Resume of an IT Specialist: How to Write it Correctly in Terms of HR

It is the HR representatives who filter the incoming resume stream: those emails that meet the required criteria are sent to the technicians for further consideration, and the others end up in the recycle bin. To find out which resumes are considered suitable or unsuitable, we analyzed the tips of HR managers and recruiters of IT companies to share their vision and highlight common mistakes of candidates.

 

Resume Size

Most HR managers and recruiters believe that the optimal size is 1-2 pages: this volume is convenient for study and analysis. Three pages may be acceptable if the candidate has extensive experience that is really important for the position and the information is well structured. In the general case, it is sufficient to indicate the last three jobs. You can fill in additional information on Linkedin and add a link to your profile in the resume.

 

General Structure

The main components of the resume: 

• contact information;
• description of skills and knowledge;
• work experience;
• education;
• description of achievements,
• and awards.

If you have a wealth of experience and the resume is full of information, it makes sense to bring the most important data up – before a detailed description of recent jobs to form a summary section.

Creating a correct resume might be a really challenging task. In that way, it is worth asking for help from professionals who know exactly how to make an impressive resume. Check the best IT resume writing services review in order to find the relevant service for you.

Regarding the link to the LinkedIn profile instead of a full resume: only several HR representatives are against such a replacement. Most HR professionals allow this option, provided that the profile is filled in detail and quality, and the level of the candidate is middle/senior and above.

The advantages of this approach are a universal format and the opportunity for the recruiter to immediately see the recommendations for the candidate and their social activity. Among the disadvantages – the inability to adapt the profile to the requirements of each vacancy that interests you.

 

Photo

Most recruiters believe that the photo is not mandatory or crucial. The presence of a photo can be a plus because it adds personification. However, in order not to spoil the impression, it is better to choose a restrained business photo, where the face is clearly visible. 

 

Description of Experience

In this section, it is important to maintain a clear structure and chronology. Standard structure: dates (month and year) of work for the company, name of the company, job title, a few sentences about responsibilities, role in the project, and technology stack. In the last paragraph, you can also mention what exactly was done and achieved during the period of work.

If during the work there were several projects for the employer, it is better to register them separately. If there were a lot of projects, it is enough to choose the most revealing and relevant for the position you are applying for. The experience that was 5 years before can be left out or described very briefly. Most likely, this information is no longer relevant – unless the past experience is really relevant to the position in question. The chronology is reversed – from the last place of work to the older ones.

 

Personal Qualities

Most HR managers do not think that this section should be present in the resume because it is mostly filled with a banal set of qualities. However, if you fill in this section correctly, you can stand out against other candidates. To do this, you need not just indicate the qualities, but accompany them with examples from professional life: why do you consider yourself sociable, friendly, or responsible.

Also in this section, you can specify your hobbies and additional skills that connect you to the vacancy. For example, you send a resume to a project that develops audio programs, and at the same time, you studied at a music school. Alternatively, you can write why you are looking for this job or why this profession is interesting to you, why you consider yourself successful in it.

 

Cover Letter

In most cases, for IT positions, there is no need to add a separate text file with a story about yourself but it is worth specifying the minimum information directly in the body of the letter. Recruiters recommend to:

• introduce yourself;
• write which vacancy you are applying for;
• indicate the location (if the company has offices in different cities);
• add a brief description of your experience and skills that correspond to this vacancy.

Important: not just a generalization of experience, but a customized text in accordance with the requirements specified in a particular vacancy. Template posts mostly cause negative attitudes.