There's no such thing as the "perfect" resume, but there is a perfect audience for your resume.
Recently, many of my readers have asked me to review their resumes so I thought I should just write an article on it. In this article, I'd like to share some tips on how to craft a resume for your targeted industry, how to make it from good to great and highlight some common mistakes that should be avoided.
Resumes : A Constant Work-in-Progress
When I was a student, I remembered my professor saying this,
"A resume will always be a work-in-progress. If you keep evolving, you have to keep updating your resume."
Okay vs. Good vs. Wow
😐 Okay resumes
In this level, the resume is well-structured and well-formatted, with no grammar or spelling mistakes. But it is a merely historical snapshot about you.
😊 Good resumes
Good resumes include everything mentioned about okay resumes and more. What makes them better is that good resumes connect the experiences back to the person's skills.
🤩 Wow resumes
A resume at this level highlights skills tailored to what the reader is looking for with quantifiable results.
Format
• Font Size – 10pt to 12pt
• Font – Keep it professional like Arial, Times New Roman
• Length – keep it to 1 full page
• Use bullet points and be concise
• Use active voice
• Perfect spelling and grammar
Content
A developer's resume must include:
• Your Name
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Contact Information
Writing the Main Content
1. List some skills/values
First, list the skills that the company is looking for. Research the company to find out their values.
2. Reflect on your experiences
Think about experiences that showcase your skills and values.
3. Construct concise impactful points
Use the format: Action → Context → Result
Start with action verbs like "built, developed, implemented, integrated".
Common Mistakes
1. Not having a target audience
2. Not using strategically chosen words
3. Too wordy/Not enough words
4. Not including results
Conclusion
Thanks for reading this article. I hope it has helped you write a wow resume for your dream company.
