Since you are currently browsing on WeCode NI you must be considering a new job sometime soon. As an IT Recruiter with over 7 years’ experience, I have been asked on numerous occasions what structure a CV should take and what content should be and shouldn’t be included. Some developers have stayed in the same job for quite some time and haven’t written a CV in a while, others have never written a CV.

Firstly, lets bust a couple of myths that are out there about CV’s. The main one I hear on a regular basis is that a CV should be kept to one or two pages. If you are a developer with over ten years’ experience in a range of different contract positions, this is an impossibility. If you need to take five pages to get your career history down on paper, then do so.

Another myth that seems to be out there is that a developer needs to write down every technology they have ever had experience with no matter how brief it was. Just because you covered a module of C# in university doesn’t mean you should have it on your CV. Some companies will ask you to back up every skill you have on your CV so if you can’t, then remove it straight away. Only include skills you are competent in.

Begin with a summary on who you are, what your current role is and what sort of challenge you are seeking in your next job.  

Then list the technical skills that you have commercial experience with.  Some developers like to give a rating system or assign levels of competence, but I would recommend that you don’t do this. Do not list skills that are irrelevant e.g. MS Excel.

After this, you can go into your career history. Remember, employers are keen to see what your actual role was within a project. Keep the entries specific to your IT career. Employers don’t care that you worked in Tesco’s when you were sixteen.

At this point, I would list your education and certifications. Make sure you include any training you have completed in your own time at your own expense. Employers love developers that are motivated and continually improving their skills.

Including an ‘Interests’ section is a good idea but only if it something that stands out. Listing interests like ‘socialising with friends’ or ‘going to the cinema’ is pointless. However, if you are an active member of Belfast JS then this is well worth mentioning. List something that really showcases your personality and gives you something to chat about at an interview.

Don’t send the same CV to every job that you apply for. Tailor it specifically to each position.  Use the job description to help you with this.  If it lists several essential skills that you have then make sure they are clearly visible on your CV.

The easiest way for you to showcase your technical ability is to showcase your projects on GitHub. More and more companies are asking for an active GitHub account. It tells the employer that you are passionate about what you do and you are continually seeking to improve as a developer.

If you would like me to read through your CV and offer additional tips then feel free to reach out to me at Gareth@corvus.jobs.

The content of a job spec can say a lot about a company. If you are writing a job spec, there are a few important things you should remember if you want to attract the best candidates or any candidates at all.

Unless you’re hiring someone to assassinate your competition, you are not hiring a ninja. Are you looking for someone to melt your face with a guitar solo before smashing the guitar? If not, you’re probably not hiring a rockstar.

I know this kind of language is common in the startup scene. You might even think that it makes the company sound edgy and young but in reality, it sounds cliché and can be fairly of putting.

Tell us about the interview process. Does it take 12 weeks and involve an unpaid trial period? Letting applicants know what getting the job is going to involve will help attract more applicants. The applicants are also going to be prepared for the interview process.

It’s pretty common to see software job posts that state a degree is required. Usually, though, the company would be happy to accept a candidate who has industry experience instead. If that is the case then say so. You could be missing out on potential candidates.

When looking for a job, do you consider the salary before applying? Of course you do, everyone does. If you value your time and the time of the time of applicants, please include a salary range in the job posting.

5. Make sure your requirements are actually requirements

Job requirements are written with good intentions but they can excluding. A lot of applicants who would otherwise be great for the job are put off applying if they don’t meet all the requirements. Instead, it’s better to describe what a successful applicant will be doing on a daily basis.

Let the applicant decide if he or she is qualified. You’ll get to ask questions in an interview to confirm this.

At the end of the day, you’re hiring people. Treat them like so. Don’t waste time and talk to them like they are adults. There is no secret to attracting applicants, just show that you value their time. When you’re ready, head over to the Post a Job Page and tell the world about your job opportunities.

How to write a Software Development CV

5 Tips for Attracting More Applicants

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