How to write the perfect Technical CV
Creating the perfect technical CV is about clearly communicating your technical expertise, experience, and achievements in a way that aligns with the role you're applying for. Technical recruiters and hiring managers want to see not just what you've done, but how well you’ve done it, and what technologies you used.
Here’s a step by step guide to writing a standout technical CV:
1. Start with a Strong Personal Statement (Professional Summary)
Write 3–4 lines summarizing your technical background, key skills, and career goals. Make it targeted and specific.
Example:
Detail-oriented software engineer with 5+ years of experience in full stack web development using JavaScript, React, Node.js, and Python. Proven track record of delivering scalable applications and optimizing system performance. Passionate about clean code, DevOps, and automation.
2. Include a ‘Core Skills’ or ‘Technical Skills’ Section
This section should come right after your summary and list your technical competencies. Group them by type or relevance.
Example:
🛠 Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java, C#
🌐 Frameworks & Libraries: React, Node.js, Django, .NET Core
💾 Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL
⚙️ DevOps & Tools: Docker, Jenkins, Git, Kubernetes, AWS
🧪 Testing: Jest, PyTest, Selenium
📈 Other: Agile/Scrum, CI/CD, REST APIs, GraphQL
Keep it easy to scan. Recruiters often look here first!
3. Highlight Technical Experience (Focus on Achievements)
For each job, use bullet points to show:
What you built or worked on
What tools, languages, and methods you used
What impact your work had (performance, revenue, user engagement, etc.)
Structure:
Job Title – Company Name, Location
Dates of Employment (Month/Year – Month/Year)Built a RESTful API with Node.js and MongoDB, reducing server response times by 35%
Led migration of legacy system to cloud-based architecture (AWS), improving scalability
Implemented CI/CD pipeline using GitHub Actions, cutting deployment time from hours to minutes
Collaborated with front-end and UX teams to launch a React-based dashboard used by 5K+ users/month
Use action verbs (developed, designed, implemented, optimized) and quantify impact wherever possible.
4. Include Personal or Open Source Projects (If Relevant)
Especially useful if you're early in your career or transitioning into tech.
Example:
Open Source Contributor – [GitHub Link]
Contributed to popular Python web framework, submitting bug fixes and improving documentation
Built a CLI tool in Go for automating API testing; 150+ stars on GitHub
5. Education & Certifications
If you’re experienced, keep this section brief. If you’re a recent grad or changing careers, put more emphasis here.
Include:
Degree(s) and Institution
Graduation year
Any relevant certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Developer, Google Professional Cloud Architect, CompTIA Security+)
6. Optional: Add Sections for
Awards & Achievements (e.g., “Hackathon Winner 2024”)
Publications (if technical writing or research is relevant)
Conferences / Talks
Languages (programming or spoken, if applicable)
7. Keep It Clean and Professional
Length: 1 page (early career), 2 pages max (senior roles)
Font: Clean and readable (e.g., Calibri, Helvetica, Arial)
Format: Consistent spacing, bold job titles, and clear section headings
File type: PDF is preferred unless specified otherwise
Recruiter Tips
Tailor your CV to the job: Match keywords from the job description
Be honest: Don’t list tools you’ve only briefly touched
Link to your work: GitHub, portfolio, LinkedIn, personal site
Avoid jargon overload: Be specific, not buzzword-heavy
Proofread: Typos or sloppy formatting are deal-breakers
Example Technical CV Summary (for Mid-Level Developer)
Full-stack developer with 6+ years of experience building scalable web apps using React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. Deep understanding of RESTful architecture, cloud infrastructure (AWS), and CI/CD best practices. Adept at translating complex business requirements into clean, efficient code. Seeking to join a high-performing engineering team focused on innovation and user experience.