Resume Writing Tips: How to Write a Resume That Gets Interviews

Not getting a response from employers? Your resume is likely the biggest reason why you are being ignored and not given a chance. Data suggests that a single job opening gets over 500 applicants, and only 2 percent are called for further rounds. So, if you aren’t getting any calls, it means your resume is not powerful enough to convince employers of your abilities. Learn How to write a resume which will get Interviews.

The competition in the tech job market is extremely stiff, and if you want to stand out among the flood of applicants, you have to have a well-made tech resume. A technical resume should reflect not only who you are but what you are capable of. It should highlight job-relevant skills, experiences, and projects.

In this blog, we will guide you in drafting a technical resume that will impress employers. So, if you are in the process of job hunting and want to stand out, don’t miss out on the tips.

Tips to Write an Impressive Resume

A resume is basically you telling your story before meeting the employer.  By reading your resume, your employer makes an image of you and decides whether you are worthy of their time or not. So, you need to be very careful while creating a resume. Here are some tips to help you craft a resume that gets you noticed.

Include keywords that matter.

A big mistake most applicants make while writing their resume is not including relevant keywords. Recruiters globally use Applicant Tracking Systems that compare the applications to the job description and eligibility criteria set by the company. While this system is very effective and saves a lot of time and energy for the recruiters, it also removes the applications that don’t match the job description or contain the required skills. As per data, more than 80% of resumes are rejected during this process.

This means your tech resume will never reach the employer if you don’t make it ATS-friendly. So, the first thing you need to do for writing a resume which gets interviews is to include relevant keywords or phrases picked from the job description. If you use the same keywords from the job description in your resume, it will be easier for the ATS to read and accept it.

For instance, if the employer has mentioned skills like Spring Boot,  MySQL, etc. in the job description and you are applying for it, then you must mention these skills in your resume. You may have dozens of other relevant skills your but if you don’t have these in your resume, the ATS will reject your application.

Don’t add too much information; be specific and relevant

Sometimes, less is more, and for a resume to be effective, it has to have specific and relevant details. Writing 2-3 pages of stories about your skills or achievements will not help. Better you stick to skills and experience relevant to the job you’ve applied for.

• Make sure your cover letter and resume are brief, and fit on a single page, maximum 2 pages.
• Keep the format and structure of your resume simple so that recruiters can see your value with just a quick look.
• Don’t add minute details for every project, as it will make your resume lengthy. As recruiters have to scan numerous resumes in a limited time, there is no point in telling about everything you’ve done.
• When you modify your resume for the specific job role, include information that the employer may be looking for. You will find the cues for it in the job description.
• Include your email address, phone number, and social media handles in your resume. If you have a Git portfolio, include the link in your resume, as it will be easier for them to go and check your projects right away.
• Share your previous experience related to the job description. You may mention your volunteering or any other experience, too.
• Add information related to your certifications, awards, volunteering experience, and language proficiency, as they may be a differentiating factor for you. Highlight certifications that align with the job profile.
• Use the top one-third section of your resume to highlight your top skills, achievements, and relevant experience, and catch the recruiter’s attention during the initial scan. If the recruiter doesn’t find relevant information in the first section, there’s a higher chance that your resume may be overlooked or rejected.
• Ensure that whatever work history you write on your resume matches your work history on your social media profiles. You may be considered a red flag if your skills don’t match.
• Don’t make any grammatical errors in your resume. If the recruiter finds any typos or grammatical errors in your resume, they will leave your resume right away, no matter how good you are, and consider you non-serious and unprofessional.

Tip: While aesthetic is not important, a minimalistic, clean resume that is easy to scan through is more attractive to the employer as it shows you value their time.

Use action verbs to start the points.

When writing a tech resume, you have to ensure that it is detailed but, at the same time, refrain from being verbose. Action-oriented words coupled with numbers and facts should be used to begin your bullet points, as they are more powerful than just saying you did something.

For instance, instead of just saying redesigned account software systems for clients, say reduced 15 percent bugs by redesigning the client’s account software system.

You must convey relevant information, backing it with data and numbers. Avoid merely listing responsibilities; emphasize how you added value and contributed to project success. Incorporating factual data and relevant details will strengthen your case. By cutting down the fluff, you can make the employers believe in you and your abilities. There is a flood of resumes for employers to review, and you have a limited time to make an impression, so focus on facts over fluff.

Add a good resume summary that covers everything your resume has

As we said earlier, the top part of your resume is very important. A great way to use that space is by adding a resume summary or goal. Instead of using fancy words, write 3 to 4 short sentences that explain who you are, what kind of job you want, and what you can offer the company.

When writing your summary, think about what the employer is looking for, not just what you want. Your goal is to show why you would be a great person to hire. For example, if you’re a project manager looking for a job in tech, your summary should highlight your experience and skills in that field.

“A dedicated project Manager with over 8 years of experience in the software industry. Committed to increasing (company name)’s returns by 20 percent.”

This summary is more impactful than a generic statement such as “A dedicated project manager looking for fulfilling work in the tech industry.”

Use professional fonts and formats.

Managers have to look at a number of resumes for just one job application. So, the best tip is to use fonts and formats that immediately attract, but at the same time, look professional and neat. Don’t use unusual formats, styles, and fonts, as it may make your resume harder to read, and your chances of getting rejected will increase too. Also, if your resume isn’t formatted well, the ATS may reject it.

• Choose the right format: There are different ways to structure your resume. The most common one is called ‘reverse chronological,’ where you talk about your newest job first and then the older experiences. This format is the most popular as it helps arrange your most recent experiences first. Other formats like ‘functional’ and ‘combination’ are less popular, as ATS also finds trouble scanning through them.
• Pick clear fonts: The fonts you use on your resume might not seem very important, but they really are. If you use a font that has unnecessary flair or is hard to read, the person hiring might skip reading your resume. So, make sure you go for fonts like Arial, Calibri, Verdana, or Helvetica that look professional and are easy to read. Another tip is to choose a font size between 10-12 points to ensure comfort while reading.
• Keep simple subheadings: A well-made resume also needs clear and consistent section titles. Use proper subheadings like ‘education,’ ‘skills,’ and profile summary, so that the recruiter can skim through the important information.
• Set the Right Margins: Pay attention to the empty space around your resume. If it looks too crowded, it might seem unprofessional and messy. To keep it tidy, stretch the top and bottom margins to 0.5″ and the side margins to up to 0.75″.

A key tip for making a good resume is to keep it professional and use creativity only where required. But it should look consistent throughout.

Balance Creativity and ATS-friendly elements.

The most important thing you want that your resume to reach the employers, and it is possible if the resume you have made is compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Before uploading your resume to job sites or online portals, check if it has ATS-friendly design elements.

These include underlining in hyperlinks or headings, italic and bold texts, bulleted lists, colors, easily readable columns, and text alignments.

However, choosing a design that ATS likes doesn’t mean you can’t make any changes to it. You can add charts, infographics, videos, or presentations to make your resume better than others. Just make sure that your creativity doesn’t stop your resume from getting processed by the ATS.

Certain elements are known to cause issues with ATS, so it’s best you avoid them when creating your resume. Text boxes, tables, icons and logos, images, headers and footers, graphs, lesser-known fonts, and columns that are only readable from top to bottom are elements you must not use at all.

Conclusion

Your resume is not just a document with a list of your skills, experience, and achievements, but a mirror of who you are. So, be careful in drafting it. A resume can make or break your chances of attracting an employer and getting your dream job. Make sure your resume follows everything that has been mentioned in this blog. Lastly, keep refreshing and checking your resume from time to time so that it doesn’t have any stale information or links that are not working. Writing a good resume can be tricky, but if you do it right it will become a resume which gets Interviews.

Since 2010, SynergisticIT has helped 1000’s of job seekers thrive in the tech industry. At SynergisticIT, we make candidates work on technologies and skills our clients demand.

Our unique approach goes beyond training, offering hands-on project experience. We also have a marketing team to promote your skills, so you don’t have to. Check out our candidate outcomes page to see the success stories.

We also participate in industry events like Oracle Java One and the Gartner Data and Analytics Summit, offering excellent opportunities for brand recognition during your job search. Be sure to watch our event videos for more insights.

Oracle CloudWorld Event from 18th to 21st Oct 2023 _ SynergisticIT (wistia.com)

 

Furthermore, we have a vast network of clients with whom we can introduce your resume. Since we have been in business since 2010, our brand name association increases your chances of being considered by potential employers. Please visit our Transform Your Future with SynergisticIT | Candidate Outcomes page to learn how we have helped Tech job seekers and how we can jumpstart your tech career!