If you are looking for a job in the tech field, be it your first job or you want to switch fields, you should know how to prepare for this process correctly. One of the most essential things you start with is creating a resume.
This is the first impression about you and the document that will decide whether you’ll be invited to the interview. If you want a perfect resume without any problems, it is best to address top resume-writing services for software engineers who will help you with this task.
Common Errors in the Engineering Resume
A recruiter’s acquaintance with a candidate begins with a resume and, unfortunately, often ends at this stage. Here is a list of the points where newbies usually make mistakes: they ignore their LinkedIn profile, they don’t draw up a CV correctly, they write more than two pages, they don’t proofread for errors, and they leave unnecessary information.
Sometimes, candidates use LinkedIn as a secondary social network – and that’s a mistake. Make it a rule to systematically, for example, every three months, update your career and training history and add skills and achievements. A well-completed profile presents you as a professional, and in the case of a job search, you can transfer information from LinkedIn to PDF format – and get a ready-made resume.
Size and design
The logos of the companies you worked for do not enhance the impression, but they occupy the page, so it is enough to list the names. Sometimes, candidates try to grab attention with a non-standard design. It turns out badly because the employer needs help understanding where to look: how to find contact information, where to look for information about education, and what skills the candidate has.
A one-page, predictable CV can be better perceived and quickly scanned in 10-15 seconds. If HR has seen the data necessary for the vacancy during this time, the candidate gets to the next step.
Job title
For some reason, candidates forget to write what position they are applying for, and from the list of past jobs or studies, this information is not always clear. A person could work in the banking sector, then take coding courses, retrain, and now want to get a business analyst position. It seems like it could be more apparent to the employer, even if the business analysis courses are listed on the resume.
Mistakes in the text
Typos and mistakes create the impression that the applicant needs to be more professional or inattentive. Not only words can be incorrect but also data: for example, one city or even a country is indicated, and you live and are looking for a job in another one.
How to Write a Resume: Checklist
- Write down everything you already know: all achievements, education, courses, certificates, and skills, to see the whole map of your knowledge and experience.
- Highlight the key points: you may have solved a problem, made an optimization, or successfully introduced an innovation.
- Determine which companies you want to work in and find out a particular company’s expectations. Usually, they are voiced in the vacancy itself. Then, you should go to the site and study a blog with a mission and values; maybe something else suits you, or, on the contrary, your experience does not meet the employer’s expectations.
- Describe the skills as expected. A simple principle works here: you can read the job description and write what skills and experience match the employer’s expectations. This will help you to stand out from the rest.
- Do not list your responsibilities in a past job; talk about achievements suitable for this job: what you have successfully implemented or changed.
First, figure out what direction or specialization you want to work in. Over time, the goal may change; think about where to start now, and expectations can be adjusted later.