5 Actionable Ways to Improve your Resume and Land Your Dream Job in Tech This Year

If you're looking for a job in tech and currently working on your resume, chances are that you've come across the advice to keep it short, concise, and highlight your unique strengths.

And it's true — I mean, what's not to like about those tips?

The catch is, considering how competitive the tech hiring market has become, companies and recruiters have an extremely short attention span. And being an ever-attractive industry for both men and women alike, the technology sector has many talented professionals popping up like wildflowers every day.

This means: You have to figure out a way to stand out.

Changing careers is stressful enough as is. Luckily, there are ways that you can make yourself stand out above the rest by improving your tech resume and taking strategic steps to showcase your talent.

This guide is for those who want to get a job in tech but are in desperate need to update their CV. Learn how to make an excellent tech resume that helps you land your next job and impress recruiters to get offered a higher salary, better benefits, and improved work conditions.

We’ve got your back!

Below are the five best ways to get your CV noticed so that you’re invited in for an interview:

1. Boost your tech resume by adding keywords
2. Keep sentences short and straightforward
3. Include important sections that are relevant to tech recruiters
4. Add data and stats in your tech resume to show results
5. Should you add a photo?

Let’s go into each of these in detail, one by one.

Employers are looking for candidates who have a certain set of skills and experience. So you need to show that you have those qualities on your resume.

That's where keywords come into play. Keywords are words or phrases that relate to the job you're applying for and that employers are looking for when they review resumes.

For example, if an employer is hiring someone for a web development position, they'll be searching resumes for terms like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery, etc. — all of which are coding languages related to web development and designing websites with these tools.

The best way to use keywords is when describing your experience in previous positions, internships, or projects you've worked on. Strategically adding keywords here and there will help make sure that employers see that you're qualified for the position being offered.

Pro Tip: Include keywords from the job posting.

Let’s say that you're applying for a software engineering position at Microsoft. Check out their job postings before submitting your application. You'll see that they often list certain keywords that they're looking for in applicants' resumes. Use these keywords when describing your experience on your resume so that it matches up with their needs.

If you want to convey professionalism and expertise, avoid bullet points in your tech resume. This keeps it from seeming as if you're simply listing keywords for the sake of it (and a resume as such could be dismissed as too generic).

Instead, write full (yet concise) sentences that accurately describe your strengths and experience in detail. In short, be concise and thorough while keeping it straightforward.

This means: don't try too hard to impress people with fancy words or long sentences — keep things as simple as possible while still conveying your message effectively.

The employer isn't interested in reading a novel. Rather, they’re interested in knowing what makes you qualified for this specific role and why they should hire you over other candidates applying for the same position.

Part of building a great tech resume is making sure it's well-organized and formatted correctly.

So if you are looking for a job in the tech industry, it is important to understand what types of resumes employers expect to see.

The following tips will help you improve your resume and get noticed:

1. Remove irrelevant work experience...

Don't include anything on your resume that isn't directly related to your job search. If there are gaps in your employment history, try to explain them briefly in a cover letter or during an interview.

2. … but include all relevant skills.

Employers want to ensure they’re not wasting time with candidates that aren’t a good match. Be thorough in listing all your skills, experience, and education.

3. Include a personal statement.

This section should focus on the position you are seeking and what you can bring to that position. It should be one or two sentences long, but no more than three and should give the reader a clear sense of your professional aspirations.

Be sure to include keywords related to the position and industry you're applying for, such as "software engineer," "mobile developer," "web designer," etc.

For example:

"Objective: Seeking an entry-level software developer position at a company where I can apply her experience in Java programming and Agile development methods."

4. Contact information

Ensure it is up-to-date and accurate at all times. This includes email address, phone number, and social handles.

5. Education

List your education by school name, city, state, and dates of attendance for each degree or certificate listed. Include any relevant coursework, honors received and GPA if available.

Including data and stats in a tech resume can help show results such as increased ROI or productivity over time. This makes it easier for recruiters to see how well someone performed.

You can also add proof such as testimonials from customers, past clients, or results from past projects as part of your resume's objective statement or career.

A photo can make your resume stand out – but only if it's appropriate and makes sense for the job you're applying for.

If you're in college or getting started in your tech career, it might not be the best moment to include one as it could signal a lack of experience.

But if you're in your late 20s or 30s and have a decent bit of previous work experience, it can help give potential employers an idea of what you look like and how you present yourself in person.

Truthfully, there are no right or wrong answers. But keep in mind that adding a picture to your resume could hurt your chances of getting the job because it could distract from your relevant skills and experience.

Your resume is as special as you are.

This is your golden opportunity to stand out and get the attention of a potential employer faster than your counterparts. Take advantage of these tips to improve your tech resume and make sure it’s reaching its full potential to land your dream job in tech in no time.

Finally, TieTalent supports job seekers in both Germany and Switzerland to find jobs based on your specific needs, with job opportunities that are tailored just for you.