A resumé is more than just a piece of document. It’s the most important document you’ll ever submit in your software developer job search.
Your resumé is your “frontline fighter” in this cutthroat industry.
Your first opportunity is to present yourself and get employers’ attention. Hiring managers’ first impression of you relies on it. Experts say it takes five to 15 seconds for someone to form a first impression, and if you made a not-so-favorable first impression, it takes a long time to change it.
Sadly, you can never change a hiring manager’s first impression of you once they chucked your resumé after looking at it for six seconds.
You can’t send a subpar “frontline fighter” and expect to win HRs and hiring managers over.
So, why should you only submit an almost-perfect resumé?
A well-written resumé can be your weapon to compete in this very cutthroat industry. Your very own customizable key to unlocking endless career opportunities.
1. Keep it out of the trash
Being the most qualified applicant for the developer position won’t amount to anything if you fail the initial screening because you can’t market your skills, background, and experiences effectively.
Big tech companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen applications. Data shows that ¾ of qualified applicants are rejected because the software couldn’t read their resumés.
And as mentioned before, hiring managers and recruiters look at your resumé for only six seconds before they decide to trash it or read through it.
2. It gets you an interview
Congratulations if they choose to read through your resumé. Keep in mind that most recruiters make up their minds within the first minute they read through it. They could like what they first saw but might not like what they read.
On average, IT companies receive about 386 resumés for every job opening. And only about 2% of submitted resumés result in an interview.
Only a select few developers make it to interviews. Filtered candidates get a chance to market themselves and show what they got. A well-written resumé ensures your entry into the top 2%.
3. Better Salary Offer
According to Zippia research, professionally written resumés aren’t only suitable for getting your foot in the door and landing an interview. They can also increase your earning potential by 7%.
Who doesn’t want higher pay, right?
Start by acing that resumé to get that skill-based compensation you deserve.
Therefore, what?
Now that you know how crucial and decisive your resumés are, what should you do now? Evaluate your resumé, and give it a makeover if you feel it needs one. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Keep it straightforward. Use clear legible fonts and a logical layout. Make sure it’s the correct file type. Use keywords mentioned in the job description to avoid getting rejected by the ATS.
- Write an overview at the top (like a summary or objective section) with a statement focused on what you’ll bring to the table. Include a half-page cover letter or less.
- If you’re an entry-level applicant, try to keep it concise and customized in a single-page resumé, but a two-page resumé might work better for you if you’re a seasoned professional.
You can check out our article 8 Resume Mistakes Developers Should Avoid/Fix to learn more about how you could write better resumés.
You know you’re a skilled developer, but your prospective employer doesn’t. So, create a clear and outstanding resumé to let them know.
We know how vital a developer’s resumé is; that’s why we include them in Village 88 Training and spend ample time on our Resumé Workshop.
Remember, if pictures paint a thousand words and convey unspoken stories, so does your resumé. It details who you are and what you can bring to the table.
