Creating a winning IT resume - Tips and Best Practice

16 Feb

A well-written resume is essential for job seekers who want to make an impression on recruiters and secure interviews.

A superb resume concisely and persuasively summarises your most relevant experiences, skills, and achievements. Include relevant keywords, provide concrete examples of your achievements, include numbers, when possible, proofread carefully, tailor your resume to each position you apply for, and start with a catchy title or summary statement. In this post, we'll discuss best practice in further depth and provide suggestions for crafting a resume that can help you achieve your career goals.

1. TAILOR YOUR RESUME TO THE JOB YOU WANT BY HIGHLIGHTING THE ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THAT ROLE.

Create a resume that is targeted to the job you want. As part of this process, it is important to highlight your experience and skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

Here's the way to get things done:

• Pay special attention to the exact requirements outlined in the position's qualifications and job description.

• It is important to tailor your CV to each individual position to demonstrate that your skills and experiences are a good fit for the open position

• Include relevant keywords and phrases from the job description in your CV to highlight why you're a good fit for the role.

• The most relevant parts of your resume should be placed at the top so that potential employers can see them right away.

Customizing your resume for each position you apply for is a great way to stand out from the competition. This is important since it demonstrates to the potential employer that you have done your research and can meet their specific requirements for the position. 

2. MAKE YOUR RESUME SUCCINCT, WELL-ORGANIZED, AND LEGIBLE BY USING A CLEAR STRUCTURE AND LEGIBLE TYPEFACE

• Keep your resume to no more than two pages in length.

• Pick an easy-to-read, professional typeface like Arial or Calibri and use it consistently throughout the entire manuscript.

• Use bullet points, headings, and plenty of white space to make your resume easy to read

• Emphasize your headline/summary statement, professional experience, and educational background to make it easier for employers to find the information they need.

• Do not fill up your resume with unnecessary information or images.

If your CV is clear and concise, potential employers will have an easier time reading it and understanding your skills and experiences. Furthermore, it will show that you pay close attention to detail and are a great communicator.

3. USE AN ATTENTION-GRABBING LEAD-IN OR HEADLINE

• The headline or summary statement is a brief opening (one to two phrases) to your resume that summarises your qualifications.

• Be sure it conveys your value proposition in a way that is concise, compelling, and easy to understand

• Include keywords that are both relevant to the position you're applying for and consistent with the rest of your resume.

• Include your relevant industry, years of experience, and top skills in your resume's summary or other places it will be easily seen.

A strong headline or summary statement sets the tone for your resume and makes a positive first impression on the company. Your value proposition will be communicated more effectively, and more people will view your CV.

4.  INCLUDE RELEVANT KEYWORDS FROM THE JOB DESCRIPTION

• A keyword is a term used in a job description or a set of requirements to describe a particular set of abilities.

• Include these phrases in your resume so the hiring manager can quickly find the skills and experience that you have that meet their needs.

• Use relevant keywords in your headline/summary statement, experience, and skills sections, and bullet points inside each area.

• Use keywords sparingly and in a natural way to maintain your resume easy to read and understand.

Using appropriate keywords in your resume will help you be noticed by potential employers and boost your chances of being selected for an interview. This allows applicant tracking systems (ATS) to quickly analyse resumes for relevant keywords before handing them off to a human reader. The usage of keywords in your resume increases both its discoverability and its chances of being read.

5. PUT A MONETARY VALUE ON THE RESULTS YOU'VE ACHIEVED

• If you want to impress potential employers with your work history, you should quantify your successes with numbers and data. This will make your achievements seem more tangible and will also draw attention to the results you achieved in past roles.
   
• Use metrics like sales, budget, project timelines, and customer satisfaction to demonstrate your impact.  If the data can be represented graphically, such as with graphs or charts, it will be much easier for the potential employer to absorb the information.

Quantifying your achievements and highlighting them with data can help you stand out to the employer and show them the true value you can offer to the position. Self-reflection, analytical prowess, and meticulousness are also highly valued qualities, so be sure to display these.  

6. DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR WORK FOR TYPOS

Prior to sending in your application, make sure it is free of any spelling or grammar mistakes.

• Read it over several times, and maybe even have someone else look at it , to be sure there are no mistakes you missed.

• Make sure your email, phone number, and mailing address are correct and up-to-date.

• It is imperative that you verify the accuracy of all dates, job titles, and company names.

• Make sure the presentation is consistent and polished by checking things like font and spacing.

Professionalism and care for detail are displayed in the final product if you take the time to proofread. Mistakes or inconsistencies on your CV can send up a red flag to prospective employers, reducing the likelihood of being selected for review. Editing your CV can increase its effectiveness and your likelihood of getting the job. 

7. YOU SHOULD ADAPT YOUR CV FOR EACH JOB THAT YOU APPLY FOR

•  Always address the specific requirements and qualifications listed in each job advertisement when submitting your CV.
   
• Go over the job description and requirements, and then emphasise how your abilities, encounters, and successes align with what the business is seeking.
   
• Consider reordering your experiences or adding new information to make your CV more tailored to the position you're applying for.
   
• Include the same keywords from the job posting in your resume to show that you are knowledgeable with the field you are applying to.

If you tailor your resume to each position you apply for, you'll show the hiring manager that you care about the company and are dedicated to meeting its specific demands. More importantly, it raises the chances of your resume being selected for examination by making it more pertinent to the position for which you are applying. Doing so could increase your odds of receiving an interview and ultimately landing the job. 

Last, but not least, if you want to get interviews and advance in your work, you need to put together a solid resume. Following best practises like highlighting relevant experiences, using keywords, quantifying accomplishments, proofreading carefully, tailoring your resume for each job, and starting with a compelling headline or summary statement can increase the likelihood that your resume will be noticed and chosen for review. Putting in the effort to create a resume that stands out from the crowd will help you be noticed by potential employers and increase your chances of finding the job of your dreams. 

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF A WELL-WRITTEN RESUME FOR AN IT PROFESSIONAL:

HEADLINE:

Experienced IT Professional with a strong background in software development and network administration.

SUMMARY:

• Results-driven IT professional with 5 years of experience in software development and network administration.
• Proven track record of delivering innovative solutions, optimizing system performance, and ensuring high-quality delivery of projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience in project management, with a focus on meeting deadlines and budget constraints.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Software Developer, ABC Company

• Developed and maintained a cloud-based application that increased user satisfaction by 25% and reduced downtime by 50%.
• Implemented Agile methodology to streamline software development processes, resulting in a 20% increase in project delivery speed.
• Worked closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and delivered high-quality software that met their needs.
• Collaborated with the QA team to ensure the software was thoroughly tested and delivered with minimal bugs.

Network Administrator, DEF Company

• Managed the company's network infrastructure, including servers, firewalls, switches, and wireless access points.
• Implemented a disaster recovery plan that reduced downtime from 8 hours to 2 hours in the event of a network failure.
• Conducted regular system maintenance and upgrades to optimize performance and security.
• Troubleshot and resolved network issues in a timely and efficient manner, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate among users.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Software Development: Java, Python, C#, Ruby on Rails
• Network Administration: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Operating Systems: Windows Server, Linux
• Databases: MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, XYZ University
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

This resume showcases the IT professional's relevant experiences, skills, and achievements, and demonstrates their value as a candidate. The headline and summary statement immediately grab the reader's attention and provide a clear overview of the candidate's background and strengths. The work experience section provides specific examples of the candidate's achievements and impact, using numbers and statistics to quantify their results. The technical skills section lists the candidate's relevant technical skills, certifications, and education, highlighting their expertise and qualifications. This resume is well-organized, easy to read, and effectively showcases the candidate's value as an IT professional.