title: 'Resumes | Wiki & FAQ'

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Resumes

Your resume is the first impression you give to most employers — make it count.

Why Your Resume Matters

Your resume is more than a list of jobs — it's a marketing document that tells the story of who you are, what you've accomplished, and why you're the right fit for a role. Recruiters often spend less than 10 seconds scanning a resume before deciding if it's worth a deeper look. A polished, relevant, and easy-to-read resume drastically increases your chances of moving forward.

What Makes a Good Resume?

A strong resume is clear, concise, and targeted. It highlights your most relevant experiences and skills for the role you're applying to, with results and measurable impact whenever possible.

Key qualities of a good resume include:

  • Clear structure and formatting
  • Relevant experience and skills tailored to the job
  • Quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Increased site traffic by 40%”)
  • Consistent tense, grammar, and style
  • No spelling or formatting errors

Types of Resumes

There are several formats, but these are the most common:

  • Chronological: Lists work experience in reverse order, starting with the most recent. Best for those with a strong, continuous work history.
  • Functional: Focuses on skills and achievements rather than job history. Works well for career changers or those with employment gaps.
  • Hybrid/Combination: Mixes both approaches, highlighting skills at the top followed by a work history section.

Most applicants should default to a chronological or hybrid format unless a functional style serves a clear purpose.

Tailoring Your Resume

Sending out the same resume for every job will almost always yield lower results. Tailor each resume by:

  • Using keywords from the job posting
  • Emphasizing the most relevant experiences
  • Reordering bullet points to match the role's priorities
  • Removing unrelated details that dilute your focus

Small tweaks for each application can have a big impact, especially when companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes.

Writing Strong Bullet Points

Each bullet point should describe an achievement rather than just a responsibility. Use the action + task + result format:

  • Weak: “Worked on company website”
  • Strong: “Redesigned company website, improving load speed by 35% and increasing user retention by 20%”

Aim for 3-5 bullet points per role, prioritizing measurable outcomes.

Common Resume Sections

Most resumes will include:

  • Contact Information: Name, phone, email, LinkedIn, portfolio or GitHub (if relevant)
  • Summary or Objective: 2-3 sentences highlighting your skills, experience, and career goals (optional but useful for clarity)
  • Experience: Your work history, including internships and significant projects
  • Education: Degree(s), certifications, relevant coursework
  • Skills: Technical and soft skills relevant to the role
  • Projects: Personal or academic projects that demonstrate ability

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Many resumes are rejected for easily preventable reasons. Avoid:

  • Typos and grammatical errors
  • Overly long resumes (stick to 1 page if early-career, 2 max if experienced)
  • Unprofessional email addresses
  • Dense blocks of text with no white space
  • Listing every job you've ever had, even if irrelevant

Getting Feedback

Just like code, resumes benefit from review. Ask mentors, peers, or professionals in your network to look it over. Consider using online tools to scan for ATS compatibility and readability.

You can also review resumes from others in your field to get a sense of formatting, tone, and content trends.

Treat your resume as a living document — update it regularly with new skills, achievements, and projects. A well-maintained resume ensures you're always ready when the right opportunity comes along.

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