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Your CV speaks for you when you’re not in the room. So, it’s important that it accurately represents you and your experience. A well-crafted CV can be the difference between landing an interview and getting lost in the applicant pool.
Here’s how to make yours stand out:
Focus on Relevant Skills and Projects
Tailor your CV to highlight skills and experiences that directly relate to the job you’re applying for. Include projects you’ve worked on, technologies you’re proficient in, and any relevant internships or freelance work.
Include Keywords from Job Descriptions
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes. To increase your chances of passing through ATS filters, tailor your CV by including relevant keywords and phrases from the job description. However, when doing so, ensure that you’re honest and accurate about your experience. Avoid listing skills or qualifications you haven’t acquired—focus on emphasising your genuine strengths while aligning them with the role’s requirements.
Use Action Verbs and Quantify Achievements
Try to start bullet points with action verbs (e.g., developed, implemented, optimised) to describe your accomplishments. Where possible, quantify results (e.g., “Increased application performance by 30% through optimisation techniques using Apache JMeter”).
Keep it Concise and Organised
Use clear headings (e.g., Education, Experience, Projects, Skills) and a clean, easy-to-read format. While a two-page CV is common, it’s more important to emphasise relevant and impactful content than to stick rigidly to a specific length. For junior developers, a CV is typically shorter due to less experience, but as your career progresses and you gain more achievements, your CV will naturally extend beyond two pages.
Proofread and Get Feedback
Typos and grammatical errors can create an immediate negative impression. Proofread carefully and ask someone you trust, who has strong attention to detail, to review your CV – it’s always good to have a fresh set of eyes read such an important document.
More about Rachel…
Rachel McGuckian is an Associate in the Technology division of Barden’s talent advisory and recruitment firm where she works with clients and professionals in the fields of software development, QA & DevOps. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn or contact her at rachel.mcguckian@barden.ie