Are you an ambitious developer eager to find the perfect formula when writing a CV (resume) that will score you a job at a top tech firm?
After all, a little resume help never hurt anyone!
But as you might have guessed already, crafting the ideal CV is no easy feat.
In fact, it can be downright daunting.
I decided to boost your chances of success by zeroing in on the eight most common mistakes developers make when writing their resumes.
As you might know, I am a bestselling author with about 2 million books sold globally.
Plus I created a program to help entrepreneurs to make money online called Make Profitable Courses Without The Overwhelm.
I love sharing insights and strategies to help people to become more successful.
With this in mind I put together this quick guide to stop developers from making mistakes when writing cv (resume).
8 Mistakes which Developers Can Make When Writing CV
By avoiding these gaffes, you’ll be well on your way to an outstanding CV that will help you get your foot in the door at the company of your choice.
1. Not quantifying your experience and skills
When it comes to resumes, numbers matter. If you want to win over a recruiter, be sure to include concrete data that illustrate your impact and expertise. For example, did you lead a team of developers in designing and launching a new web application? If so, here are two examples that will help you learn what’s wrong and what’s right:
- Wrong: Led team of developers in designing and launching a new web application.
- Right: Spearheaded team of five developers in designing, coding, and launching new web applications; achieved 100% user satisfaction rating.
See the difference? The latter example provides hard evidence of your skills and experience, while the former feels like empty bragging. When writing your resume, be specific and include as many quantifiable details as possible.
2. Making it too long
While it’s important to include relevant information about your experience and skills, you don’t want your resume to ramble on. The best cv writing service will keep your resume to two pages or less unless you have an extensive work history that is directly related to the position you’re applying for.
If you find yourself exceeding the two-page limit, go through your resume and remove any non-essential information. The goal is to make your biography as concise and easy to read as possible.
3. Not using action verbs
When describing your experience and skills, use powerful action verbs that will grab the reader’s attention. For example, instead of saying “helped design new web application,” you could say “nailed the design of a new web application.” Some examples of action verbs include:
- Developed
- Created
- Managed
- Implemented
- Streamlined
- Enhanced
The key is to make your resume sound as dynamic as possible. It’s a surefire way to impress recruiters.
4. Adding industry-specific jargon
When writing your resume, be sure to avoid using jargon that is specific to your industry. While you may be familiar with the keywords and acronyms used in your field, the person reading your resume probably isn’t.
If you must use industry-specific language, be sure to explain what the terms mean. This will ensure that your resume is understandable to a wider audience and prevent you from sounding like you’re speaking in code.
5. Forgetting to mention the programs you know best
When listing the skills and technologies you are proficient in, be sure to include the programs you know best. For example, if you specialize in Java development, be sure to mention that you know Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, and NetBeans.
Not only will this demonstrate your expertise in the technology, but it will also show that you are familiar with the most popular tools used in the industry. However, be careful not to add tools you are not actually familiar with, as this could come back to bite you during the interview process.
6. Including an objective statement
In today’s job market, objective statements are a thing of the past. With so many applicants vying for the same position, recruiters simply don’t have the time to read through each and every resume.
Instead of including an objective statement, use that space to include a professional summary that outlines your experience and skills. This will give the reader a better sense of who you are and what you can bring to the table.
7. Using a poor format
When it comes to resumes, the format is everything. If your resume is difficult to read or navigate, chances are it will end up in the trash. To avoid this, be sure to use clear headings and easy-to-read fonts.
You should also use white space to break up sections of text and make your resume more visually appealing. Finally, be sure to save your resume as a PDF so that it retains its formatting when viewed on different devices. Keep in mind that it’s much easier to create an impressive resume in the right format when you use templates.
8. Not proofreading your resume
When you’ve been staring at your resume for hours on end, it can be difficult to catch your own mistakes. This is why it’s important to have someone else take a look at your resume before you submit it.
Ask a peer or family member to read through your resume and point out any errors they see. Alternatively, you could hire a professional resume writer or editor to take care of the task for you.
Conclusion: Writing a CV (Resume)
While there is no universal solution for writing the perfect resume, avoiding these common mistakes will help you get one step closer to earning your dream job. Just remember to keep it concise, use strong action verbs, and proofread your resume before hitting “send.”
If you follow these simple tips, you can rest assured that your resume will make a great first impression on potential employers.
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