Looking for a tech job means having an effective resume.
In order to get a tech job, you will need to have a resume. While many types of tech jobs are plentiful, it still pays to write the best possible resume. After all, you want to get the best possible job with the best possible compensation and benefits — the right job for you.
Writing an Effective Tech Resume: The Dos
Keep It Short
Although many resumes are now screened with ATS software, which doesn’t consider length, your resume will eventually be looked at by the hiring team if you make it that far into the process. Nobody wants to read about every single job you’ve ever had and overly detailed descriptions of those jobs.
Tailor Resume to Each Job
You can keep your tech resume shorter if you tailor it to each job, including the most relevant jobs, education, and technical or soft skills for the exact job to which you are applying.
Concentrate on Accomplishments
Instead of just describing what your job duties were for each job listed on your resume, focus on what you were able to accomplish at each job. Use numbers like “decreased server downtime 55 percent” or “trained 25 new employees in Excel.” Using action verbs to describe these accomplishments will also make them sound stronger.
Your resume needs the right formatting to clear the ATS software.
Hit the Right Keywords
Applicant tracking software scans resumes for keywords the hiring team considers relevant. If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, it may be passed over, and you won’t move forward in the process. You can use keywords from the job description in your resume to ensure that an ATS will see your tech resume as compatible with the job.
Format Attractively
Using bulleted lists rather than paragraphs will make your resume easier to read, and important information will pop out at the reader easily. The less hard you make the hiring team work, the better impression your tech resume will make.
Writing an Effective Tech Resume: The Don’ts
Skip the Objectives
Employers want to know how your tech skills can benefit them, not how their job will further your career goals (at least not primarily). Today’s tech resumes generally skip the objectives section and use that space to write a two-three sentence summary of why you would fit well in the position.
Nix Personal Information
You don’t need to put any personal information on your tech resume other than a contact phone number and email address (which can even be professional if you have them). Marital status, birth date, and social security number — even your street address are unnecessary on a modern resume. If you want the hiring team to know that you are local to the area, you can indicate that without giving your address.
Don’t Rush In
Finding the right tech job takes time. It can be exciting when a company shows interest in your resume, but take your time and evaluate the company as stringently as they are evaluating you. That way you will have confidence that the job is one that will help build your career.
Before you build your resume, you’ve got to build your skills. PC AGE provides job search training with each course students take. Contact us to learn about our programs and how you can gain the skills you need for a tech career.
Rameez Khizer, IT Marketing