It can be especially challenging to write an IT resume. This industry is constantly evolving, and resumes need to be updated on a regular basis. Here are five tips for writing an IT resume that will get you that interview.
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Shorten Your Resume
Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people. They don’t have a lot of time to read lengthy resumes. You want to limit your resume to one page—two at the most if you are at a more senior level in your career. Remove work experience from high school or college unless you are right out of college and beginning your career.
Make sure all of the experience listed on your resume is relevant to the job you are applying for. You want to highlight your biggest achievements. You may need to alter your resume for each position you apply to based on what they are specifically looking for.
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Use the Best Keywords
Go back to the job listing, and make sure all the keywords in the listing are also on your resume. You basically want to sell yourself as being the most perfect person for the job, and the best way to get them to read your resume is to highlight how you have the skills, knowledge, and experience they are looking for. Using the same keywords they used is a great way to do this.
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Highlight Accomplishments and List Your Skills
A lot of resumes have a list of tasks that were performed every day in a previous job. This is fine, but it doesn’t make you stand out. On the other hand, it’s great if you can be specific about your accomplishments and how they contributed to the success of the company. For example, if you developed a program that made processes more efficient and saved the company money or time, it’s definitely important to mention. Be as specific as possible. IT recruiters particularly appreciate this type of data.
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Take a Look at Resume Examples
A quick search on a search engine will give you a ton of resume examples to browse through. Look up examples that are specifically for the position you are applying for. By taking a look at other successful resumes, you’ll be able to compare your resume and make sure it stands up.
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Thoroughly Proofread and Edit Your Resume
You don’t want to have typos, spelling errors, or grammar errors on your resume. You want to make the best first impression. Of course, there will always be mistakes that are difficult to catch, but try reading your resume out loud. This will help you to catch any awkward language, omitted words, and grammar mistakes. It’s also a good idea to have a trusted friend or family member—especially if they have a lot of experience with business documents or proofreading—take a look at your resume. Sometimes you need a second pair of eyes to catch mistakes you miss.
It can seem overwhelming to work on an IT resume, but it doesn’t have to. If you put enough time and effort into it, you’ll be able to create a resume that will grab their attention and get you into that interview.
