How to Write the Perfect CV for Tech Roles
Learn how to write a good resume to stand out from thousands of applicants when applying for tech related jobs.
If you’re looking to land a job in the tech industry, having a well-crafted CV is crucial. Tech companies often receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for open roles, so your CV needs to stand out and clearly convey your technical skills and experience.
Citadel received more than 69,000 applications for their 2023 internship program, per Bloomberg.
In this post, we’ll go over some tips for creating an effective CV that will help you get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers in the tech world.
Start with a Clear Summary (optional)
At the top of your CV, include a concise summary that highlights your technical expertise, years of experience, and key accomplishments. This section should be no more than 2–3 lines and should quickly give the reader an overview of your background and what you bring to the table. For example:
“Results-driven software engineer with 5+ years of experience in developing scalable web applications using Java, Python, and React. Proven track record of delivering high-quality code and leading cross-functional teams.”
Showcase Your Experience
The bulk of your CV should be dedicated to your work experience. For each role you’ve held, include the company name, your job title, and the dates of employment. Then, use 2–4 bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and accomplishments in that position. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, as this helps demonstrate the impact you made. For example:
“Developed and maintained a high-traffic e-commerce website using React, Node.js, and MongoDB, resulting in a 25% increase in website performance and a 15% boost in online sales.”
Include Your Education (at the top if you’re a student or recent graduate)
List out any degrees you’ve obtained, along with the institution, graduation year, and any relevant coursework or academic projects. Include your grades if they’re good but leave them out if they aren’t.
Highlight Your Projects
In addition to your work experience, tech companies often want to see examples of personal projects you’ve worked on. Create a “Projects” section where you can showcase any relevant side projects, open-source contributions, or coding challenges you’ve completed. Describe the project, the technologies you used, and any notable outcomes or learnings.
List Your Technical Skills
Tech companies want to see that you have the necessary technical skills for the role you’re applying for. Create a “Technical Skills” section where you list out all of your relevant programming languages, frameworks, tools, and technologies. Consider breaking this section down into categories like “Programming Languages,” “Databases,” “Cloud Platforms,” etc. Be sure to highlight the skills that are most applicable to the specific job you’re applying for.
Things Not to Include:
Photo of yourself
Unnecessary personal information: Age, Ethnicity, Gender, etc.
Address (country should be included if you require visa sponsorship)
Keep It Clean and Organized
Finally, make sure your CV is clean, organized, and easy to read. Use clear section headings, consistent formatting, and plenty of white space. Tech companies appreciate attention to detail, so a well-structured CV can go a long way.
Resources
To end the post, here are some useful links to help you get started:
Jake’s Resume Template: here
Stanford’s Resume Guidance: here
Salaries from Different Companies on CompClarity: here