Resume Writing Tips for IT

Your resume has only a few moments to give employers their first impression of you. Here are some basic guidelines.

Contact Information
This includes your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and e-mail address and should be listed at the top of your resume. Include the URL of a personal website only if the site shows off your skills or applies to your career goals.

Objective
Your objective gives recruiters a quick overview of who you are and what you are seeking, without forcing them to scan through your entire resume. Always emphasize what you will contribute to the company, not just what you want to receive.

Experience
List work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. Always include the company name, location, your title and dates of employment, along with a brief description of your accomplishments. If your latest job wasn’t your most impressive, you should arrange your list by importance.

Skills
Include your technical and computer skills in order to stand out in today’s competitive technology market. List programming languages, software programs and operating systems you’ve used as well as any certifications. Be sure to list any “soft skills” such as foreign languages. Always include any memberships in professional organizations to show you are dedicated and serious about your career.

Education
List your most recent education first. State your degree, major, minor, dates of attendance and the school’s name and location.

Remember:

• Be concise – stick to one page, make every word meaningful, and use as many action words as possible.
• Choose fonts that are readable, clean and consistent. Don’t use non-traditional or overly creative fonts.
• Use active voice. “I designed a brochure,” creates a stronger impression than “A brochure was designed by me.”
• Emphasize your most important responsibilities even if they weren’t your primary duties.
• Impress employers with cause-effect relationships and tangible results. Quantify achievements with numerical values such as “increased revenues 20 percent” and “managed four-person team.”

Read, edit and re-read your resume to ensure it’s well written and clear. Ask your friends and family to proofread and provide suggestions.

Remember, there’s nothing wrong with a little personal salesmanship, but be accurate and factual. Always be prepared to discuss anything on your resume.