A good developer resume describes your successes in code for readers who may or may not need help understanding the work and technical skills that went into those achievements. Writing a resume that expresses your ability to a broad audience means focusing on essential skills, experiences, and notable contributions. Here's what to focus on in your resume:
Focus on Relevant Skills and Experience
Your skills and experiences are not just a list but a testament to your capabilities. List them concisely to show a specific employer that your work will be impactful and get the job done. Mirror the word choice from the job description in your resume. Keep your skills list active, skimmable, and tailored to the job you're applying for.
Use action verbs to describe responsibilities and achievements. Choose action verbs to make your responsibilities and achievements stand out and proactively show your work. Examples include 'developed,' 'implemented,' 'designed,' etc.,
Showcase the results your projects achieved
Describe specific projects you've worked on and their results to provide concrete evidence of your skills and capabilities.
Include certifications, side projects, open-source contributions, and other types of training
Your open-source contributions are not just lines of code. They are valuable additions to the developer community. List side projects you've completed and any open-source packages or codebases you've contributed to. Any relevant certifications or training courses you've completed can add more value to your resume and show your commitment to learning and development.
Exhibit problem-solving abilities
Employers value developers who can think critically and solve problems. Emphasize examples where you have demonstrated these skills in your previous roles or projects. When you mention these in your resume, you can refer to these examples as stories during an interview or in your cover letter. Include these in your cover letter (link to cover letter article) if there's no obvious place for this on your resume.
Highlight teamwork and collaboration in previous roles
Software development often involves working in teams. Include instances where you've effectively collaborated with others to achieve a common goal. Expand on this in your cover letter.
Incorporate any accolades or recognitions received for your work
It can help you stand out from other candidates. Don't skip this!
Intentional writing matters
A simple, straightforward writing style will express the intentional choices you must make to express your work and its results. It can be difficult- and may not even be appropriate- to make all your achievements and personality shine in resume format. Remember that what doesn't fit here may apply to your cover letter. Edit your resume to emphasize the following:
Clear and concise language with no grammatical errors. This shows your attention to detail and ability to communicate effectively. Remember, your resume is your first impression, so it must be error-free.
Skills reduced to specific languages or tools. Rather than just stating 'proficient in coding,' break it down into particular languages or tools you've worked with, such as Laravel, Livewire, or Tailwind.
Blank Space. Omit things on your resume that are old or irrelevant. Empty space, or the areas on your resume that are not filled with text, is the most valuable real estate on your resume. If you worked at the campus library during your time at college or had a part-time job early on in your career, don't include it unless it helps you tell an important part of your story.
Remember—the resume and cover letter tell your story—a story designed to be compelling to potential employers. It's not a fictional story, but it's also not an exhaustive documentary of everything you've done. Highlight your strengths and do your best to communicate effectively.