Crafting a standout curriculum vitae can be a daunting task in the crowded IT job market, with the challenge of showcasing technical skills and experience in a concise and impactful way. Our guide offers expert advice on structuring your CV to highlight your accomplishments, ensuring you make a memorable impression on potential employers.
- Answer job requirements with your it CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your it CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
How complex should the format of your it CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your it CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a it CV
- Personal Statement outlines your IT passions and career goals.
- Technical Expertise section demonstrates your specific IT skills.
- Relevant IT Experience showcases your hands-on work in the field.
- Education and Certifications highlight formal IT training and courses.
- Projects and Portfolio present tangible examples of your IT accomplishments.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical skills at the top of your CV, making sure to include programming languages, tools, frameworks, and systems you are proficient in, as they are paramount for IT roles.
- Detail any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your problem-solving abilities and expertise in developing, implementing, or managing IT solutions.
- Include any certifications or training relevant to IT, such as CompTIA, Cisco, or Microsoft certifications, to demonstrate your commitment to professional development in the field.
- For each position listed, quantify your achievements with metrics, such as the number of users supported, the percentage increase in system efficiency, or downtime reduced.
- Use action verbs specific to IT, such as "developed", "implemented", "automated", or "optimised", to concisely describe your responsibilities and accomplishments.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning it CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for it:
- Senior Software Engineer | Full-Stack Development | Agile Methodologies | AWS Certified | 8+ Years of Experience
- IT Project Manager | PMP Certified | Risk Management | Integration Strategies | 10 Years in Leadership
- Junior Data Analyst | Statistical Modelling | Python Expert | Data Visualisation | MSc in Data Science
- Network Administrator | CCNA Certified | System Upgrades | Security Protocols | 5 Years On-Site Experience
- Principal Cybersecurity Analyst | Ethical Hacking | GDPR Compliance | CISSP | 12+ Years in Information Security
- Lead DevOps Engineer | CI/CD Pipelines | Kubernetes | Cloud Infrastructure | AZ-400 Certified | 7 Years Engaged
Catching recruiters' attention with your it CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your it CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a it job:
- Seasoned IT professional with 10 years of experience in cybersecurity, boasting a track record of implementing robust security frameworks for Fortune 500 companies. Proven skills in threat analysis and vulnerability assessment, alongside spearheading the successful mitigation of a major international data breach.
- Dedicated software developer with 8 years' expertise in building scalable web applications using cutting-edge technologies like Node.js and React. Successfully led the development of a high-traffic e-commerce platform that resulted in a 150% growth in online sales.
- Former mechanical engineer looking to leverage 7 years of problem-solving and project management experience in transitioning to an IT project manager role. Brings a unique perspective with a strong understanding of integrating physical and digital systems, aiming to contribute to complex tech-driven solutions.
- Driven professional with a decade of marketing and data analysis expertise, now seeking to transition into IT with a focus on data science. Certified in Big Data analytics, enthusiastic about employing predictive modelling and machine learning to extract actionable insights and drive business growth.
- Eager to kick-start an IT career with a focus on software development, bringing forth a passion for coding and a solid foundation in Java and Python. Committed to learning and contributing to software projects that solve real-world problems, while advancing my technical capabilities.
- Recent graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, aiming to begin a career in network administration. Excels at configuring and maintaining computer networks, with a strong interest in developing secure and efficient network infrastructure for dynamic, data-driven environments.
The best formula for your it CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Quantify your achievements with metrics, such as code efficiency improvements or reduced loading times, to demonstrate the tangible impact of your work on past projects.
- Highlight specific technologies, programming languages, and frameworks you have experience with, aligning those to the requirements of the job you are applying for.
- Include details of your involvement in the software development lifecycle (SDLC), demonstrating your ability to work in different stages from design to deployment.
- Mention cross-functional collaboration, such as working with project managers, UX/UI designers, and quality assurance teams, to show your ability to work in a team.
- Document instances of problem-solving and troubleshooting, providing examples of complex issues you've resolved which may parallel challenges in the potential new role.
- Detail any experience with version control systems such as Git, underscoring your understanding of code management and collaborative workflows.
- Discuss agile or other project management methodologies you are familiar with, indicating how you've contributed to the efficiency and adaptability of development processes.
- Note any leadership or mentoring roles you’ve taken, such as leading a development team or guiding junior developers, to highlight your capacity for responsibility.
- Touch on your experience with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) if relevant, to demonstrate your skills in modern, scalable architecture.
- Spearheaded the migration of legacy systems to cloud-based platforms for improved scalability and efficiency, leading to a 25% reduction in operational costs.
- Managed a team of 12 IT professionals, fostering a collaborative environment that contributed to the successful deployment of an enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy.
- Implemented automated processes using AI and machine learning algorithms that enhanced data analytics capabilities, resulting in a 40% increase in business intelligence insights.
- Oversaw the development of a proprietary CRM system that improved customer interaction tracking and data collection, driving a 15% uplift in customer satisfaction scores.
- Negotiated and managed vendor contracts for software and hardware solutions, achieving an average of 20% savings on technology expenditures.
- Directed the IT support team through a major company restructuring, integrating new technologies and software without interrupting critical business processes.
- Played a key role in a cross-functional team to deliver a blockchain-based supply chain solution, which enhanced transparency and decreased transaction times by 30%.
- Coordinated and executed the IT roadmap that included the upgrade of network infrastructure to support a 50% increase in workforce.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments for IT systems which identified and mitigated potential security vulnerabilities, bolstering overall system resilience.
- Developed and rolled out an inventory management system that reduced stock discrepancies by 60%, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Initiated and led weekly training sessions for technical staff, improving team proficiency with new software releases and IT protocols.
- Collaborated on the company-wide transition to a VoIP communication system, cutting telecommunications costs by 35% while improving functionality.
- Upgraded enterprise database management system, improving data retrieval times by 50% and bolstering user satisfaction.
- Authored and maintained comprehensive IT documentation, ensuring ISO 27001 compliance and supporting a culture of high-quality IT service management.
- Orchestrated a company-wide antivirus initiative that resulted in a 75% reduction in malware incidents across the corporate network.
- Designed and deployed a responsive IT ticketing system which raised the issue resolution rate by 40% and enhanced user satisfaction with IT support.
- Led the technical aspect of a merger, flawlessly integrating two separate IT systems without data loss or significant downtime.
- Implemented a robust data backup and recovery solution that minimized data loss potential during critical system failures and outages.
- Coordinated a digital transformation project by introducing agile methodologies, consequently accelerating product development cycles by 20%.
- Conceived and developed a comprehensive user training program for new software applications, culminating in a 50% improvement in deployment efficiency.
- Analyzed system usage and performance data to recommend enhancements, leading to the optimization of IT resource allocations and a 30% performance uplift.
- Introduced a new IT service management framework that standardized incident response procedures across departments, shortening average resolution times by 25%.
- Championed the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to track asset performance, enhancing predictive maintenance and reducing downtime by 20%.
- Optimized network security protocols and response strategies, which led to the mitigation of cybersecurity risks by 45%.
- Streamlined cross-departmental communication by implementing collaboration tools that resulted in a 30% uptick in project delivery efficiency.
- Managed the deployment of a multi-factor authentication system for all company assets, significantly enhancing the security posture of the organization.
- Piloted a remote working infrastructure to support a distributed workforce, achieving a 95% employee satisfaction rate for flexibility and work-life balance.
- Executed a company-wide operating system upgrade with zero downtime during business hours, enhancing system security and user experience.
- Facilitated the development of a data warehousing solution that integrated disparate data sources, enabling improved analytics and decision-making processes.
- Pioneered an IT sustainability initiative that led to a 20% reduction in energy consumption through the implementation of energy-efficient systems and equipment.
How to ensure your it CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
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Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your it CV:
Software Development
Database Management
Cybersecurity
Cloud Computing
Network Architecture
Data Analysis
Project Management
Scripting
DevOps Practices
Technical Support
Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking
Communication
Adaptability
Teamwork
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Leadership
Continuous Learning
Stress Management
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your it CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your it CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
