How to write a killer Software Engineering résumé - Deepstash
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The application/ résumé

A typical process when applying for a job/internship is to apply to a couple of companies, get rejections or no replies, and repeat the process over and over again.

The problem of not getting interviews can be approached by improving your application/ résumé as every company uses a résumé as a basis for evaluation. Therefore, focusing on the principles of writing a résumé can help you land your dream job.

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The essentials of a résumé

A résumé has to pass numerous stages before it gets in front of a hiring manager: It has to bypass online keyword filters, stand out to a recruiter, and meet a hiring manager's expectations.

  • One-page résumé. On average, recruiters will view your application for less than 6 seconds. Keep it short and to the point.
  • Sections (Header, Education, Employment, Software, Personal Projects, Skills). Put the sections in order of importance from top to bottom.
  • Consistent layout + font per section. A consistent style enhances readability.

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“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

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Who Are You (1)

Who Are You (1)

Put your name at the top of your résumé in a large legible font. Keep it plain and simple. You want the recruiter to see this easily from a mile away. 

A happy recruiter is one who has minimum work to do. Making it easy for them is more likely to give you an interview.

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Contact Information (2)

Your contact information should be very easy to find, like your name.

Ensure you put the correct contact information or you will be uncontactable.

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Education (3)

  • In the first section, put down where you got educated. This information not only serves as an indicator of your successes but informs the recruiter that you are invested in learning and education. 
  • Include only relevant coursework to the position you are applying for.
  • The primary purpose of a résumé is to highlight your knowledge, skills and accomplishments. Include things that will impress as you want to show yourself in the best light possible. 
  • Only include your GPA if it is above 3.2

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Employment (4)

Employment (4)

The primary objective is to show the value and impact you had in your previous employment.

  • Focus on including relevant work experience for the position you're applying for.
  • Create a collection of various résumés tailored to the job you're interested in.
  • Order your experiences in descending order, starting with your most recent experiences. If the experience is outdated, leave it out.
  • Showcase your accomplishments, using the formula, "accomplished [x] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]".
  • End each work experience with leveraged knowledge that include technologies you used.

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Personal Projects (5)

This section is important for those that do not have work experience.

A personal project can be anything programming related, whether a python script, Java program, web page, mobile application, etc. It shows that you are dedicated to expanding your knowledge of computer science and that you are not afraid of putting in the extra work to do so. The other benefit of doing personal projects is that you inevitably gain the skills to work in the real world. 

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Skills (6)

List all the relevant skills you want the recruiter to know you have. The more skills you list that match key technical words in the qualification section of the job description, the better your chances. 

Include an indication of your proficiency level. For example:

  • Proficient - Languages that you are very familiar with, feel very comfortable using, and can interview with right now. 
  • Familiar - Languages that you have used in the past but may not be as knowledgeable in currently, but can pick back up given time. 

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CURATED BY

jennifrobert

Equities trader

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