Table of Contents
To be successful in getting a dream job, be sure that you will differentiate yourself and get the attention of the hiring manager. The job market is extremely competitive and being well-prepared is key! The first step is to prepare an outstanding IT CV.
As an HR manager with over 10 years of experience, I’ve read thousands of curriculums for professionals looking for a job in Information Technology. Here’s what I actually look for.
Tips on Creating The Best IT CV
1. Make Sure that Your IT CV Looks Professional and Is Easy to Read
A good CV must be well written, properly formatted, read logically and error-free. This document is your first introduction to the company so it needs to count.
Write it in a simple and brief manner. Use bullet points and appropriate spacing, line up your list neatly and use a professional-looking font.
Use active verbs and active voice when you describe what you achieved in your previous job. It will make a strong positive impression on the reader. For example:
- Change was responsible for to led or managed
- Instead of was part of development, prefer developed or helped create
Always ensure your IT CV is up to date and relevant to the position you are applying for! Don’t exaggerate or lie because sooner or later will be discovered and may have bad results.
Write your CV in a simple and brief manner.
2. Prepare a Resume Summary
Put a resume summary on the top of the document. It is a short introduction about you letting me understand your past tech achievements, computer skills, and professional background.
Writing a Good Resume Summary
- Describe your strong points in just a couple of words
- Mention your current job title and experience
- Add info about your key achievements
- Limit it to 2-3 sentences and add numbers when it’s possible
Example:
Java Developer with 4+ years of experience in a global technology firm focused on the finance sector. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer. Seeking to leverage solid technical skills and abilities to advance my career as Java Developer for Kambu.
3. Buff up Your Recent Experience and Achievements
The first thing I will look for is your current role. It paints a picture of who you are as an employee.
Are you trying to change your career or simply need a more challenging job? Your role description shows me your accomplishments and capabilities.
It will be an asset if you work for a long time in the same company. It shows me your loyalty and determination.
Pro Tip: Take some time to think about your past jobs. Which areas relate best to having strong IT skills and know-how. Pick those for your IT CV and put them chronologically, starting from the most recent.
The first thing I will look for is your current role.
4. List Only The Relevant Technical Skills
Technical skills on your CV for Information Technology are important, but only the right ones. Be honest, selective, and specific when choosing which skills to highlight.
Don’t list general skills especially if you are applying for a tech role.
For example, avoid saying you have “computer skills” and instead include programming languages, hardware, software, apps, and other skills you possess that qualify you for this concrete job.
To make your resume unique, don’t just list these skills but also show how proficient you are with each.
Technical Skills Listing Examples
- Agile development (Scrum)
- 4 years of experience with Database administration
- UI/UX with focus on accessibility
- 7 years of front-end / back-end Development
- Cloud Management (AWS, Azure)
Be honest, selective, and specific when choosing which skills to highlight.
5. Explain Your Soft Skills With Examples
Prepare a list of soft skills and think about how you will present them in your IT CV. Simply listing really isn’t very meaningful. It isn’t likely to impress for sure.
You need to show how you use these skills rather than just tell.
Choose a concrete skill and show how you have used it successfully. Specific examples are much more credible than a dry list in your resume.
Soft Skills Listing Example
Once helped the team debug a critical system failure while coordinating the communication with the client and an international team. It took an attentive eye and prevented a major crisis, boosting the team’s spirits.
Specific examples are much more credible than a dry list in your resume.
6. Add An Extra Resume Section
Everybody lists their name, experience, and skills. So an extra section makes the IT CV more unique. This is where you’ll list relevant things that you’re proud of to really stand out.
Certifications and awards are especially relevant in IT. Professional certifications are proof you have the IT knowledge and skills to do the job right. They also show your motivation and desire to develop.
You can put here also some information about:
Extra IT CV Section Examples
- Certifications: “ITIL® Foundation, CompTIA Security+”
- Volunteer experience: “Three years assisting in homless shelters”
- Hobbies and interests: “Playing the guitar and reviewing series”
- Portfolio: “Four projects on GitHub”
In this part, you will show me what distinguishes you from other candidates. This way I can get to know you better.
List relevant things that you’re proud of to really stand out.
Quick Recap and Tips For Your IT CV
- Personalize, personalize, and one more time personalize.
- Paint the best picture of yourself
- Before sending your CV spend a few more minutes making sure that there are no mistakes.
Whether you are a career IT specialist or you pursuing an IT internship, if you follow this small guide, you should have a great CV that’s sure to get you an interview in Kambu or another tech company.
