Students often make minor formatting errors on their resumes, such as inconsistent tenses, varied abbreviations for the same thing, different font sizes, and misspelled words. The video emphasizes that attention to these details is crucial as the resume is the first deliverable a company sees from an applicant.
This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to write an effective software engineering resume, focusing on crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with recruiters. Mark Benliyan shares insights from his experience and analysis of numerous resumes to detail common mistakes, the importance of storytelling, and a structured approach to resume building.
Yes, the video touches on resume formatting, specifically mentioning that it's generally better to avoid icons and stick to text-based formatting, as this can be more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). The speaker also advises against "wacky templates" and emphasizes a clear hierarchy for scannability. While not explicitly stating "1 column vs. 2 column," the emphasis on clear hierarchy and scannability implies a preference for straightforward, easily digestible formats over overly complex ones.
The "What, Why, How" framework is applied to resume bullet points to ensure they convey comprehensive information.
A strong bullet point should answer at least two of these questions, while a "rockstar" bullet will answer all three, clearly demonstrating the value and impact of your work.
The video addresses whether students should include projects or activities on their resumes.
For projects, the advice is to lean into why the project was impactful, not just that it was done. Rockstar applicants showcase projects that had meaning and impact.
For activities, the video suggests that if you already have strong technical experience and internships, including other activities can help round out your profile as a candidate (e.g., being on a non-profit board). However, if you are still in the stage of struggling to convey technical signal, it's better to focus on technical experience and avoid filling your resume with unrelated activities, as you don't want them to be the majority of your resume.
The "How to get an extra edge" section of the video offers final tips to enhance a resume:
