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info@brainbridge.be
2030 Antwerp
Belgium
T +32 3 546 01 20
F +32 3 542 61 19
info@brainbridge.be
As confirmed by a quick check of Google Trends, resumes have become far more fashionable than traditional CVs over the past 12 months. it’s no surprise that concise, single-page resumes are now the defacto choice; according to job-matching service, TheLadders, recruiters and hiring managers spend, on average, just six seconds reviewing each resume they receive. So, how can you write an IT resume that lasts longer than six seconds and gets you hired?
Writing an effective IT resume can be a daunting task, so let us guide you through the entire process.
Before you begin…Remember; a resume is a one-page CV, so it needs to mix design, structure and the details of your more relevant professional experience. Your resume’s sole purpose is to land you an interview, so it needs to match the advertised profile for whichever job you are seeking.
We recommend a single-page, two-column layout with the following structure:
Mimicking the job title you are applying for will make a stronger first impression as that’s exactly what recruiters are searching for. When it comes to your photo, use one of yourself in a suit, or no photo at all. It’s your choice. Only include credentials after your name if they are professional designations, for example, PMP for Project Management Professionals. PhD/Ph.D. MBA are not professional designations and shouldn’t be included.
For example:
“Hard-working, versatile Senior Business Intelligence Developer with a passion for automating IT processes.”
Your IT skills summaryPut yourself in the shoes of the recruiter: they’re scanning through a stack of resumes in less than six seconds apiece, what skills do you think they are searching for? That’s right, the exact same skills they put in the job description! Don’t just send out the same generic resume for every job application; take the time to tailor your skills summary to match the job description and show you’re the right person for the job.
For example, let’s say the job description asks for the following:
You could structure your skills summary to mimic this description, as follows:
SKILLS SUMMARY
Business Objects XI 3.1 (3.8 years) Oracle (2.3 years) Qlikview (5.2 years)
After matching your skills to those shown in the job description, you need to support them with evidence of your work experience. Start with your current or most recent position and go backward chronologically from there, briefly touching on the following areas:
Remember, your resume should be a one-page version of a CV, so just stick to the highlights – not an exhaustive list of your accomplishments. Your job title is by far the most important detail – you’ll want to guide the recruiter’s eyes right there to stand the best chance of being shortlisted for an interview.
An example of this section would look as follows:
LATEST EXPERIENCE
.Net Developer
2016 – Present Belgium KBC
Implemented credit automation process that reduced time to under 30 minutes.
.NET - C# - PHP
Education
Start with your most recent entry and go backward from there, including the year you completed your studies, the degree, and its name. Certifications and licenses can be included in this section, or they can be listed in their own section below. Be sure to include relevant ongoing professional development courses, training, and seminars.
Here at Brainbridge, we understand how time-pressed IT professionals can struggle to knock out winning resumes. That’s why we recommend Sprint CV’s IT Resume template! This helps you generate your own interview-winning resume with next to no effort. Check out their IT Resume example here and consider signing up to Sprint CV to create your own!
Good luck!
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