Make your technical resume stand out
Tags: resume, career
Published: 2022-05-03 13:39:29

## Table of Contents <a name="TOC">
1. [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
2. [Must Do's](#must-dos)
3. [Helpful Links](#helpful-links)

### Common Mistakes
- Instead of "React Developer" put "Front-end Developer"
- Use bullet-points and be concise. Remember recruiters have countless of resumes to go through
- Remove dated phrases

Some examples of dated phrases include, "references available upon request", "duties included", "personal data", "obvious skills", "employer contact information", "selected as", "utilized", "experienced..", "resulted driven", "dependable", "passionate", "exceptional", "team player" and "people person", "self-starter", "dynamic", "flexible", "assisted", and "hard-worker".

Instead you can use phrases such as "coordinated", "developed", "established", "improved", "security information and event management", "negotiated", "generated revenue/profits", "trained/mentored", "linux", "information assurance", "delivered under budget", "volunteered", "outperformed", "initiated", "virtual private", or "simplified". 

[Here are 195 action verbs to make your resume stand out](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/action-verbs-to-make-your-resume-stand-out)


- Worry about the context first and the formatting second


Yes, we want the formatting of the resume to be clean and well-presented. But whether it's a [hybrid resume](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/hybrid-resume), [chronological resume](https://resumegenius.com/blog/resume-help/chronological-resume#:~:text=A%20chronological%20resume%20is%20a,i.e.%20reverse%2Dchronological%20order), or [functional resume](https://zety.com/blog/functional-resume#:~:text=A%20functional%20resume%20is%20a,called%20a%20skills%2Dbased%20resume.) should be taken cared of after getting down what belongs inside the resume.

- Remove old and irrelevant positions

Even when positions have useful background, your skills will have transferred onto future projects and positions. Keeping them on your resume will be taking on essential space for more current information.

- Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Always remember to proofread your resume. Not only once, but each and every time you make tweaks. Try reading it aloud. Print it out and scan it over. Follow a proofreading checklist. Or, ask a friend or family member to review it for you.

![proofread](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7kevuf25enp91v39xhzj.png) 


[Back to TOC](#TOC)

### Must Do's
- Be specific when listing details of your working experience

"Supports Corporate Oracle ERP and OBIEE data warehouse initiatives utilizing both Waterfall and Agile methodologies"

- List your projects to show off your skills
"Built Python chatbot to..."

- Check for keywords

The latest jargon and buzzy words change constantly! 

- Update your skills and the formatting of your resume

Always be updating your resume. Whether it's because you taken a new class, mastered a new program, or started giving presentations regularly, you want your skills section to have everything listed - both technical and soft skills alike. With that being said, with more context, you want to make sure readability is still present. You need to use standard formatting and plenty of white space.

- Update your contact information

- Include certifications

This part of a resume includes your certifications that relate to your job. It can include the name of each certification and the year your received or renewed them.

- Customize your resume

Customize your resume for each company you're applying to. Whether this be changing the skills depending on the responsibilities, changing work experience details to fit the interests of the hiring manger, etc., tweak your resume in a way that would benefit you. 

- Social media links

![social media](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/29ijnrjh7a57b6qa79ns.png) 

Only include your professional social media links. These would be your DEV.to blog where you're posting about technologies, your Twitter if you primarily post about your work, etc. However, if you use your social media pages strictly for personal posts, it's best to leave the links off your resume.


[Back to TOC](#TOC)

### Helpful Links
- [195 Actions Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/action-verbs-to-make-your-resume-stand-out)
- [How to Write a Database Manager Resume](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/database-manager-resume)
- [Action Verbs](https://www.enmu.edu/greyhound-life/career-services/for-students/excel/resume-writing/standout-words)
- [Technical Writing Skills](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/technical-writing-skills)
- [25 Cybersecurity Buzzwords to Use on Your Resume](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/cyber-security-resume-buzzwords)
- [17 Data Analyst Projects for a Resume](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/data-analyst-projects-for-resume)


Happy coding!