How To Get Software Development Jobs Faster
If you’re reading this then chances are you’ve been looking for a software development job for a while – maybe it’s even starting to feel hopeless. It can be extremely frustrating and time-consuming to comb through dozens of job postings and send out resume after resume with no luck.
You may be tempted to give up or resort to applying at positions with a matching skill-set but not necessarily in the software field.
We all know that software development jobs are some of the most challenging to get especially when you don’t have any experience or your resume is somewhat lacking compared to others applying for the same job.
If you’re willing to make some minor changes and make a little effort, I’m sure you will find yourself getting a lot more responses and interviews than you were before.
How To Get Software Development Jobs Faster
Here are 10 great ways to get your resume noticed:
1. Get your resume out of PowerPoint hell
First impressions matter and seeing a customer service email address, an auto-reply telling me someone is on vacation or even just the default font can be a turn-off. I can’t tell you how many resumes I’ve reviewed over the years that had no style or consistency at all. This is one of those things that some hiring managers may not notice right away, but subconsciously it’s one of those little things on your resume that makes me think “This person doesn’t have their stuff together.”
How to fix:
Make a copy of your current resume and paste it into a word document. Then simply play around with different styles, fonts, and layouts for a bit until you find something that works well for you. If you’re having trouble figuring out what will look best then search Google Images for ‘resume templates’ and use some of these as inspiration. Here are some great-looking resume templates from Canva.
2. Be explicit with your interests and goals
It’s very important that you show interest in the company and position you’re applying for. I see a lot of resumes where the person just lists their responsibilities and duties or goes into detail about why they want to work there instead of what they could offer the company if hired. Most hiring managers don’t have much time to sift through hundreds (or even thousands) of resumes, so when yours is one of them, you’d better make it stand out!
How to fix:
Take each bullet point in your resume and ask yourself “Why?” What would make me hire this person? We all know that companies love to see applicants who are coachable and have a desire to learn, so this is how you can show that. For example:
“Developed and maintained websites for the college’s dormitories.”
Sounds great, but why? What would make me hire this person? They already have experience with making websites AND they took initiative by upgrading an existing one. Therefore, I’d probably want to interview them because they could be valuable assets.
3. Customize your resume for each company you apply to
If 10 people call for interviews from one job posting, what are the chances all of those people have the exact same skill-set as you do? Slim to none, right? So if that’s the case then why does it seem like everyone who applies has the same mediocre cover letter and resume?
How to fix:
Research the company you’re applying for. Make sure you know what they do, where they operate, and why they would need someone with your skill-set. This makes it more likely that whoever is doing the initial review of resumes will notice your application right away because “Oh look, this person knows exactly what we do here!”
4. Bullet points are your friend
It’s okay to use bullet points so long as you avoid meaningless ones like ‘Responsible for…’ or ‘Performed various duties…’ Those kinds of phrases can be easily found on any average job posting so I won’t give you credit for writing them down on your resume unless there’s something unique about you that makes me say “Wow, that’s a great way to put it.”
How to fix:
Pick 2-3 things that you did in each job and make short bullet points about them. For example:
“Prepared weekly budgets for several departments within the company.”
“Reduced the percentage of returns from North American customers by over 12%”
5. Be honest!
You’d be surprised how many candidates lie on their resumes. I see every kind of lie imaginable including inflated job titles, incorrect dates of employment, and even made-up responsibilities! Most companies will do some sort of background check before hiring anyone which means these kinds of lies are bound to catch up with you eventually if they haven’t already. If you aren’t sure what to include, just ask yourself: What would make me hire this person?
How to fix:
If you’re not sure if something should be included then test your list of things on a friend or family member who is in the workforce and has some experience. They will be able to tell you if there’s anything that needs to be removed or changed so it doesn’t sound fishy. Also, many companies don’t mention certain skill-sets such as Microsoft Word usage for example because they expect most workers already know how to use them. If you’re part of the small number that do not have these skills then it is absolutely crucial that you add them! Just say “I used X program at my last job.”
6. Don’t take up too much room with your resume
There’s nothing more disappointing than cracking open a brand new book and realizing that it’s mostly empty pages with just a few words on each page. Remember, you only get an average of 10 seconds before someone decides to toss your resume in the trash or pass it on to the hiring manager so make sure every word counts!
How to fix:
Here’s one of my personal pet peeves when it comes to resumes; long paragraphs. I want key phrases that will help me determine quickly if this is the right candidate for the job or not (remember that 10-second timeframe!). This means writing short bullet points rather than long sentences because they’re easier and faster to read. Also, don’t feel like you’re restricted by space! Take advantage of there being two pages by making yours more thorough but no longer than it needs to be. For example, there’s no reason for you to include what your job duties were if the job posting already lists them.
7. Don’t make obvious mistakes!
I’ve seen way too many resumes that have terrible typos which automatically makes me think of the person as an idiot who can’t even bother with simple things like proofreading their own work before submitting it. While this usually wouldn’t be a problem if you’re applying for jobs where English isn’t the primary language, most professions only allow applicants with good command over their first or second languages so avoid making these mistakes at all costs!
How to fix:
Use spell check and ask someone else to look over your resume just in case. It helps if you know someone in advanced math, science, engineering, or some other profession that requires a lot of attention to detail because they’re most likely to find your mistakes.
8. Don’t make it too long!
Again, 10 seconds. Make sure every single thing on your resume is important and relevant because if you don’t, chances are the hiring manager won’t even bother taking a closer look at it! I can usually tell if someone reads through all of my qualifications before handing me their resume by the way they introduce themselves – if it’s a quick “Hi, I’m John” then chances are they just handed out copies blindly but if they say something like “I am applying for this position as I have attained several key qualifications which meet those in the job description,” then they at least read through my qualifications and looked for something in common.
How to fix:
If you’re not sure how long it should be then try your best to keep it under two pages (single or double spaced) because many hiring managers won’t even give a resume that’s longer than this a second glance. Remember, the shorter the better! Also, don’t feel like you need to include everything about yourself such as who you voted for in the last election. Unless they are directly relevant such as your major then leave them out of your resume completely! It’s easier said than done but we only have 10 seconds remember… 🙂
What is the fastest way to become a software developer?
“To learn by doing.” It is not the only way, but it is definitely the most efficient. That’s why programming bootcamps are so popular. They teach practical skills with an accelerated curriculum which leaves pupils in want of nothing but the experience. If you have never learned to code before, or are looking for a new career change, you should consider applying.
I did some research about them and came up with this list of top ten boot camps in the United States, based on their popularity in Facebook groups, alumni reviews, job placement ratios, and media attention are given.
Read More: Technology Education: How To Transition Into Tech In 2022?
Top Technology Skills To Learn in 2022
Final Thoughts
Showing off your qualifications through a resume isn’t as simple as it seems. It requires proper formatting, brevity, and attention to detail if you’re truly serious about getting the job you want! If there are any mistakes on your resume then they will be noticed so make sure you know what to look for before sending it out there. Good luck.
How To Get Software Development Jobs Faster
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