Are you searching for an IT job? Are you struggling with the application process? Don’t worry. Use these tips to build a technical resume employers will notice.
What to Include in Your Technical Resume
- Contact Information
This seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Start with an informative header. List your full name, phone number, email address and physical location. - Keywords from the Job Description
Writing one resume and sending it to multiple employers seems easy. Unfortunately, this method seldom produces results. Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to prescan applications. This means if your resume doesn’t contain particular words and phrases, it may not get past the computer. Modify your resume for each application by 1) printing the job description, 2) circling keywords and keyphrases, and 3) incorporating as many of those as possible into your application. - Relevant Work Experience and Accomplishments
Another way to customize your resume is by emphasizing the right achievements. Of course, you don’t want to leave unnecessary resume gaps. However, you should try to highlight those experiences most closely related to the job for which you are applying. - Details to Back Up Your Successes
Although you may have “Worked on a team to create a new app,” this statement doesn’t say much about you. Make your accomplishments jump off the page with facts and figures. For example, a better summary could be, “Collaborated with a team of five developers to design an app that increased online orders by 75% over six months. - Education and Certifications
Technical jobs usually require specific training and certifications. Therefore, be sure to include your exact qualifications. In addition, you may wish to record the tools and platforms with which you are familiar, as well as your skill level for each. A bullet list is one way to provide this information at a glance. For example, you could write, “Advanced: HTML and Javascript, Intermediate: Python,” and so on.
What NOT to Include in Your Technical Resume
- Photos, Graphics and Fancy Fonts
With technical resumes, simple formatting is best. You want your document to be neat and easy to read. Unless you are creating an infographic resume, additional elements will only be a distraction. - Buzzwords
These are the words everybody uses, and as a result, they’ve lost their meaning. Instead of falling back on phrases like creative, passionate, motivated, and team player, rely on action words combined with specific details to sell your achievements. - Acronyms
Unless acronyms are part of the job description, spell them out. Abbreviations can mean one thing at one company and something else at another. Plus, hiring managers may not be familiar with the latest technology terms. Remember, your main objective is to communicate effectively, even if your audience is non-technical.
Are You Looking for More Job Hunting Tips?
BOS Staffing provides weekly blog posts on various topics ranging from thank you emails to common interview questions. And, if you’re looking for a technical or IT job, we can help with that too! Check out our available openings in the greater Atlanta area today!
