Breaking into the technology field is not always easy, especially for women. In fact, Deloitte Insights suggests women only make up around 33% of the industry’s workforce. At Virtusa, we’re committed to providing women with the tools they need to stand out and pursue careers in tech.

Girls Who Code, an international non-profit organization that’s “on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does,” recently hosted a Virtual Resume Review event and invited Virtusa to be a part of the session.

During the event, experts provide resume guidance and feedback for women students to empower them to kickstart their careers in the tech industry.

Members of Virtusa’s human resources (HR) team, including Laurie Jewett Kennedy, Senior Director, HR; Shalini Srivastava, Manager, HR; Rajani Kurukkal, Senior Manager, HR; Anu Bhalla, Lead Consultant, HR, and Bhavana Gour, Lead Consultant, HR participated in the event.

Here are the recommendations that will help your resume stand out among the pile and lead to an interview in tech.

1. Emphasize your skills and passion

It’s not always enough to have the skills required to do the job; a lot of companies are also looking for the drive and determination of students who want to learn, grow, and move up in the organization."Laurie Jewett Kennedy"emphasized the importance of showing skills and passion in a resume, which can help a candidate stand out and make a lasting impression. Highlighting your technical abilities and genuine enthusiasm for making a difference in technology, which can land you the opportunity to interview for a role.

2. Tailor your resume for tech

Demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the field is especially important in tech. "Shalini Srivastava" advises candidates to tailor their resumes for the tech industry. You can do this by focusing on relevant tech projects, coding languages, and problem-solving experiences that align with the specific job requirements you’re applying for. Adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies are also highly sought after qualities to highlight when looking for a job in tech.

3. Craft a standout cover letter

While some jobs don’t require a cover letter, this document gives you another opportunity to stand out and highlight your skills. Personalization to the role and the company is key when writing a solid cover letter, expresses "Rajani Kurukkal." Doing so will demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and role. A compelling cover letter can pique the interest of hiring managers and pave the way for interviews.

4. Build a solid online presence

Social media is everywhere today, and it’s something that can help or hurt you in the job market. "Anu Bhalla" believes cultivating a strong online presence is a great way to get noticed. You should ensure your LinkedIn profile is current and highlights your achievements and extracurricular activities. A positive online presence attracts recruiters and fosters credibility and authenticity for the candidate.

5. Enhance your resume tone, format, and layout

Resumes often get skimmed either by humans or tools, including some new artificial intelligence (AI) ones. Recruiters often seek a straightforward resume format to comprehend and extract information from. "Bhavana Gour" also states that having a specific purpose and sticking with a professional tone will enhance your resume.

Girls Who Code & Virtusa: Partnering to close the gender gap in tech

One of the best ways to help close the gender gap in tech is to empower the next generation of women to get into the field. Events like the Virtual Resume Review, hosted by Girls Who Code, aim to do just that, and we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this initiative and foster an inclusive and diverse future for the world of technology.

Learn more about Girls Who Code and how your organization can help their mission here.

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