How to Build a Tech CV That Passes the Screening

When you're trying to break into the tech industry, one of the most frustrating things can be sending out application after application, only to hear nothing back. You know you have the skills and the drive to succeed, but somehow your applications just aren't making it past the initial screening. If this sounds familiar, you're probably wondering what you can do to improve your chances of getting noticed. The truth is, the first hurdle your application has to clear is often an automated system, designed to filter out candidates who don't meet the minimum requirements for the job. But even if you make it past the automated screening, your tech CV resume tips still need to be on point if you want to impress the human reviewers who will ultimately decide whether or not you get an interview. The automated screening systems used by most companies are designed to look for very specific things, such as keywords related to the job description, relevant certifications or degrees, and a certain amount of experience in the field. If your CV doesn't contain these keywords, or if you don't have the required qualifications, it's likely to get rejected before it even reaches a human reviewer. But what if you're just starting out, and don't have any experience to speak of? How can you write a CV that will pass the screening, when you don't have any achievements or qualifications to highlight? This is a challenge faced by many beginners in the tech industry, and it's not always easy to know where to start. The key to writing a strong CV, even with no experience, is to focus on the skills and knowledge you do have, and to present them in a way that's clear and concise. This might involve highlighting any relevant projects or courses you've completed, or emphasizing the transferable skills you've developed in other areas of your life. It's also important to be ruthless about cutting anything that's not essential to your application - a cluttered or confusing CV is unlikely to make it past the screening, no matter how strong your skills are. By following some simple tech CV resume tips, and tailoring your application to the specific job you're applying for, you can increase your chances of getting noticed, and take the first step towards a successful career in tech.

What Do Automated Screening Systems Look for in a Tech CV

A significant number of companies, including top tech firms, use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they even reach human eyes. These systems, like Workday, BambooHR, or SAP SuccessFactors, help filter out unqualified candidates, saving time and resources. When building your tech CV, it's essential to understand what these automated screening systems look for to increase your chances of passing the initial screening.

Keywords and Keyword Density

ATS often rely on keyword matching to determine the relevance of a candidate's experience and skills to the job posting. For instance, if a job requires proficiency in Python, JavaScript, and React, the ATS will look for these keywords in your CV. The density of these keywords, typically measured as a percentage of the total word count, also matters. Aim for a keyword density of 1-2% for primary skills and 0.5-1% for secondary skills. Using tools like LinkedIn's Job Explorer or Resume Worded can help you identify the most critical keywords for your desired role.

For example, a job posting for a junior software developer might require skills like Python (2+ years), JavaScript (1+ year), and React (1+ year). Your CV should reflect these requirements, with a keyword density of around 1.5% for Python, 1% for JavaScript, and 0.8% for React. This translates to mentioning each keyword 3-5 times in a 200-word work experience section.

Work Experience and Education

Automated screening systems also evaluate your work experience and education. They look for specific details like job titles, company names, and dates of employment. Ensure your work experience section is concise, with a clear focus on achievements and responsibilities rather than just listing job duties. Use action verbs like "Developed," "Managed," and "Improved" to describe your accomplishments. Education-wise, include your degree, field of study, and institution, as well as any relevant certifications or training programs.

Use a standard format for listing work experience, with the most recent experience first.
Include the company name, job title, and dates of employment for each work experience entry.
Mention specific tools, technologies, or methodologies used in each role.
Quantify your achievements by including numbers and statistics, such as "Improved code quality by 25% through rigorous testing and refactoring" or "Reduced project delivery time by 30% through process optimization."

File Format and Structure

The file format and structure of your CV can also affect how well it passes through automated screening systems. Most ATS can parse common file formats like Word documents (.docx), PDFs, and text files (.txt). However, it's recommended to use a Word document or a PDF, as these formats are more likely to preserve the formatting and layout of your CV. In terms of structure, use a clean and simple layout, with clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for the ATS to read and extract information.

A well-structured CV should have a clear and concise summary or objective statement, followed by sections for work experience, education, and skills. Use headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Technical Skills" to help the ATS navigate your CV and extract relevant information. By understanding what automated screening systems look for, you can tailor your CV to increase your chances of passing the initial screening and getting noticed by human reviewers.

How to Write a Tech CV with No Prior Experience

Having no prior experience can make it challenging to write a tech CV, but it's not impossible. Many successful tech professionals started from scratch, and with the right strategy, you can create a compelling CV that showcases your potential. The key is to focus on the skills and knowledge you've acquired through other means, such as online courses, personal projects, and contributions to open-source projects.

Highlighting Relevant Skills and Knowledge

Start by making a list of the skills and technologies you've learned, even if you haven't used them in a professional setting. For example, if you've completed online courses in Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS, highlight these skills on your CV. You can also mention any relevant tools or software you've used, such as GitHub, Visual Studio Code, or Adobe Creative Cloud. Be specific about the versions of the tools you've used and the platforms you've worked on, e.g., Python 3.9, Node.js 14.17, or Windows 10.

Quantify your skills by including metrics such as the number of projects you've completed, the lines of code you've written, or the number of hours you've spent learning a particular technology. For instance, you could say, "Completed 10 projects using Python, totaling 5,000 lines of code, over a period of 6 months."

Personal Projects and Contributions to Open-Source Projects

Personal projects and contributions to open-source projects are excellent ways to demonstrate your skills and showcase your work to potential employers. If you've built a personal website using WordPress, created a mobile app using React Native, or contributed to a project on GitHub, highlight these achievements on your CV. Provide links to your projects or a GitHub repository, so reviewers can access and review your work.

Some popular open-source projects for beginners include the Ubuntu operating system, the Firefox browser, or the Python programming language. You can also participate in coding challenges on platforms like HackerRank, Codewars, or Codepen, to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and coding abilities.

Certifications and Online Courses

Certifications and online courses can help fill the gap in your CV, especially if you're new to the tech industry. Consider taking courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or edX, which offer a wide range of courses in tech-related fields. Some popular certifications for beginners include the CompTIA A+ certification, the Cisco CCNA certification, or the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification.

CompTIA A+ certification: ₦120,000 - ₦180,000 (approximately $300-$450 USD)
Cisco CCNA certification: ₦150,000 - ₦250,000 (approximately $375-$625 USD)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification: ₦100,000 - ₦150,000 (approximately $250-$375 USD)

When listing certifications and online courses on your CV, include the name of the course, the platform, the date completed, and any relevant skills or knowledge acquired. For example, "Completed the Python for Everybody course on Coursera, acquiring skills in Python programming, data structures, and file input/output, in 3 months, at a cost of ₦50,000 (approximately $125 USD)."

Key Sections to Include in a Tech Resume for Human Reviewers

When your resume passes the initial automated screening, it will be reviewed by human recruiters or hiring managers who are looking for specific information to determine if you are a good fit for the role. To increase your chances of getting noticed, your tech resume should include the following key sections:

Summary/Objective Statement

This section should be a brief overview of your background, skills, and experience. It should be no more than 2-3 sentences and should entice the reviewer to read further. For example, a recent graduate with a degree in Computer Science might write: "Highly motivated and detail-oriented IT graduate with proficiency in Python, Java, and C++, seeking an entry-level position in a reputable tech firm like Andela or Interswitch." This section should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for, highlighting the skills and experience that match the job requirements.

Technical Skills

In this section, you should list all the technical skills you possess, including programming languages, software, and tools. Be specific and include versions where applicable. For example, instead of just listing "Microsoft Office", you could list "Microsoft Office 2019, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint". Some other examples of technical skills you might include are:

Programming languages: Python 3.9, Java 11, JavaScript ES6
Development frameworks: React, Django, Spring Boot
Databases: MySQL 8.0, MongoDB 4.4, PostgreSQL 13.4
Operating Systems: Windows 10, Linux Ubuntu 20.04, macOS Big Sur
Cloud platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Remember to only list skills you are proficient in, as you will likely be tested on them during the interview process. It's also a good idea to include any relevant certifications or training programs you have completed, such as the Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Developer certification or the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification.

Education and Certifications

This section should include your highest level of education completed, including the institution, degree, and date of completion. If you have any relevant certifications or training programs, you should also include them here. For example:

BSc Computer Science, University of Lagos, 2020
Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Developer, 2022
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate, 2021

Be sure to include any academic achievements or specializations that are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you completed a final year project on machine learning, you could mention it here, including the technologies you used (e.g. Python, TensorFlow, scikit-learn) and the outcome of the project.

Experience

Even if you don't have direct work experience, you can still include any relevant experience you have, such as internships, volunteer work, or personal projects. For example, if you contributed to an open-source project on GitHub, you could include it here, including the technologies you used and your role in the project. Be specific about your achievements and the impact you made, using numbers and metrics where possible. For example: "Contributed to the development of a web application using React and Node.js, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement over a 6-month period."

Remember to tailor your experience section to the specific job you are applying for, highlighting the skills and experience that match the job requirements. Use action verbs like "developed", "designed", "tested", and "deployed" to describe your achievements, and include any relevant metrics or statistics to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Common Mistakes to Cut from Your Tech CV for Better Results

When building a tech CV, it's easy to get caught up in trying to include every detail, skill, and experience. However, including too much or the wrong information can actually hurt your chances of passing the screening process. Here are some common mistakes to cut from your tech CV for better results.

Irrelevant Work Experience

Many job seekers make the mistake of including every work experience they've ever had, regardless of its relevance to the tech industry. For example, if you're applying for a software development role, your experience as a waiter or retail salesperson is unlikely to be relevant. Cut any work experience that doesn't demonstrate your technical skills or experience, such as proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript, or experience with tools like GitHub, Jira, or Asana.

For instance, instead of including a job description like "Waiter at XYZ Restaurant (2018-2020)", focus on highlighting any transferable skills you may have gained, such as "Improved communication skills, working with a team to achieve customer satisfaction goals, and handling cash transactions accurately". However, if you don't have any direct tech experience, it's better to focus on your education, projects, or relevant coursework, such as completing a course on Python programming on platforms like Coursera or Udemy.

Generic Keywords and Buzzwords

Using generic keywords and buzzwords like "team player", "results-driven", or "proficient in Microsoft Office" can make your CV sound like everyone else's. Instead, use specific examples and metrics to demonstrate your skills and experience. For example, "Improved code quality by 25% through rigorous testing and debugging using tools like PyCharm and Selenium" or "Increased website traffic by 50% through SEO optimization using tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush". Be specific about the tools and technologies you've used, and try to include numbers and metrics wherever possible.

Avoid using generic terms like "familiar with" or "exposed to" - instead, use specific language like "proficient in", "experienced with", or "skilled in".
Don't just list tools and technologies - explain how you've used them to achieve specific goals or solve problems. For example, "Used MySQL to design and implement a database for a web application, resulting in a 30% reduction in data retrieval time" or "Utilized Agile methodologies like Scrum to manage a team of developers, resulting in a 25% increase in project delivery speed".
Use action verbs like "developed", "designed", "implemented", and "managed" to describe your experience and skills. For instance, "Developed a machine learning model using TensorFlow and Python, resulting in a 90% accuracy rate" or "Designed and implemented a cloud-based infrastructure using AWS, resulting in a 40% reduction in costs".

Unnecessary Sections and Information

Some job seekers include unnecessary sections or information in their CV, such as hobbies, personal interests, or references. Unless you're applying for a role that specifically requires a certain hobby or interest, it's best to cut this information and focus on your technical skills and experience. For example, instead of including a "Hobbies" section, use that space to highlight your experience with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, or Jenkins.

Additionally, avoid including unnecessary information like your age, marital status, or health status. This information is not only irrelevant to your technical abilities, but it can also raise concerns about discrimination. Stick to the facts and focus on showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements. With a well-crafted CV, you can increase your chances of passing the screening process and landing an interview. For example, a well-structured CV can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your value to potential employers, potentially increasing your earning potential from ₦500,000 per year to ₦1,500,000 per year or more, depending on your experience and location.

Remember, the key to a strong tech CV is to be specific, concise, and focused on your technical skills and experience. By cutting out unnecessary information and highlighting your achievements, you can increase your chances of success in the tech industry. For instance, a study by Glassdoor found that the average time spent reviewing a CV is about 6 seconds, so it's essential to make a strong impression quickly. By tailoring your CV to the specific job you're applying for and using language from the job description, you can increase your chances of passing the screening process and landing an interview, potentially within 1-3 months of applying.

Tailoring Your Tech CV to Pass the Screening for Specific Jobs

When applying for a tech job, it's essential to tailor your CV to the specific position you're applying for. Automated screening systems and human reviewers look for different things, and understanding what they want can help you increase your chances of passing the screening. Automated systems, such as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), typically look for keywords related to the job description, while human reviewers look for relevance, context, and achievements.

For example, if you're applying for a junior software developer position at a company like Andela or Flutterwave, the ATS might look for keywords like "Python", "JavaScript", or "Git". To increase your chances of passing the screening, make sure to include these keywords in your CV, especially in your summary, skills section, and work experience. Use tools like LinkedIn's Job Explorer or Glassdoor's Job Search to find the most relevant keywords for the job you're applying for.

Writing Experience with No Experience

If you're a beginner with little to no experience, it can be challenging to write a convincing CV. However, there are ways to demonstrate your skills and potential to employers. Consider including projects you've worked on, either personally or through online platforms like GitHub or GitLab. For instance, if you've built a simple web scraper using Python and BeautifulSoup, highlight this project in your CV, including the technologies used and what you learned from the experience.

Include relevant coursework or academic projects that demonstrate your technical skills, such as data structures, algorithms, or computer systems.
Mention any online certifications or courses you've completed, such as those offered by Coursera, Udemy, or edX.
Highlight any volunteer or freelance work you've done, even if it's not directly related to the job you're applying for.

For example, if you've completed a course on Python programming on Coursera, which costs around ₦50,000 (approximately $120 USD), be sure to include this in your CV. Similarly, if you've volunteered to help a local non-profit organization build a website using WordPress, highlight this experience, including the technologies used and the skills you developed.

What to Cut from Your CV

When tailoring your CV to a specific job, it's essential to cut out any irrelevant information that might distract the reviewer. Consider the following:

Remove any unnecessary sections, such as hobbies or interests, unless they're directly related to the job.
Eliminate any generic or vague statements, such as "proficient in Microsoft Office" or "excellent communication skills". Instead, focus on specific, measurable achievements, such as "increased website traffic by 25% through SEO optimization" or "improved code quality by 30% through rigorous testing".
Keep your CV concise and focused, ideally one to two pages in length. Use clear, concise language and bullet points to make your experience and skills stand out.

By tailoring your CV to the specific job you're applying for and understanding what automated screening systems and human reviewers look for, you can increase your chances of passing the screening and landing an interview. Remember to use specific examples, such as the time it takes to complete a course (e.g., 3-6 months for a Coursera course) or the cost of a certification (e.g., ₦200,000 for a Certified Scrum Master certification), to demonstrate your commitment to learning and professional development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include in my tech CV?

You should include relevant technical skills, projects, and experiences, tailoring them to the job you're applying for, within a 1-2 page limit, costing around ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 for professional formatting.

How long does it take to build a strong tech CV?

Building a strong tech CV takes around 2-5 days, depending on your experience and the amount of information you need to gather and organize, with an optional ₦20,000 investment in a CV review service.

Do I need to pay for CV building services?

No, you don't need to pay, as you can build your own tech CV using free online resources and templates, available for $0 or ₦0, although paying $10 or ₦4,000 for a premium template can enhance its quality.

Will a great CV guarantee me a job in tech?

No, a great CV does not guarantee a job, as it only increases your chances of passing the screening, with the actual hiring decision depending on your performance in interviews and assessments, which may require an additional investment of $50 or ₦20,000 in preparation courses.

Where to go from here

Webbo3 Academy runs live online classes taught by real instructors, with AI-guided lessons in between. If this is the direction you want, the next step is to see the course structure and what the first week covers. You can also register to get started.