When reviewing resumes for technical positions, there are certain things recruiters will look for that are different from other kinds of resumes. When composing your resume for a tech position, here are 5 quick and helpful tips to make sure your resume will provide the accurate information and meet their expectations.
1. Technical Summary
A resume for a technical position, such as a Network Administrator, Developer or Engineer, should clearly show the candidates technical skills. A great way to do this is to include a technical summary. Divide it into sub categories such as certifications (MCSA, CCNA, CISSP), hardware, operating systems etc. as needed. Only include the skills you can speak to. You will have between 10-15 seconds to make an impact on a recruiter or hiring manager. Make sure to effectively position your most attention-grabbing skills and achievements.
2. Soft Skills
Long gone are the days when IT staff were tucked away in a remote part of the building and didn’t have to interact much with the rest of the staff. Hiring managers are looking for candidates with the ability to work on teams across different departments, provide customer service, and have people skills beyond the technical skills. Be sure to highlight some of these skills in your resume.
3. Watch Your Words
When describing previous experience, include words such as “Built”, “Configured” or “Deployed” instead of “Responsible for”. Indicate if you were a leader or contributor on a project. Also, don’t get too technical. Explain any industry technical terms that a recruiter might find confusing. Be sure to know who’s going to be reading your resume, and tailor it accordingly. Where applicable, also use measurable achievements in your job description.
4. Education vs Experience
Professional experience and industry recognized certifications matter more than education in the technical field. Including information about your educational background is important, but as you gain more experience, you can shrink the education section on your resume to just include the bare basic information. If you have a variety of certifications, only highlight the ones relevant to the position you are applying for.
5. Don’t Let Your Resume Expire
At least 1-2 times per year, make sure to update your resume with any new projects you’ve worked on, new certifications you have achieved etc. while the information is still fresh on your mind. Also, revisit the formatting to make sure all information is correct, and remove any outdated (10-15 years old) work experience that’s not related to the position you are applying for. Lastly, proof read your resume to make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors.
