When searching for information technology jobs, your resume is the most important tool you have. Many resumes are being reviewed by hiring managers for the same job so your chance of getting noticed is very limited. Use the following tips to make your IT resume stand out, no matter if you’re looking for a new job or a promotion after completing your degree.
Add contact information to your LinkedIn profile
Although it may seem obvious, double-check your contact information. You should include your phone number and a professional-sounding email address at the top of your resume so that a hiring manager can easily contact you.
You might also want to include your traditional contact information. A link to your LinkedIn profile is an option. (You can personalize your URL under LinkedIn’s ” Private profile settings”.
According to SocialTalent’s 2017 Global Recruiting Survey 98% of recruiters use LinkedIn for sourcing. You can also display more information than a simple resume.
- Recommendations
- Skill endorsements
- Extensive descriptions of pertinent experience
Optimize your LinkedIn profile before you add it to your resume. Then, reach out to your network to get skill endorsements or recommendations.
Include your education, degree, and school
You can move your education to the bottom if you have extensive IT experience. If you are just graduating and don’t have any IT experience, this section should be moved to the top. John Finch’s IT resume shows little experience. We therefore placed his education at the top.
You might also want to review our suggestions for Purdue Global graduates on how you can list Purdue Global and Kaplan University on your resume .
You can tailor your resume to fit the role of experience
Make sure you have a solid core resume. Then personalize it with relevant skills and experiences to the job that you are applying for. You can list examples of work experience in groups, leadership, or volunteer projects if you don’t have any relevant professional experience. Include:
- Your role title
- The company, organization or other context (the “where”)
- Dates of the work experience or project
Wherever you can quantify your contribution, do so. Employers want to know how you contributed to the success of the projects that you have worked on. This could be building a network that serves a specific number of users in a given time or leading a project that achieved specific results. If possible, include examples of teamwork or leadership.
Add a Section on Technical Skills
Here you can list all software, languages, and programs you are familiar with. Make sure you review the technical requirements of the job for which your application is being made and include any relevant skills. You might want to list the most important skills first if you have many skills.
Employers are looking for certain attributes in a list
According to the 2018 Survey by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACCE), the most important attributes that employers are looking for in a resume include:
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to work as a member of a team
- Written communication skills
- Leadership
Other desirable skills for IT positions include knowledge of programming languages, databases technologies and software.
- Ability to prioritize tasks
- Level-headedness
- Flexibility and commitment
Strong words are best
Instead of using words to describe yourself as a worker, use action verbs in each section to explain what you have done. Instead of writing “hard worker” and “organized” in your resume, you can use words such as “led”, “achieved,” and “improved” for tangible results.
Use keywords
To help them find qualified candidates, many recruiters use an applicant track system (ATS). These tools scan resumes looking for keywords and could reject yours if it does not. For more information on the keywords the recruiter or hiring manager is looking for, take a look at the job posting.
Take Note of Your Certifications
List any certifications or trainings you have.
Let your personality shine
Recruiters look for people who are able to use their skills and fit the company’s culture. 83% of recruiters believe that cultural fit is important when considering applicants, according to Jobvite’s 2017 Recruitment Nation Report. You can list any volunteer activities or passions that you have in your resume.
Keep it at one to two pages
A single page is acceptable. It is acceptable to use a single page. The font should be legible at 12 points, but not less than 10 points. If you feel the need for two pages, ensure that the most important and pertinent information is on the first page. Print it only one-sided. Bring extra copies with you to the interview so that you can present in person.
Make it scannable
Format your information in easily readable chunks to help recruiters quickly get a clear picture of your experiences. To make your resume more appealing visually, use bullet points and subheads to break up large chunks of text.
Are you ready to further your IT career?
Do you think about returning to school to improve your skills and expand your career in IT? Purdue University Global has IT certificate programs that can help you advance your career. You can access our programs 100% online. This allows you to have the flexibility that you need while still managing work, family, and education. Contact us today for more information.