What makes a strong CV? A well-crafted CV is crucial for IT professionals to stand out in the job market. Together with our recruiters, we have compiled a CV checklist for IT professionals. This list provides you with guidelines to help you write a complete and professional CV. Using our checklist will align with who you are as a person and with the role you are applying for.
Contact Information
Make sure your personal details are at the top of the CV. This information should include:
– Full name.
– Address (optional).
– Phone number.
– Professional email address.
– LinkedIn profile (optional).
Profile Summary
A professional profile summary is a brief, impactful paragraph at the top of your CV. This is one of the first things a recruiter will read. Therefore, the text should provide an impressive overview of your career and personality. This summary should include the following elements:
– A brief and powerful summary of your professional background and goals.
– Highlight your key skills and experiences.
Work Experience
In this section, describe specific skills and experiences relevant to the position you are applying for. Use keywords from the job posting to ensure your CV passes through ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Structure your work experience chronologically, starting with the most recent position.
For each relevant work experience:
– Job title.
– Company name and location.
– Duration of employment (month/year – month/year).
– Key responsibilities and tasks.
– Major achievements and contributions.
– Use of action verbs (developed, optimized, managed).
Projects
Include a description of projects you have worked on. Describe your tasks in clear and understandable language, keeping jargon use in check.
For each relevant project:
– Project name.
– Brief description (Think of 80-100 words that describe the core).
– Your role and responsibilities.
– Technologies and tools used.
– Key results and impact.
Skills
IT professionals often possess a broad range of technical skills, but soft skills are also important. Divide your skills into two categories:
Technical Skills:
– Programming and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Java, SQL).
– Tools and technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure).
– Software and frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Django).
– Certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Cisco CCNA + date).
Soft Skills: Provide an overview of the soft skills you possess. Some examples of soft skills that can be important for IT professionals are:
– Communication: In IT projects, it is essential that you can convey complex information.
– Problem-solving skills: Describe your ability to analyze and solve technical problems effectively.
– Teamwork: IT is often a team effort, so provide examples of your collaboration skills.
Education, Certifications, and Training
Education and relevant certifications and training are essential for IT professionals. List these in chronological order:
Education:
– Degrees.
– Name of the educational institution.
– Relevant courses or projects (optional).
Certification/Training:
– Name of the certification/training.
– Issuing organization.
– Date of certification or completion.
– Certification content in 2 lines.
Additional Sections (optional)
– Volunteering (relevant to the IT sector).
– Publications or presentations.
– Conferences or workshops.
– Memberships in professional organizations.
– Language skills.
Have Your CV Reviewed
Have you finished drafting your CV for an IT role? Then have your CV reviewed by our recruiter Valerie. You can do this by emailing it to vvanarkel@g-nius.nl.
