If you’re looking to write a tech resume that helps you stand out in the crowded job market, then pause because we’ve got some tips and a helpful resource to help you catch employers eye and attract multiple offers…
The truth is, the tech market is at the most competitive it has ever been. To land a role, you’re up against thousands of others and AI is not making it any easier. Yet, your dream job could still be yours if you have a resume that stops employers dead in their tracks and convinces them you’re the right candidate even before they get to talk to you.
Sit tight and let’s explore how you can professionally write your own tech resume. In the end, you can get 3 of our best templates to make this even easier.
Let’s go!
1. Start Off with a Captivating Introduction
The first impression is everything, and your resume’s introduction serves as the gateway to your professional profile. Start with a compelling summary statement that highlights your unique skills, achievements, and career aspirations. By concisely conveying your value proposition, you entice hiring managers to delve deeper into your resume and consider you as a top candidate.
The intro section above is a perfect example. Name and contact. Few sentences about experience, expertise and accomplishments and a punchy section on the candidate’s “Core Competencies.”
2. Showcase Your Technical Skills and Expertise
Here’s where you show you can do the job.
You’ve got the skills, yeah?
Create a dedicated skills section that emphasizes your proficiency in programming languages, frameworks, tools, and methodologies relevant to your target job. Use concise bullet points to highlight specific skills and quantify your achievements where possible, showcasing tangible results from your previous experiences.
3. Highlight Professional Experience
The previous section claims you can do what’s required of you. In this section, you’ve got to show you’ve done it before. Or, at least, done something similar.
But don’t just list places you’ve worked with some generic notes under. Use bullet points to communicate some of the most relevant roles and responsibilities that align with the position you’re applying for. Use numbers and statistics to communicate the value you brought to your previous employers as this clearly communicates what you bring to the table and how you can help your employers smash their goals. Finally, use action verbs as they, in combination with other tips mentioned above, substantiate your claims with evidence.
4. Emphasize Continuous Learning and Professional Development
In the rapidly evolving tech industry, the ability to adapt and learn quickly is highly valued. Showcase your commitment to continuous learning by highlighting relevant certifications, courses, workshops, and conferences you have attended. By demonstrating your dedication to staying ahead of the curve, you position yourself as a proactive and growth-oriented professional, appealing to employers seeking individuals who can thrive in dynamic environments.
5. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Thanks to the intense competition in the tech job market, up to 75% of resumes from qualified candidates never make it out of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and into human hands. per multiple sources.
What that means is these CVs are damned to never land an interview or get the job. It doesn’t matter if you apply to a hundred or a thousand jobs, if your resume is poorly optimized for ATS, it may be easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for you to land a job.
Looking to pass ATS? Here’s some things you should do:
- Word docs over PDF
- Basic design over elaborate graphics
- Use lots of relevant keywords from the job description, but avoid keyword stuffing
- Basic sentences over complex jargon or buzzwords
- Bullet points over lengthy paragraphs
- Ditch your photo
6. Format and Proofread
Presentation matters. Opt for a clean and professional format that is easy to read and navigate. Use consistent headings and bullet points to maintain a structured flow of information. Pay attention to the font style and size, ensuring readability across different devices and platforms.
Proofreading is equally essential to maintain a polished and error-free resume. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies can detract from your professional image. Take the time to review your resume thoroughly, or consider enlisting the help of a trusted friend or professional proofreader to ensure accuracy and coherence.
7. Incorporate Industry Keywords
This one’s most helpful when a job comes looking. Job boards like Indeed have people upload their resumes and allow employers to search for top candidates. Incorporating industry keywords help you outrank competitors and show up right in front of your ideal employer, thus skyrocketing your chances of landing that role.
A quick Google search or using certain SEO tools like www.semrush.com can help you identify necessary keywords to help you show up when an employer comes looking.
8. Customize for Each Job Application
Getting the perfect resume may be a continuous process. After you’ve nailed down a good structure, beautiful design and captivating descriptions, you may need to constantly optimize for fir best results.
With resumes, there’s no one size fits all and tailoring your resume to match the specific requirements of job applications really works wonders.
Analyze the job description and identify keywords and skills that the employer is seeking. Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume, particularly in the summary, skills section, and work experience. This customization demonstrates your understanding of the role and increases the chances of your resume making it past the initial screening process.
This doesn’t have to be a daunting task, just a few edits (if necessary) could be the difference between a resume that fails to pass ATS (or one that gets binned) and one that lands an interview.
9. Use a Template that Works
All of these tips can be better applied if you’ve got a professional, yet beautiful template that passes ATS and positions you as the one for the job.
But you don’t have a template, do you?
Well, you do now!
Click here to download our top 3 resume templates to help you get started with building a professional resume.
EXTRA TIP: Seek Professional Guidance and Feedback
Writing a highly effective tech resume can be a daunting task, and maybe writing a resume is just not your cup of tea. If you find yourself struggling or seeking an extra edge, consider seeking guidance from professional resume writers or career coaches who specialize in the tech industry. These experts can provide valuable advice on resume structure, content optimization, and industry-specific insights, helping you craft a resume that truly stands out.
Just click here, and we will help you do all this and so much more to turbocharge your chances of landing your dream job.
Final Thoughts
Crafting an effective tech resume requires careful consideration of the content, format, and design. By tailoring your resume to match the job requirements, highlighting your skills and achievements, and presenting the information in a clear and concise manner, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.
Remember to continuously update your resume as you gain new skills and experiences, and customize it for each job application. A well-written and well-structured tech resume, coupled with a strong online presence and networking efforts, will significantly improve your chances of landing your desired tech role.
We’re rooting for you!