Creating a Resume for IT Jobs
Making an Impression That Lasts
One of the most important aspects of your job search is your resume. It’s the first impression you make on an employer and your first chance to showcase your skills, talents and accomplishments. IT resumes are different from their traditional counterparts because they target both a technical and business audience. A powerful IT resume can wow your potential employer and secure an interview. Below are some helpful tips in creating a distinguishing IT resume.
Custom-Tailor Your Resume for the Job
Hiring managers can determine a candidate’s value and potential benefit within the first few minutes of glancing at a resume. During your career search, making a connection between you and a potential employer through your resume can increase your chances of securing a job interview.
Your resume should be custom tailored to meet their needs. Use the job description to write a focused technical summary that will go at the top of your resume to highlight your qualifications for the job. Showcase any work experience or accomplishments that match the technical qualities and skills the employer is looking for.
Many companies are also looking for candidates with achievements and skills other than those related to the technical field. Be sure to include skills such as the ability to communicate effectively and work well within a team to give hiring managers more insight into your capabilities.
In addition, you should have a basic understanding of the company and acquaint yourself with their values and goals. Conducting research shows that you are insightful of what the job and organization has to offer.
Make Your Resume Efficient
Hiring managers should not have to search for information on your resume. Show your technical skills in an organized manner by using easy-to-read bullet points and clean formatting. You can use skills and experience categories such as operating systems, programming / languages, Web and database applications or technical certifications to keep your resume organized and focused.
Using ready-made templates can also help keep your information organized. But beware: Not all programs read templates the same way. What looks clean and professional on your computer may look sloppy to your future employer.
Showcase Your Work
Include all job-related certifications on your resume because they show technical competence and initiative. They also distinguish you from the competition and may be the reason you are hired over others.
Provide brief synopses of your responsibilities at previous positions to show how your performance benefitted the company. For example, tell how your work enhanced the company’s efficiency, helped save the company money or otherwise contributed to positive outcomes. Include a bulleted list of your top projects, your role in them, what technologies were used as well as the impact on the company so they can be discussed during your interview.
Speak to Your Audience
People from many different educational backgrounds and specializations will be reviewing your resume. Besides IT staffing professionals, other nontechnical hiring managers may play vital roles in the hiring process. Speak at a level that can be understood by all key hiring players. Spell out acronyms on first mention to help readers become familiarized with new concepts.
Create a Buzz
Employers and IT staffing specialists look for certain key words when searching databases for candidates. The more key words you add to your IT resume, the more calls you will receive. Determine which key words to use by reviewing the job description for words referring to on-the-job skills. Finesse those words into your resume.
For more effectiveness, include words that appeal both to the technology sector and the employer’s industry. Get their attention by putting them in the career objective and technical summary to ensure your resume will not be overlooked when scanned over.
Length is Good … Sometimes
Forget the old one-page resume formula. For IT jobs, resumes that are a little longer can work in your favor. Don’t try to cram all of your experience onto one page but don’t write an autobiography, either. Long resumes have the potential to be rejected at first glance. Include as much relevant experience as necessary. The purpose of an IT resume is to secure an interview. Include succinct information that hooks the employer with the intention of providing the rest of the information during your interview.
What About A Cover Letter?
If you choose to include a cover letter, show the company what value you have to offer. Provide a synopsis of your background as it relates to the company. Cover letters also provide an opportunity to share stories that are not told on your resume.
Things to Avoid
- Grammatical and spelling errors. These show you lack communication skills or do not pay enough attention to detail.
- Randomly bolded text and fancy fonts. They can be too distracting.
- Photos, marriage status or other information that compromises Equal Employment Opportunity.
- Unprofessional e-mail addresses as a point of contact. Register for a more professional one instead.
Keep an Eye Out
These days, potential employers can find out more about you than what you display on your resume. The Internet has made it easier for hiring personnel to research candidates online and check what they are doing on social networks. Based on that, employers can make prejudged decisions before they even decide to interview you. Beware of what you post online or keep your profile private if it compromises your professional integrity.
Land the Job You Want
In addition to assisting candidates in creating an IT resume, the IT staffing specialists at Eastridge InfoTech also offer unique employment services that focus on cultural fit as well as skills matching, exclusive employment opportunities, interview coaching and more. Learn about the employment services we offer.