5 Tips for High-Tech Resumes
1. Use the right buzzwords.
Many technical companies use automated systems to search for candidates based on keywords and phrases. If your resume doesn't include the right buzzwords, it may never be seen or read! Avoid vague terms like "out-of-the-box" and "innovative". Instead, use specific industry terms that employers are searching for, like "enterprise", and "mobile apps". To find these, look through job postings or use online tools like the NoNovice.com Buzzwords or Keyword Analyzer.
2. Be specific.
If you have skills and experiences in a niche aspect of your industry, include them. If you are trained in specialized equipment or software, include the model numbers or versions. Many employers specifically look for people who know "Agilent E4440" or "CORE Version 6". The more specific you are, the more likely your resume will stand out among the others.
3. Keep it honest.
Don't exaggerate your credentials. Hiring managers encounter many resumes that are nothing but fluff and filler, so a resume that is clear and concise will actually stand out. Moreover, when you are called in for an interview, you won't have to explain that "expertise in social media web interfaces" actually means you once set up a Twitter account.
4. Demonstrate real problem-solving skills.
Prove that you're not only book smart, but also know how to apply theory to real-world problems. Most employers won't care that you know linear algebra or that you had a lab course in circuit design. So has everyone else who's applying for the job. Describe how you designed an electronic altimeter for your radio-controlled airplane. Then you'll really capture their interest!
5. Eschew obfuscation and espouse elucidation.
Huh? Now you know how the hiring managers feel. Sophisticated words may work well for an academic journal, but they make a resume exhausting to read. Not all hiring managers will have a dictionary handy, so your resume may end up in the rejection pile before they ever finishing reading. Unless you're applying to Merriam-Webster, keep things clear and easy to understand.
Many technical companies use automated systems to search for candidates based on keywords and phrases. If your resume doesn't include the right buzzwords, it may never be seen or read! Avoid vague terms like "out-of-the-box" and "innovative". Instead, use specific industry terms that employers are searching for, like "enterprise", and "mobile apps". To find these, look through job postings or use online tools like the NoNovice.com Buzzwords or Keyword Analyzer.
2. Be specific.
If you have skills and experiences in a niche aspect of your industry, include them. If you are trained in specialized equipment or software, include the model numbers or versions. Many employers specifically look for people who know "Agilent E4440" or "CORE Version 6". The more specific you are, the more likely your resume will stand out among the others.
3. Keep it honest.
Don't exaggerate your credentials. Hiring managers encounter many resumes that are nothing but fluff and filler, so a resume that is clear and concise will actually stand out. Moreover, when you are called in for an interview, you won't have to explain that "expertise in social media web interfaces" actually means you once set up a Twitter account.
4. Demonstrate real problem-solving skills.
Prove that you're not only book smart, but also know how to apply theory to real-world problems. Most employers won't care that you know linear algebra or that you had a lab course in circuit design. So has everyone else who's applying for the job. Describe how you designed an electronic altimeter for your radio-controlled airplane. Then you'll really capture their interest!
5. Eschew obfuscation and espouse elucidation.
Huh? Now you know how the hiring managers feel. Sophisticated words may work well for an academic journal, but they make a resume exhausting to read. Not all hiring managers will have a dictionary handy, so your resume may end up in the rejection pile before they ever finishing reading. Unless you're applying to Merriam-Webster, keep things clear and easy to understand.
Source...