For IT professionals in the technology industry, it is important that your CV effectively highlights your technical skills, experiences, and problem-solving abilities. Your CV will also need to be optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – automated software used by larger companies that looks for specific keywords and shortlist CVs that match.
In this article we’ll be sharing our tips and best practices to help you craft a winning CV to help you land your next jobs in the technology industry.
How to Write a Technology CV
To create a comprehensive CV, include the following sections:
Personal Information
Always check to ensure your contact details are up to date before sending your CV anywhere!
Your name and surname, phone number (with prefix), email address and home address are the main details needed in this section. We would also recommend including a link to your LinkedIn profile, and GitHub (optional).
Personal Statement
It’s essential to make your statement impactful and easy to digest. Read through the job description and identify relevant technical skills that you possess and highlight them in your personal statement. You might want to mention your proficiency in programming languages, frameworks, or software development methodologies too!
- Aim for a personal statement that is no more than 2-3 sentences long.
- Summarise your relevant experience, skills, and career goals in a concise and compelling manner.
- Highlight key achievements or unique qualifications that make you stand out.
Skills
In this section you want to list the programming languages, frameworks, databases and technologies that you have experience with.
- Your most relevant skills should be at the top of this list, easy to spot.
- Use industry-standard terminology.
- If you have basic knowledge of a skill, it may be worth stating this so the recruiter is aware of your abilities.
- Avoid listing skills that are irrelevant or skills you are not confident in doing.
Work Experience
Detail your professional experience in reverse chronological order, emphasising your achievements and quantifying results whenever possible. This section should demonstrate your understanding and proficiency in relevant technologies.
- Include job titles, company names, dates of employment, and a brief description of each role.
- Highlight your accomplishments, responsibilities, and the impact you made in previous positions.
- Use bullet points to make it easier for ATS systems to scan and parse your information
Education
Depending on your career stage, prioritise this section accordingly. Fresh graduates may place it near the top, while seasoned professionals can position it beneath their work experience.
- List your educational background, including degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
- Include any academic projects, or research experience.
- Mention any certifications, professional development courses, or relevant training you have completed.
Additional sections
Consider including sections like personal projects, open-source contributions, relevant volunteer work, or professional affiliations. These sections can provide additional insight into your skills, passion, and dedication to the tech industry.
Creating an ATS-friendly CV
In today’s digital age, most job applications undergo initial screening by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). To increase your chances of getting past the ATS and reaching human recruiters:
- Incorporate keywords from the job description throughout your CV.
- Submit your CV in PDF format, ensuring compatibility across different systems. A Word document is also a suitable alternative.
Download our free CV template for IT professionals
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While crafting an exceptional CV is crucial, partnering with a recruitment agency, like Jonathan Rhys Recruitment, can significantly enhance your job search as an IT professional.
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