Information technology resumes are unique from many other resume types. It’s important when applying for IT jobs, to use a resume that is technology focused.

After all, you want to convince the recruiter that you are an expert in tech. Don’t you?

While crafting an IT resume is not difficult, it’s something that many people do wrong. Stand out from your competition with an expert IT resume using our 5 tips below.

1. Show technical aptitude in your summary.

The summary is your first opportunity to impress a hiring manager. If your summary does not clearly state that you are an IT professional, your resume will likely be rejected. Check out this sample summary below.

“Passionate IT professional with over 5 years of experience in a fast-paced SaaS company. Forward thinking python developer with experience developing desktop and mobile applications. Previously selected as a team lead over 15 peers to develop new and innovative machine learning programs. Team player with a passion for all things technology.”

This is a great summary because it clearly states who the applicant is. It expresses the amount of experience they have. It also shows a true passion for technology. Of course, this should be customized to fit your specific experience.

2. Use relevant technical skills/keywords.

Have you heard about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? These are software programs used by hiring companies that quickly analyze resumes for relevant skills and keywords. If your resume does not have the right information technology keywords, you might be missing out on great opportunities.

Depending on your specific skills, your keywords may vary. Here are some common IT keywords that we recommend sprinkling throughout your resume.

IT Keywords: Network Engineering, C++, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Server Management, Java, SQL, SaaS, Fintech, Software Development, Database Management, PHP, Business Analysis, AI/ML, Java, Project Management, Scrum, Testing, and many more.

The important thing to remember is that hard skills are more valuable than soft skills. If you aren’t sure the difference, check out this article.

3. Add your education and technical trainings.

When it comes to writing an IT resume, it’s important to focus on relevant education. In a perfect world, you graduated from your university with a technical degree such as computer science. However, this is not always the case. Maybe you have no formal education. Or maybe you are looking to break into a technical role for the first time.

Add any technical education or training to the education section of your resume. Start with any formal education such as college or high school. Next, add any training you have received. This could be an online course, class that you took, or even a workshop that you attended.

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4. Make sure your resume is the correct length.

It’s important that you keep your IT resume short and sweet. Focus on highlighting your technical experience only. If you worked as a server 20 years ago, this is probably not worth mentioning when applying for technical positions.

Your information technology resume should be between 1-2 pages. A one-page resume is great for anyone looking for entry-level jobs. Once you begin looking for manager and executive level positions, 2-pages is the way to go.

5. Hire a professional resume writer.

There are a handful of resume services out there who specialize in IT resumes. If you’d rather save yourself the hassle and hire a professional, that’s always an option. Hiring a professional resume writer with years of experience writing technical resumes can not only save you time, but also bring better results. Check out some of the best IT resume services.