacent fields like Machine Learning, Data Science, and Data Engineering continues to rise. If these areas align with your career interests, now is the perfect time to dive in. 

Every industry is grappling with the changes brought by AI, for better or worse. But remember, AI is just a tool — it cannot replicate the uniquely human ability to think, create, and empathise. Do not be a tool yourself, and you shall thrive.

Embrace AI and the changes it brings — use it to elevate your work. If you are stuck doing repetitive tasks, it is a sign to level up and focus on more impactful, high-level, bigger picture work. Strive to become indispensable by delivering value that goes beyond the technical. After all, a job is just as much about solving business problems and managing stakeholder expectations as it is about technical skills.

A career in tech may not seem as rosy as it did a few years ago, but one truth remains: if you are good at what you do, someone will pay for your work. Remember, it is a numbers game — rejections are inevitable, and while they can feel personal after several rounds and months of interviews, they're often not. Focus on improving your skills, learning from experiences, and staying ready for the next opportunity.

Stay flexible, stay curious, and never stop learning or practicing your craft. If you truly love what you do — if you are a tinkerer at heart — you will find success in this ever-evolving field. The journey might not always be easy, but it is an exciting ride worth taking.