How to write
a better
resume
John Clegg
ProjectX

Summer of Code Update

Boot
camps
HTML 101 / DB 101
Tomorrow
Sign up !

Coming
Soon
• Rails / PHP / .net
• Communication skills

When I was in India,
An ad for a Java programmer got
>1500 responses in the first day

Disclaimer

Why am I doing this ?

The process of getting a job sucks

I’m here to help you get
to the top of the pile

From last week...
1. Show us your strengths
2. Tell us why you want to work in ICT
3. Be curious
4. Figure out how you learn
5. Focus on getting things done

How long do does a
recruiter read a
resume ?

You’ve got 20 seconds to
You have 20 seconds to impress
impress

Why do you need a good resume?

Recruiters: Friend or foe?

Bots - Resume terminated

Bots
HR Dept - The gatekeepers

Networking....

Who do you know ?

What is the purpose
of a resume ?

To get you an
interview !

What does a
typical resume
tell me about
you ?

Example: Bad CV :-(

Your resume tells me...
1. What you are ?
2. Where you have been ?
3. What you have done ?
...

Your resume tells me...
...
Job –> Role -> Results

Houston, we have a problem!

Analogy...

What if you looked for a date
the same way you wrote
your resume ?

Resume doesn’t
show what you’re
good at !?!?

So what do
they really want
to know ?

What are your core skills?

So what does a
good resume look
like ?

Example: Good CV :-)

Example: Good CV :-)

Why was it good?
The resume told me ...
1) Who he is
2) What core skills he has
3) How he has done it
repeatedly

OK
Now what ?

Whats in a resume ?

Your “resume” should have...
1. One page resume
2. Qualifications summary
3. Technical summary
4. References

Your 1 pager should have...
1. Your personal promise
2. 4-5 core competences /
skills with proof
3. Career History

OAAR approach
Objectives - What were the goals?
Analysis - What did analysis did you make?
Actions - What action did you take ?
Results - What were the results?

OAAR approach leads to
Behaviours
=>
Core competencies

Example - Summer of Code Project

Examples of behaviours
Determined, Problem Solver,
Challenges convention,
Consistent, Lateral Thinker,
Passionate, Results driven,
Finds Patterns

Technical Skills Resume
Provide one page about your technical
skills:
–Skill
–Examples
–Level of Experience
–Is experience current
Drop anything that isn’t relevant

Technical Skills Example

5 resume tips

Tip #1
Resume must
be
one page

Tip #2 Adapt your resume to
EVERY job

Tip #3
Tip #3 Put other stuff
in the back

Tip #4 Only#3
Tip send PDF

Tip #5 Make sure it prints well

Summary...
• Put the important stuff first
• Resume only 1 page and PDF
• Resume contains
- Your Goals / Aspirations
- 5 core skills / attributes
- Education Summary
• 1 page qualifications
• 1 page technical skills summary

Bonus tips

How do I beat the myths ?

Recruiters:
Call them
Always ask where you’re
being represented

Bots
Keyword match specfic roles

Bots
HR Dept
Call them, talk to the Team Lead

Networking....
UP or NZCS ???

Questions

THANK YOU + GOOD LUCK