Friday, October 21, 2016

How to Write an IT (Technical) CV


The advances in technology and innovation have made vocations in the field of the physical sciences a strong sell in the marketplace. A typical recruiter looks out for a set of skills that are well presented when looking through an IT (technical) CV.


The best determinant of a well written technical CV hinges on the proportional classification of acquired IT skills and the overall readability by the recruiter. This is crucial as many recruiters will at best be Human Resource Experts who might have no technical training. In selecting a viable candidate for the job, a set of ready keywords will form the template for such positions. Following this, it will be wise to eliminate avoidable jargon that the recruiter might not easily grasp.


Permissible jargon will include actual names of courses and professional certifications received like the C++, CCNA, COBIT, SAP, CISA, CISSP, ORACLE, and MCSE etc. Jargon that describes processes rather than organic functions should be avoided. Simpler description can be employed for technical terminologies, and focus should be on recognizable terms as much as possible. However, other application specific terminologies should be used to convey the relevant details as intended. A sense of balance is also necessary to project areas of competence.


Each set of skills should always be matched with time of usage. This will avail the recruiter of how up to date such credentials are for the candidates. It does not help to detail any skill set that is not used for a period more than six months at any point. All skills set should be updated before applying for the job. It is better not to list any credential that is not up to date in view of the dynamism of innovation and rate of obsolescence for old methodologies.


The presentation of an IT (technical) CV should be akin to a normal CV format in the sense that headings should be clear, and fitted to at most two pages of paper preferably A4. A mix of black and white color per page is preferable. Unnecessary coloration should be avoided. To list courses or training completed uses billets and avoid tasty graphic designs and fonts that will distract the recruiter. Remember that the aesthetics will have little to do with the final selection and outcome so put your energies into better presentation.


Technical positions presuppose that the recruiter will look out for mechanical skills, but interactive skills will play a crucial part. This might be legit if the position includes client interface. Recruiters will not just consider for your technical suitability but also indications of your suitability for non routine and repetitive functions. The proclivity of modern management to switch between task and project functions necessitates a well rounded skill set. The focus of the employer will not just be the candidate’s ability to deliver on technical specifications, but also the ability to coordinate the men and materials.


Introductory paragraphs must be well utilized to capture the reader’s zeal and motivate them to read through the other details on the CV. The profile of the candidate should be captured in the first paragraph which should present to the employer the IT (technical) skills that are in demand by the recruiter. A Tailor fit pattern should be adopted to align with the requirements specified for the job.


The next paragraph should incorporate the relevant details of the experience, skills and executed projects that should interest the recruiter. Personal achievements should be highlighted to reflect areas of cost savings for your last employer. For example, insistence on alternative technologies or methodologies that eventually produced efficient and admissible results. Results that cannot be proven or inaccurate should be avoided so as not to provide grounds for questionable credibility. There is a tendency to embellish CVs by most candidates but that does not make it acceptable.


A short history of your work experience should be described to project the intending role that will benefit the employer. Your responsibilities and job description should be provided to provide an insight to your suitability for the position. The requirements of the position applied for should be kept in focus to align with the experience you have acquired and how vital it was to your previous roles. The employer will need to be persuaded that you are able to add value to the corporate worth. It is vital to link your experience to the available position for a measure of best fit.


It is essential to put professional and technical courses under different sections with the most relevant skills set coming first. Your professional training will include membership processes completed for the professional bodies that superintend your field of endeavor. Update courses and training programs attended should be included. Technical courses will include on the job training received or acquired through exchange programs. This can be inter or intra-company or industry driven. Professional courses completed show that candidates will be held accountable to the tenets of such practice while training courses indicate a standard of fieldwork.


Description of education should be brief and any wordiness avoided in order to having the full attention of the recruiter. Dates, names and place of schooling should be provided alongside degrees and certificates awarded. The year of award of such degrees will prove to be of advantage along with outstanding awards received for such courses. Special awards are of value as they point out to the employer that you are exceptional and clearly a top runner for the position.


Lastly, make sure there is a cover letter providing details on how you knew about the job and why you are a superb fit for the position. A compelling cover letter is additional mileage for your CV to be considered. Your cover letter should be sent to the employer as a formal letter with the CV as an attachment. When submitted by email, make sure to try out the attachment to confirm that it correctly installed. A faulty link will rubbish all the worthwhile preparations and reduce your chance of getting employed.






How to Write an IT (Technical) CV

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