I took a webinar recently on decluttering and stopping the re-cluttering. And although this seminar was about physical clutter, it got me thinking about job searching and my résumé. I’m not gonna lie – although I help other people all the time with their CVs and résumés – my CV is a cluttered mess. And it needs desperate attention.
So as I work on mine, I’m going to share some tips that might help others as they hone their résumés, too.
Decide between a résumé and a CV (curriculum vitae)
A resume focuses on your job history and skills, whereas a CV emphasizes your personal accomplishments. Both documents are essential, but they serve different purposes. Your resume is designed to get you noticed for a specific type of position where you can apply your skills as an entry-level sales job. In contrast, a CV shows employers and recruiters details about your life outside of work, such as previous volunteer activities and sports teams.
from TheHRDigest.com
Most of us in tech will want to use a résumé rather than a CV, although a hybrid may be considered.
For example, I still want to include a list of professional speaking engagements where I have been on stage. For a marketing and community position this is important, although not usually included in a traditional résumé.
Functional résumé vs. chronological résumé
A functional résumé and a chronological résumé serve different purposes depending on you background and career goals. A functional résumé emphasizes skills and competencies rather than work history, making it ideal for individuals with gaps in employment, career changers, or those with diverse but non-linear experiences. It groups qualifications under skill categories, helping highlight what you, the candidate, can do.
In contrast, a chronological résumé lists work experience in reverse chronological order, showcasing a clear employment timeline and career progression. This format is usually favored by most employers and is best suited for candidates with a steady, relevant work history in the same field. While the functional résumé focuses on what you can do, the chronological résumé highlights where and when you’ve done it.
You might choose a functional résumé over a chronological one if you want to shift the focus away from your work history and emphasize your skills and achievements instead. By organizing your résumé around what you can do rather than when and where you did it, a functional format allows you to present yourself in a stronger light if your job history doesn’t tell the full story of your qualifications.
To show your age or not to?
Typically, you should not include your age on a résumé. Age is considered personal information and isn’t relevant to your qualifications or ability to perform a job. Including it can unintentionally open the door to age discrimination, whether you’re younger or older. Instead, focus on your skills, experience, and accomplishments.
This means you should avoid including graduation dates if you’re concerned about age bias—what matters most to employers is what you bring to the table, not how old you are.
Should you list out hobbies?
Listing hobbies on a résumé is optional and depends on the job you’re applying for. In general, you should only include hobbies if they are relevant to the position or help show skills that are transferable or desirable in the workplace—like leadership, creativity, teamwork, or dedication. For example, if you’re applying for a job in marketing, a hobby like managing a personal blog or creating social media content could be a plus. On the other hand, if your hobbies aren’t related to the job or don’t add value to your application, it’s best to leave them off and use the space for more impactful content like achievements or skills.
Listing some hobbies can share more information that you may want to. For example, listing something like being a scout leader might share that you have parenting responsibilities, which may make you seem less desirable (especially for women), as unconscious biases expect mothers to spend more time with family than at work.
What should you show in your tech stack?
Many times I have seen people list tech that is too basic to include on their résumé for the job they’re seeking. Including things like email, Google sheets, and Slack in today’s market are already expected of applicants and appear as résumé padding. When you list your tech stack on your résumé, take a careful look at each on your list to evaluate if it needs to be there. When in doubt, ask a friend in the industry.
How about a portfolio?
For someone in the technology industry, a strong portfolio should showcase both technical skills and the impact of your work. Here’s what to include:
- Projects – Highlight 3–5 of your best or most relevant projects. Include brief descriptions, your role, the technologies used, and outcomes or results (e.g., improved performance, user growth, bug fixes, etc.).
- For developers, include Code Samples – Share links to GitHub or similar platforms where employers can see clean, well-documented code. Make sure it’s organized and shows your understanding of best practices.
- Case Studies – For more complex projects, write short case studies that outline the problem, your approach, tools used, and the result.
- Technical Skills – For developers, clearly list programming languages, frameworks, tools, and platforms you’re proficient in. For marketers, list the technology skills you have in media production and scheduling.
- Live Demos or Screenshots – If possible, provide links to live demos or include screenshots to make your work tangible—especially helpful for front-end or UX/UI roles and marketing.
- Resume & Contact Info – Include a downloadable résumé and a clear way for potential employers to contact you.
- Certifications or Awards – Optional, but helpful if they’re relevant to the job (like AWS certification, hackathon wins, etc.).
The key is to show not just what you can build, but how you think, collaborate, and solve problems—that’s what really stands out. Want help building or reviewing a portfolio?
Should you include a photo on your résumé?
While your photo is included in your social channels (including LinkedIn), it’s not necessary to include on a résumé, and may actually count against you if the reviewer has any conscious or unconscious biases.
When in doubt, hire help for your résumé
Finding your next job is important, so if you’re not confident in your résumé-building skills, spending some money up front to stand out in a sea of applicants is money well-spent.
Best wishes
Most of all, best wishes in your pursuit of your next great position. Wishing you an easy time and a great fit for the best salary. Your happiness and health deserve it.
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