SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, answers HR questions each week.
Do you have an HR or work-related question you’d like him to answer? Submit it here.
I’m graduating college and looking to begin my career in software engineering. What should be included on a resume with two internships as professional work experience? — Carin
Congratulations on earning your degree in software engineering! Starting your career is an exciting milestone, and your resume is the key to opening those first doors. While you might feel that your experience is limited, don’t worry; you’ve likely gained more relevant skills and accomplishments than you realize. Let’s break down the resume creation process step by step.
Start with a clear summary. Your resume should begin with a short, focused statement that highlights your technical strengths, career goals, and the type of roles you’re targeting. Think of this section as your elevator pitch. It’s your chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your resume. For example, you might say, “Recent software engineering graduate skilled in Python, JavaScript, and cloud computing, seeking a role in full-stack development.”
Highlight your internships. Internships are gold when it comes to showcasing professional experience. Instead of listing tasks, focus on what you’ve achieved. Employers want to see impact, so use action verbs and quantify your contributions where possible. For instance, instead of saying “Worked on testing,” try “Developed automated testing framework in Python, reducing manual QA time by 40%.” This approach not only demonstrates your technical skills but also shows your ability to deliver results in real-world situations.
Don’t forget academic and personal projects. If you’ve worked on a capstone project, participated in hackathons, contributed to open-source software, or built something independently, these experiences can be just as valuable as internships. They demonstrate initiative, creativity, and a passion for development that extends beyond the classroom. Include specific details about what you built, the technologies you used, and the challenges you overcame. And if you have a GitHub profile, portfolio website, or LinkedIn page, make sure to link them on your resume. Recruiters love seeing tangible proof of your skills.
Tailor your resume for each job. One of the most effective ways to stand out is to customize your resume for each application. Carefully review the job description and identify the key skills, tools, and technologies the employer is looking for. Then, adjust your resume to highlight those priorities. This extra effort not only helps your resume score favorably with applicant tracking systems but also shows employers you’ve done your homework.
Remember, your resume is a living document. It will evolve as you gain more experience and refine your career goals. For now, focus on showcasing your potential and the value you can bring to a team. Best of luck as you take this exciting next step in your career!
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