40 free tools · updated for 2026
Job-search tools that actually generate something.
Resume checkers, cover letter and headline generators, STAR answer builders, negotiation scripts, skills gap analyzers. Built by Andy Gaber — former hiring manager, not a template farm.
Free, no signup
Every tool runs in your browser. Nothing uploaded, nothing stored.
Built by a hiring manager
Scripts and rubrics are from real recruiter and manager conversations, not AI guesswork.
PDF export everywhere it matters
Resume reports, cover letters, scripts, and plans export to PDF.
Updated for 2026 tax year
FICA wage base, 401(k) limits, federal brackets, standard deduction all current.
Resume, cover letters & interview builders
The tools that actually generate something. Paste the job description, fill a few fields, download a tailored packet.
ATS Resume Checker
AnalyzerPaste resume + JD. Real ATS parse score, keyword coverage, verb audit.
Cover Letter Generator
GeneratorThree tones, five paragraphs, generated from your inputs. Editable, PDF export.
LinkedIn Headline Generator
GeneratorFive frameworks. Four headlines per framework. Character-budget aware.
Interview Prep Planner
BuilderWeighted checklist + readiness score. Built for the 3 days before the onsite.
Skills Gap Analyzer
AnalyzerPaste the JD. Get a keyword diff, hours-to-close, and a week-by-week learning plan.
Promotion Case Builder
BuilderSix dimensions, weighted, with evidence text. Output is a ready-to-send promo packet.
Negotiation & offer tools
Scripts recruiters see every day, with the math behind them. These are drafts, not templates — plug in your numbers and send.
Salary Negotiation Script Generator
ScriptGenerates email + phone script using your offer, market anchors, and reasons.
Raise Request Script
ScriptEmail + phone script plus a 10-year compound-value chart of the raise you're asking for.
Job Offer Comparator
AnalyzerTwo offers side-by-side. Total comp, comp mix, and cost-of-living adjusted totals.
Benefits Package Value
CalcDollarize 401(k) match, insurance, PTO, FSA, and more. One number to plug into offer math.
Pay Gap Analyzer
AnalyzerCompare your base to market bands. Lifetime cost of staying underpaid, year by year.
Referral Pitch + Bonus Math
GeneratorReferral ask template plus the after-tax hourly rate of making one.
Career math — the decisions behind the numbers
Switch careers, relocate, go freelance, take a sabbatical — the tradeoffs you can't feel without seeing the arithmetic.
Career Change Roadmap
Builder18-month plan + opportunity cost + payback. Useful when the change feels scarier than the math.
Job Search Plan
BuilderApps/week, hours/week, expected funnel to N offers in M weeks.
Networking Outreach Generator
GeneratorFive outreach templates with real reply-rate data. Cold DM, referral ask, info chat, more.
Freelance vs. Full-Time
CalcHourly rate math including self-employment tax, benefits value, and PTO.
Remote Job Savings
CalcDollars saved vs. dollars sacrificed when you go remote. Commute, meals, wardrobe, time.
Relocation Salary Adjustment
CalcAdjust an offer to a new city using real 2026 cost-of-living indices.
Comp & equity math
The calculators for the meeting after you get the offer. Model RSUs, vesting, bonuses, and the tax hit before you sign.
RSU vs. Salary Comparison
CalcCash-heavy vs. equity-heavy offer at realistic and downside stock prices.
Equity Vesting Schedule
Calc4-year schedule with cliff. Year-by-year vested dollar value under three price scenarios.
401(k) Match Value
CalcWhat your match is worth today and compounded to retirement.
Bonus Tax Calculator
CalcFederal supplemental + FICA + state withholding on a signing or performance bonus.
Hourly to Salary
CalcConvert an hourly wage to equivalent salary adjusted for PTO and overtime.
Salary to Hourly
CalcTrue hourly rate from salary after unpaid overtime and actual hours worked.
Commission Income Projector
CalcOTE vs. realistic take-home under attainment variance.
Severance Package
CalcLump-sum severance, benefits continuation, tax impact.
PTO Cash Value
CalcDollar value of unused PTO and the annual accrual you're earning.
FMLA Pay Impact
CalcIncome during 12-week FMLA using PTO, STD, and unpaid time.
Commute Cost
CalcAnnual cost of driving, including time value.
Side Income Tax
CalcFederal and self-employment tax on side-gig earnings.
Life & runway math
When the question is how long your money lasts, or whether an investment pays back.
Work-Life Balance Analyzer
AnalyzerScore hours, flexibility, on-call, boundaries. Heatmap + action plan.
Sabbatical Planner
BuilderHow much to save, burn rate, and re-entry runway.
Retirement Switch Impact
CalcEffect on retirement of a pay cut today for a better long-term role.
MBA ROI
CalcTuition + opportunity cost vs. 10-year salary lift.
Certification ROI
CalcPayback and lifetime value of a professional cert.
Bootcamp ROI
CalcBootcamp cost, placement lag, 5-year salary lift.
Freelance Rate Calculator
CalcReverse-engineer an hourly rate from income, taxes, and billable capacity.
W-2 vs. 1099
CalcSalary vs. contractor rate after self-employment tax and lost benefits.
Unemployment Benefits
CalcWeekly UI + runway months from savings and severance.
Job Search Burn Rate
CalcHow fast your savings burn during the search.
The job-search playbook I send friends
Five short emails. Resume anatomy, cover-letter anatomy, negotiation scripts, interview frameworks, the 30-day pipeline plan. One click to unsubscribe. No marketing fluff.