Key Takeaways
- Include links to your profiles on platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, or HackerRank in your resumé to showcase your coding abilities and experience. Tailor your resumé to each job you apply for, using specific terminology from the job description.
- Highlight your impact on past projects using concrete examples and metrics, and avoid typos to maintain professionalism. Keep your resumé simple and clean, avoiding heavy graphics and multiple columns, and use web-oriented language to enrich your descriptions.
- Use modern fonts for a fresh look, write in a natural, engaging style, and avoid self-rating your skills. Instead, use the experience section of your resumé to describe what you achieved with each skill.
There’s no shortage of remote web development jobs, especially at a time when so many companies have made the shift to remote working. But without a strong resumé, your chances of landing a developer job interview are reduced, or worse, non-existent.
In this article, we cover ten simple tweaks you can make to your resumé in order to improve your chances of being invited to an interview.
1. Resumé Links
Add links in your resumé to your profile on platforms such as GitHub, Stack Overflow, or HackerRank, that prove your coding abilities and experience. Let your public code tell the recruiter/potential employer all about you.
2. Tailoring Your Resumé
Tailor your resumé to each specific job you’re applying for. You don’t have to completely redo the resumé each time, but investing a few minutes each time to add specific terminology used in the job description can boost your chances of getting called for an interview. For instance, Google, Facebook and Netflix have their own criteria, with a focus in the terminology on code optimization, security, or high-availability.
3. Detail Your Skills
Provide detailed descriptions of the key tech skills required by the company. For example:
- MySQL (stored procedures, caching, logging, replication)
- CSS (sprites, styled-components, scroll snapping, text animations)
The point here is to highlight both the depth and breadth of your knowledge, and hence your ability to fulfill their needs.
4. Detail Your Impact
Don’t just describe your responsibilities. Instead, list the concrete ways in which you had an impact on every project. Employers look for people who can deliver results, and they want to see examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Focus on the impact itself. The “what” is so much more impactful than the “how” (although both are important). Back up your statements with numbers and metrics wherever possible.
For example:
Increased test coverage to 60% with RSpec.
Improved monitoring, failure recovery, and observability of all systems by migrating code to a Kubernetes cluster.
Your ability to deliver results is what can persuade your potential employer to invite you for an interview.
5. Avoid Typos!
Check your resumé for the incorrect technology spellings. For example:
- HTML, not Html
- JavaScript, not Javascript
- MongoDB, not Mongo DB
- GitHub, not Github
Even small typos make your resumé look unprofessional.
6. Keep It Simple
Ensure that your resumé looks clean and unique. Avoid heavy graphics, QR codes, multiple columns and icons, so that any applicant-tracking system can accurately scan your resumé. A 100% free tool for drafting excellent resumés is FlowCV.io.
7. Use Web-oriented Language
Enrich your descriptions with web-oriented language, such as “fully responsive”, “large-scale”, “cross-browser”, “high-load”, “scalable”, “highly-available”, “serverless”, “robust”, “distributed”, “maintainable”, “multi-threaded”, “modular”, “secure”, etc.
For example:
Led the development of a large-scale web application for video sharing and collaboration.
8. Use Clean, Modern Fonts
Forget about old-fashioned fonts. Instead, use modern fonts like Palanquin, Merriweather, Lato, or Poppins. This will give a fresh look and feel to your resumé.
9. Write Like You Speak
Make sure your resumé sounds like a person wrote it, not a machine. Write as you would speak. Make your descriptions engaging to read by adding interesting, work-related facts about yourself. Avoid buzzwords like “dedicated”, “detail-oriented”, “self-starter”, etc.
10. Don’t Self-rate
Don’t self-rate your tech skill levels, especially using percentages or stars (★★★★★). Instead, use the experience section of your resumé to describe what you achieved with the skill. Your potential employer will most likely objectively evaluate your skills during a technical interview or a coding test.
Conclusion
That’s it! Follow these tips and you’ll likely see an increase in the number of interview invitations after applying for jobs!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Web Developer Resumes
What are the key skills to highlight in a web developer resume?
The key skills to highlight in a web developer resume include both technical and soft skills. Technical skills include proficiency in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, as well as experience with web frameworks like Django or Ruby on Rails. Knowledge of database management, UI/UX design, and responsive design are also important. Soft skills include problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail. Remember to provide examples of how you’ve used these skills in past projects or roles.
How should I format my web developer resume?
Your resume should be clear, concise, and easy to read. Use bullet points to list your skills and experiences, and keep the design simple and professional. Start with a summary or objective statement, followed by your work experience, education, skills, and any relevant certifications or awards. Make sure to include keywords from the job description to increase your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems.
What should I include in the work experience section of my web developer resume?
In the work experience section, list your previous roles in reverse chronological order. For each role, include the job title, company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements where possible. For example, you might say “Developed a responsive website that increased mobile traffic by 50%.”
How can I make my web developer resume stand out?
To make your resume stand out, highlight your most impressive achievements and unique skills. Include a portfolio link if you have one, and consider adding a section for relevant projects or certifications. Tailor your resume to each job application, making sure to include keywords from the job description. A well-written cover letter can also help to grab the attention of hiring managers.
Should I include a summary or objective statement in my web developer resume?
A summary or objective statement can be a great way to quickly communicate your skills and career goals. A summary is typically used by experienced professionals to highlight their key achievements and skills, while an objective statement is often used by entry-level candidates or career changers to explain their career goals and why they would be a good fit for the role.
How can I demonstrate my programming skills in my web developer resume?
You can demonstrate your programming skills by listing the programming languages and technologies you are proficient in, and by providing examples of projects or tasks where you have used these skills. If you have a portfolio or GitHub account, include a link so hiring managers can see examples of your work.
What certifications should I include in my web developer resume?
Any certifications that are relevant to the job you’re applying for should be included in your resume. This could include certifications in specific programming languages, web development frameworks, or other related areas. Be sure to include the name of the certification, the organization that issued it, and the date you received it.
How should I handle gaps in my employment history on my web developer resume?
If you have gaps in your employment history, be honest and upfront about them. You can explain the reason for the gap in your cover letter or during the interview. If the gap was due to something like further education or a personal project, you can include this in your resume.
Should I include references in my web developer resume?
It’s generally not necessary to include references in your resume unless the job posting specifically asks for them. Instead, you can say “References available upon request” at the end of your resume.
How long should my web developer resume be?
Your resume should be as concise as possible while still including all relevant information. For most professionals, a one to two-page resume is ideal. However, if you have a lot of relevant experience or skills, it may be necessary to go a bit longer.
Andrew is an HR-Tech entrepreneur with a coding background. Founder of products like Relocate.me, CV Compiler, and GlossaryTech. In his off time, he’s a long-distance swimmer and coffee taster.