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How to craft a tech resume when you have little to no experience
No employment history? No problem! Practical advice on crafting a resume with little to no experience.
This article is a refined version of a Twitter thread I wrote in 2021, of the same topic.
If you prefer to read Twitter threads, here you go!
Otherwise, let's get started!
Sections of your Resume
Because your "work history" section will be slim, here's a variety of other options to add that can give you a boost.
The Summary Section
The summary section should be at the top!
Before any experience or capabilities sections, add a summary of:
- what you're learning (JavaScript, CSS, Python, Computer Science, etc)
- things you're trying to achieve (Awards, certificates, or anything else you have goals for)
- the titles that you're targeting (Jr. or Associate Dev, Intern, etc)
Courses Section
- List what you learned
- Be specific about the concepts
- Completed any Google, MS, or other Software focused courses? This is a good place to mention it!
📝 Example: Did you have hands-on training with JavaScript, learned CRUD, and built a to-do list around these concepts? Talk about it!
Certifications & Awards Section
- Self-explanatory but its always good to list the certs you've gained
- Preferably list ones that are at least semi-relavant to the role
- Show them off, you earned them!
Capstone Project Section
Fresh out of school?
You might have had to do a final year project, case study, research etc. Share a little bit about it!
- If you had a capstone project, talk about it.
- What was involved?
- What did you achieve?
- What did you learn?
- How is it relevant to the role you're applying for?
Other Projects
- Instead of employers, list out the names of projects you worked on and what type of work went into it
- If possible, Add links! (ex. Github, personal portfolio, other websites you helped build, etc!)
- If you're a self-taught dev this might be the beefiest section, highlight your trackable work
Networking
- Do it
- GET ON LINKEDIN
- Add the same (or similar) info from your resume to your profile
- Change your LinkedIn summary and desired title to match what you want and what you're about
💡 Tip: Find someone who's career path matches the path you want. See where they came from, the titles they've had, the way they crafted their LinkedIn. Even message them for questions (but not too many, respect their time!)
Start building a Twitter network!
- Find your Niche
- Connect with people in that niche
- Make friends
- Stay active
📝 Note: if you're using Twitter for professional reasons, make sure to keep the content of your tweets reflective of that goal 😉
Misc. Advice
- It's good to list Soft skills along with hard skills
- Worth mentioning twice --> Find someone at the company/role you want and see what their journey was. This will help you craft your resume and profiles a bit better and most importantly, it can teach you the paths/skills you need to pick up.
- Imitation is the highest form of flattery...BUT only imitate what you actually know and skills that you actually have. Try not to claim to know things you don't know.
Last but not least
Apply even if you don't have all the skills!
Most job postings overreach with the skills they're asking for. Be honest, do your best, show your excitement! Personality goes a long way, sometimes more than arbitrary skills on a resume!