How to Write a Technical Resume

How to Write a Technical Resume

Today's graduates entering the tech industry face the same challenges as their peers entering other fields. The "no-experience" barrier is a significant obstacle for recent graduates to overcome when writing their first IT CV. Even though they may have studied technology in school, recent graduates in the field may lack practical experience. Even if you work in the IT industry either part- or full-time or participate in an internship while in college, you may still graduate with zero practical experience in your field.

It can be difficult to write a resume that highlights your skills and accomplishments without "real" experience in the sector you're targeting. When outlining your IT resume, keep in mind the information that hiring managers will be looking for. Hiring managers in the technical sector place a premium on a candidate's education, certifications, and work experience.

After realizing she was in over her head without a technical internship under her belt before graduating, Lisa Lowe sought professional help with her résumé. In addition, she understood that the knowledge she had obtained in college was lagging behind the rapid demand of today's business and that she would need to acquire further training in some of the more cutting-edge technology. These learning objectives were highlighted in both the summary and the cover letter.

Lisa's IT resume is considerably more "user-friendly" to hiring managers now that she has included a skills category in the top half of the first page. Lisa knew, with some certainty, that she didn't want to begin her professional life as a programmer, but she was intrigued by the prospect of working with database technology. Her strengths in this area were highlighted first, and her stated preference for working with databases was included in the Summary section. She was able to downplay her lack of experience with newer programming languages like Visual Basic and C by directing her career in this direction.

Many resume guides recommend including relevant coursework in the major to show potential employers what the applicant has accomplished academically. Although this may provide some insight into your academic background, it will do little to make you or your IT resume stand out to the hiring manager. It does not demonstrate that you have internalized and implemented the knowledge gained through formal education. Your IT resume might stand out more from the crowd if you included a project synopsis detailing how you put your talents to use. Among Lisa's qualifications, the project synopsis can be found in the education section, halfway down the first page. This section provides some "meat" to the resume.

When writing a resume as a recent college graduate, the employment history section is sometimes the most challenging because of the lack of relevant work experience. Focus on what is actually happening in the moment rather than worrying about what is missing. Employers are always on the lookout for fresh talent, so you should do the same. More and more businesses are seeking multitalented workers that can communicate effectively, collaborate well with others, and contribute to a healthy work environment. Highlight your ability to operate in a team, your ability to communicate effectively, and your desire to work hard.

"We look for skills but also someone who can get along in the work environment," says Jeremy Hopwood, CEO of Tsaba Networks (www.tsaba.com) in Franklin, Tennessee. To paraphrase, "If you have the right attitude to work with our team, we will provide you with the specialized training we need."

Throughout her time at the university, Lisa worked in a customer service role, supporting the technical retail sales of software and gear. This experience proved that she was capable of assisting those who were either technically challenged or in a combative mood. She was a natural communicator, a skilled negotiator, and an astute student of business. Her prior job experience in IT illustrates her ability to perform well under pressure, communicate effectively with others, and be open to being trained according to the company's specific requirements.

Make sure to highlight any relevant internships or cooperative education experiences on your IT resume. Provide specifics on the scope of the project, the expertise you used, and how your role fits into the bigger picture of the company's operations. The successes and major contributions should be highlighted. The resume's content should be written in a descriptive manner to adequately highlight the applicant's experience and qualifications.

Robert Higgins, a civil engineer at Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, and Cannon in Nashville, TN, says that his internships and cooperatives were his greatest selling points, followed by his schooling. While attending college full-time, I worked as an engineering technician, which ultimately led to a permanent position upon graduation. It was a great learning experience.

A high-tech graduate's resume should also highlight their GPA (if more than 3.5), professional affiliations, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community service. Such details provide a complete picture of the IT professional the organization would be hiring.

Writing a resume that can get you an interview in IT can be difficult. Investing in professional means of promoting your college degree may be worthwhile. Every day, we create IT resumes for some of the most dynamic companies in the IT sector. If you're ready to take the next step in your high-tech career, give us a call.

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