Building your resume correctly is critical when applying for a job in general, and in tech companies and startups in particular. The significance of submitting a unique, high-quality CV is related to the matter of supply and demand.

The tech industry is thriving, while Israel is considered a Startup Nation. Many people want to join the industry, whether it is young people before or after academic studies and without experience, or people with experience in various fields who want a career change.

Therefore, when jobs in tech companies and startups become available, recruiting teams get hundreds of resume files. CVs are submitted on various platforms (from company website to social media) and are getting stacked on the recruiters’ desks (or in their emails). In fact, this subject is so important that it has become an integral part of certification courses and tech studies that provide help in building a well-written resume.

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‍10 Tips to Improve Your CV for Your Tech Dream Job

1. Opening paragraph: at the top of the resume page, you should write a profile and provide a summary about you, while highlighting the most important points from the entire file. The profile should contain two or three lines written in a coherent, witty, accurate and eye-catching manner that will make the reader want to keep on reading. Search for a few LinkedIn profiles of people engaged in the field and check what they have written about themselves in the profile – this will give you a clue and some options how to phrase your profile.
2. LinkedIn: the most important social network when it comes to professional relationships and job search. Make sure you have an active LinkedIn profile, and provide a link to it in your resume. In open positions, you can look for keywords relevant to your field (for example, marketing, SEO, PPC) and use them several times in your resume. This will help recruiters find you and make them see that you have knowledge in the field and know to which workplaces you are submitting your candidacy.
3. Links: in addition to the link to your LinkedIn profile, it is recommended to add links to projects in which you have taken part in the past. This is another way to show your work experience prominently. If you have a website, portfolio or projects online – provide an easy access to them in your CV. This section is also relevant for inexperienced candidates who apply for junior positions: it is possible to make a portfolio with unpaid projects, in order to gain experience.
4. Software: the daily routine in the tech industry requires working with various software and platforms. You may already know the software relevant to a specific job (for example, WordPress is a necessary software for content teams), or maybe you are familiar with task management software that can be used in any field (such as Monday). You may also have additional knowledge of software that is not related to the position for which you are applying, but can show that you are tech-oriented and have strong autodidactic skills, which may definitely help you get hired. Mention this software in your resume. For example, HubSpot, SAP, Google Analytics.
5. Relevance: pay attention which positions are relevant to the job you are looking for, and which are less relevant. Sometimes, candidates have experience in other areas but it is irrelevant, therefore, it does a disservice mentioning such experience in the resume, making it less accurate and to the point. Make sure to indicate the aspects of the job that coincide with the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Besides demonstrating that you are suitable for the job, it will also show the recruiters that you are focused and understand exactly where you are headed.
6. Data: if in your previous jobs you achieved results that can be translated into data, find a way to incorporate this data into the description of your professional experience. For example: as part of the job, I led towards market budget savings of 20% by expanding the organic marketing operations in the department. Another example: as part of the job, I increased the site’s organic traffic by 50%. Such data allows to highlight your significance and contribution clearly.
7. Versions: sometimes, candidates submit their resume to apply for several possible jobs. This is perfectly fine, however, it should be noted that you cannot submit the same file for every position. The wording of the resume should be changed according to the job for which you are applying. This matter also includes keywords from LinkedIn, relevant highlighting of your past experience and info that appears in the profile.
8. Professional translation: tech companies and startups have their own jargon. When translating your resume into English, you need to show that you understand the tech mindset. Even if you are fluent in English, let a professional translator do the work. This will allow you to avoid small mistakes that will hurt your chances to be accepted. Do not let grammar and spelling fail your chances for a successful career.
9. Feedback: when you finish writing your resume, and before applying – send the file to three or four people you trust, who are either engaged in the field for which you are applying or have a certain level of understanding in the tech world. Get constructive criticism from them and improve your resume accordingly.
10. Cover letter: it is a separate document in which you write about yourself the same information you mention in the resume, but in a more fluid and narrative way. A well-written cover letter will make recruiters want to read your resume and will make them remember you from the pile of documents and abundance of candidates.

Writing a resume can be challenging, but it is important to keep in mind that this is not all. You need to make sure your resume is more accurate than that of other candidates. Improve the content of your resume in a way that will increase your chances of landing a job in tech companies and startups.