I’m a software engineer and a Team Lead. I participate in the hiring process of other engineers in the company and over the last year I've helped hire 15 software engineers in our company and conducted around 45 interviews. In my experience, one of the biggest challenges for applicants is applying with a well-structured resume. Due to this common issue, only 3 out of 10 resumes would make it to the initial interview. Candidates keep on repeating the same mistakes in the structure of the resume. They don’t talk about their actual skills and include irrelevant information. I want to share some tips and tricks on how to make your resume stand out based on my experience. Do’s and Don’ts: General If you know Front-end and Data science, you can work on both positions. Hence you need two resumes. Each of them should contain the experience that is relevant to a given position. This raises your chances of getting the job. DON’T: List every possible work experience that you had 2020 — Front-end developer 2019 — Data scientist & Python developer 2018 — Full-stack developer 2017 — Back-end developer 2016 — Embedded engineer 2015 — English teacher 2014 — Baywatch lifeguard DO: Show relevant experience for the role that you’re applying to Work experience relevant to Front-end: 2020 — Front-end developer 2018 — Full-stack developer Work experience relevant to Data Science: 2019 — Data scientist & Python developer 2018 — Full-stack developer 2017 — Back-end developer : The best length is 2–3 pages. In my experience it’s hard to focus and read when it’s past third page. Tip Structural Block of a Resume Name and general information Always specify your contact details. It’s hard to believe but from what I've seen, 1 out of 2 candidates tend to forget to include this information. DO: Keep relevant and concise contact details Name and surname Email Phone number Website Linkedin Your city : A photo is not necessary. Instead of your photo in the resume you could attach a link to your LinkedIn with the photo available there. Don’t attach a random selfie with a bad lighting as this will not look professional on your resume. Tip 1 : Full address is not necessary. Unless the potential employer is going to post to your address. Tip 2 Summary of qualifications The main goal of your summary of qualifications is to show that you’re qualified for this particular role. It’s useful to highlight your work, skills and achievements throughout your career. Bullet points will help keep the summary concise. DON'T: Have many summaries in one sentence 4+ years IT experience in development, software architecture, e-commerce and corporate/investment banking DO: Have one summary per sentence 4+ years of experience in software development I was responsible for software architecture on my previous project I worked in different areas of software development: ranging from e-commerce to corporate/investment banking Work experience Your recent experience is the most valuable on your resume. Therefore sort places of work in descending order starting with the latest. This will help the reader see the most valuable information first. It's useful to have these listed with each workplace you mention: Technologies used Your responsibilities Team size What you've being working on The most recent place of work should be described in most detail. In this way the prospective employer would see your latest and relevant experience first. Structure the information in order to better read it. Use bullet points and start with the verbs. In this way it’s easier to show your achievements. Tip: DO: Use bullet-points and verbs when describing work experience Programmer, July 2011 – present Technologies Used: , PHP, Ruby, Javascript Solve software errors by running extensive testing processes and analyzing details about the program settings. Review computer software program functionality and adjust capabilities to reflect project objectives, management input, or other feedback. Lead the building process of new program development by managing all tasks and supervising the team of analysts and operators Backend Developer, January 2011, Duration: Three months Technologies Used: Python, PHP, Ruby, Javascript Created a content management system serving as a client interface that reduced download times by 30%. Developed a new admin panel, which improved internal operating efficiency by over 40%. Created a comprehensive testing regime using RSpec to ensure bug-free code. Rebuilt the entire website with up to date technologies and frameworks. Verbs that you can use to describe your experience: Architect, Deliver, Implement Maintain Help Coach Support Work, Had experience with, Design Skills For IT — this would be programming languages, for other professions it will be program, online-platforms and techniques. DO: Group skills by topic Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence: Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, Keras, Sklearn, TensorFlow, OpenCV, Natural Language Processing, Supervised Learning, Unsupervised Learning Data Mining: Data Pre-processing, Data VIsualization, Market-Basket algorithm Mathematics: Statistics, Bayesian Inference Network Education Even if you have a degree in psychology and you apply for an IT job. It makes sense since a degree gives a good base. Always specify your degree in your resume. This will show that you’re capable of learning and are familiar with deadlines. Next, mention courses that you’ve passed. Courses are much shorter than a degree. That’s why only specify courses only those related to the field. If you want to be a marketing expert and have recently passed a sewing course — most likely it’s not worth specifying on the resume (only if you’re not applying for a marketing expert of the clothing brand). Keep in mind that work experience is most valuable. It will describe you better than any online course. Hence if you have relevant experience, you most likely don’t need to mention online courses. Additional I would not suggest to mention all your hobbies. Potential employers would not be interested in your interests in playing tennis and skiing. Instead you could mention your interests related to work. This could be: Attended conferences Hackathons IT courses Articles Is It Worth Including Non-IT Experience? If you're applying for a Junior position and you have no experience you could rework your existing experience and highlight your qualities which could be applied to all areas, including IT. What can be included here? Keeping a friendly atmosphere in the team Motivating your colleagues Responsibility for substantial orders and financial reports Process management within the company DON'T: Show experience relevant to only one industry General Manager, McDonald’s, 2019–2020 Was responsible for operating and running a profitable restaurant. Met McDonald's high customer standards of quality, service, and cleanliness. Hired and developed a team of department and shift managers to ensure a successful franchise. Provided coaching to 10+ employees at grilling, frying, and coffee stations. DO: Show experience relevant to any area, including IT General Manager, McDonald’s, 2019–2020 Maintained a positive atmosphere among employees despite demanding conditions. Supervised a 10+ person team in a fast-paced environment by effectively multitasking. Managed expense reports, as well as the purchasing of supplies and equipment worth more than $25,000. Oversaw the scheduling of crew members, maintaining flexibility despite the sudden changes in schedules. What else could you mention? Interships Online-courses Pet projects with technologies that you're interested in You could publish your homework for the courses as part of your experience. If the work you have done is related to programming - publish the code into GitHub and paste the link on your resume. Conclusion Otherwise the employer will skip entire paragraphs which you have carefully written. Specify only the experience relevant to the position you are applying to. Ideal resume length is 2-3 pages. Don't forget to mention your contact details. Then describe your past experiences with less details to save space and attention of the reader for other important information. Describe your most recent experience in most detail. regardless of which field it's in. Courses though should only be relevant to the field you are applying to. Mention your degree If you don't have an IT experience, then highlight your qualities which easily transferable to IT from other fields. Tell me about your experience in the comment section. Which rules are you following when constructing a resume? Extra mile How Should I Format My Contact Information on a Resume? Programmer CV Example How to List Projects on a Resume (Work, Personal, Academic) How should I list my programming skills in a resume? Should You Include Irrelevant Work Experience on a Resume?
