Top Tips for Writing a Technical Resume

By Dan Jones, IT Resources

1. Focus on Accomplishments

Anyone can list their responsibilities. In all positions, not just technical, employers like to see what you’ve accomplished. Don’t be afraid to get technical. By briefly describing the results of your achievements, employers get a better understanding of what you bring to the table. However, a word of caution: don’t try too hard. Attempting to make yourself look successful by using complicated statistics or vocabulary can easily backfire.

2. Quantify the Accomplishments

Quantifying accomplishments helps you prove your worth. It gives employers a better view of what type of effect you had on a company. If you’re able to provide data from your work, make sure to include it in your resume. Percentages and numbers provide a hiring manager with more detail on what you’ve accomplished throughout your career.

Bad: Developed applications that decreased costs
Good: Developed application that annually reduced costs by 10%

3. Provide Context to Your Technical Skills

If you’re a professional in the tech field, your resume should include a list of your technical skills. These include the programming languages, computer programs, databases, coding and software tools you know and can work with. When you’re listing these technical skills, provide brief detail on how you used each tool, along with your skill level for each such as expert, intermediate and learning level.

4. Target Your Resume

Use keywords to target the specific position and company you apply to. If you resubmit the same resume for various applications, you put your chances of getting the job at risk. Look at the job posting and pick out keywords that describe the role. Then, insert similar words into your resume. You may end up a having a resume folder with 20 different files, but it’s worth it if hiring managers determine you’re a good fit for their position. Also, if you have a lengthy list of past jobs, include ones specific to what you’re applying for. Employers only spend a few moments looking over resumes. Avoid your resume being overlooked by including keywords and key roles to help you stand out amongst other applicants.