Let’s be real — crafting a software engineer CV can feel like trying to dodge a blue shell in Mario Kart. You’re cruising along, thinking you’re in the lead, when out of nowhere: BOOM! Rejection. The problem? Your CV didn’t make it past the dreaded Applicant Tracking System (ATS), or maybe it just didn’t scream “I’m the right dev for this job!” to the recruiter.
In 2024, the job market is more competitive than ever, so let’s talk about how to tailor your CV to avoid getting shelled and make sure you’re hitting all the right notes.
1. Know Your Audience (a.k.a. Read the Job Description!)
Think of the job description as the track map in Mario Kart. You wouldn’t pick Rainbow Road without knowing what you’re up against, right? The same goes for your CV.
Tailor your CV for each job you apply to. Yes, it’s extra work, but it’s worth it. Highlight the skills and tools mentioned in the job ad. If they’re looking for someone with experience in React, TypeScript, and GraphQL, make sure those stand out on your CV.
Hot Skills in 2024 (Make Sure You Mention These If You’ve Got ‘Em):
Frontend: React, Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
Backend: Node.js, Go (Golang), Python (especially FastAPI), Ruby on Rails
DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, Terraform
AI/ML: TensorFlow, PyTorch, LangChain, Pinecone
Data: SQL, NoSQL (MongoDB, DynamoDB), Apache Kafka
Security: OAuth, JWT, OWASP best practices
If you’ve worked with these tools or frameworks, shout about it. If you haven’t, consider learning them. These are what’s hot right now in the engineering world.
2. Keywords Are Your Power-Ups
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are like Lakitu — always hovering over your application to see if it crashes. Keywords are the power-ups that help you stay in the race.
For example:
If the job description mentions CI/CD pipelines, make sure your CV does too.
If they want someone with event-driven architecture experience, mention Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ if you’ve used them.
Just don’t overdo it. Cramming your CV with buzzwords can make it look spammy. Use them naturally within your experience descriptions.
3. Showcase Your Impact (Not Just Your Job Duties)
Recruiters don’t care that you wrote some code or fixed some bugs. They want to know what impact you made. Think of it as showing your race highlights, not just listing the laps you ran.
Bad:
Developed backend services in Go.
Good:
Developed scalable backend services in Go, reducing API response times by 35% and improving system uptime by 20%.
Bad:
Built a React app for internal use.
Good:
Built a React app that streamlined internal workflows, reducing task completion time by 40% and increasing team productivity.
Focus on results and impact. Numbers are your friend — use them to tell your story.
4. Keep It Simple, Clean, and Readable (No Rainbow Road Fonts)
Your CV should be easy to read. No one wants to squint at your CV like they’re trying to spot hidden shortcuts on Rainbow Road.
Formatting Tips:
Use a clean, modern font (e.g., Calibri, Arial, or Roboto).
Stick to two pages max (unless you’re applying for a senior role with extensive experience).
Use bullet points to make your experience easy to skim.
Avoid walls of text. Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV before deciding if it’s worth a deeper look.
5. Side Projects and GitHub Repos Are Your Secret Weapons
Side projects are like Mushrooms in Mario Kart — they give you a speed boost past other candidates.
Got a cool side project?
Mention it!
Link your GitHub.
Bonus points if your project uses in-demand tech like Next.js, Docker, or AI/ML tools.
Recruiters love seeing evidence of passion and initiative. It shows you’re not just clocking in and out — you actually love what you do.
6. Don’t Forget Your Soft Skills (They’re More Important Than You Think)
Sure, you’re a coding wizard, but can you work well in a team? Can you communicate effectively? Can you handle feedback without throwing a blue shell tantrum?
These are the soft skills that companies care about:
Communication
Collaboration
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Make sure to mention these in your CV, especially if you have examples to back them up.
7. Tailor Your CV, but Don’t Lose Yourself
Tailoring your CV doesn’t mean losing your personality. If you’re passionate about a particular tech stack, say so. If you’re proud of a side project, highlight it. Just make sure you’re presenting the best version of yourself that aligns with the job requirements.
Remember, the goal is to cross the finish line ahead of the competition — not just participate in the race.
With these tips, you’re ready to avoid the blue shell of rejection and land your next software engineering role. Good luck, and may your CV always be in the lead!
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