If you’re on the job search, you’ve probably already heard all sorts of stats about how long a hiring manager looks at your resume: 6 seconds, 7.4 seconds, 15 seconds—you’ve heard them all. And it’s true that experienced recruiters can tell if you’re a good fit with just a glance, so it’s up to you to make your resume catch their attention. If you want to make sure your resume has a shot at moving past that first stage, here are five tips from an IT staffing agency to help you stand out in a competitive tech job market.
List Coding and Technical Skills Near the Top
If you’re applying for a tech position, your coding and technical skills should be the first thing a hiring manager sees. Try to list the most impressive skills near the top of the page, so they’ll be easy to spot.
And of course, if the job description asks for specific skills or certifications and you have them, be sure to list them. Your resume might even go with an applicant tracking system (ATS) before reaching a recruiter; it’s a good idea to use the same language as the job listing, so you’ll be sure to pass an ATS scan.
Include Personal Projects
Personal development and projects show that you keep your skills sharp and are willing to try new things. By including these under your experience section, you can show potential employers that you’re able to think outside the box and take initiative.
Any technical accomplishments outside of the workplace are also a plus; if you’ve won coding awards, been published in industry blogs, or even spoken at a conference—include it.
Include Any Certifications or Boot Camps
Nothing else says “Hey, I’m qualified” to an IT staffing agency like a certification or boot camp. If you’ve gone through a rigorous program to prove your skills and knowledge in the tech industry, be sure to put it front and center on your resume.
This also proves to employers that you are willing to learn new things and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies.
Only Mention Relevant Experience
One of the surest ways to get your resume thrown in the “no” pile is by including irrelevant experience. As recruiters are scanning through your resume, they want to be able to easily tell if you have the skills and experience that match their job description.
Make sure that whatever past experiences or accomplishments you include on your resume are related to the job you’re applying for. If it’s not relevant, leave it out if it’s too much information.
This will depend on how many years of experience you have, but a good rule of thumb is not to have anything more than 10–15 years old on your resume. If you’ve graduated from college, try to avoid anything from high school.
Link to Your Portfolio and Professional Profiles
If you have a portfolio of projects, or a professional profile on sites like LinkedIn, include a link on your resume. This will give recruiters an easy way to learn more about you and see the full scope of your work.
By making sure that your resume is up-to-date with relevant experience and technical skills, you’ll have a much better chance of catching the attention of recruiters and making it to the interview stage.
Start Planning for a Tech Salary With Aris Search
An IT staffing agency can be a great resource when it comes to getting your resume noticed by employers. Focused recruiters can help tech professionals find a fitting opportunity for them, so don’t feel like you have to spend months searching for a job only to get passed up by other applicants.
With Aris Search, we’ll do our best to help you find the right company, get your resume through the door, and make sure you get the salary you deserve. Schedule a call today so we can simplify your job search.
