Software developers are in high demand, but with so many qualified candidates vying for the same jobs, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd.
One of the best ways to increase your chances of getting an interview is to have a well-written resume that highlights your skills and experience in a way that is both relevant to the job you are applying for and easy for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to parse.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps of writing a software developer resume that gets interviews in 2023-2024. We will cover the following topics:
- Relevant keywords
- Tailoring your resume
- Including a portfolio link
- Keeping it concise
- Quantifying your achievements
1. Relevant Keywords
ATS are software programs that many companies use to scan and filter resumes. When you apply for a job, your resume will likely be run through an ATS before it is seen by a human recruiter or hiring manager.
To increase your chances of getting your resume noticed, it is important to include relevant keywords throughout your resume. These keywords should be the same keywords that are used in the job description you are applying for.
To find relevant keywords, carefully read the job description and identify the skills and experience that are most important to the employer. Then, include these keywords in your resume summary, skills section, and work experience section.
2. Tailor Your Resume
It is important to tailor your resume for each job you apply for. This means taking the time to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to each specific job.
To tailor your resume, start by carefully reading the job description. Identify the skills and experience that the employer is looking for, and then make sure to highlight these skills and experience in your resume.
You can also tailor your resume by using different keywords in your resume summary, skills section, and work experience section.
For example, if you are applying for a job that requires experience with Java, be sure to include the keyword "Java" in your resume summary, skills section, and work experience section.
3. Include a Portfolio Link
A portfolio is essential for any software developer. Your portfolio is a showcase of your work, and it allows potential employers to see your skills and experience in action.
When you are writing your resume, be sure to include a link to your portfolio. You can include the link in your resume summary, skills section, or contact information section.
If you do not have a portfolio yet, there are a few things you can do to create one. You can start by creating a personal website and showcasing some of your own personal projects. You can also find freelance work on websites like Upwork and Fiverr.
4. Keep It Concise
Your resume should be no more than two pages long. Recruiters and hiring managers are busy people, so they do not have time to read through a lengthy resume.
Be concise and only include information that is relevant to the job you are applying for. You can also use bullet points and white space to make your resume easier to read.
5. Quantify Your Achievements
Instead of just listing your duties and responsibilities in your work experience section, try to quantify your achievements. This means using metrics to show the impact of your work.
For example, instead of saying "Developed and maintained a company website," you could say "Developed and maintained a company website that generated over $1 million in revenue in the past year."
Quantifying your achievements shows potential employers that you are a valuable asset and that your work has a positive impact on the bottom line.