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Full Stack Developer Resume Guide

TRANSCRIPT

I’ve read hundreds of developer resumes, and most make the same five mistakes. We can fix them to prevent you from getting autorejected. The good news is, we can address these in less than 15 minutes.

I’ll show you the exact template for full-stack developers that passes the ATS. I’ll show you how to tailor your resume without needing to rewrite it every time. We’ll run through the section of the resume that developers neglect but every hiring manager looks at. And lastly, we’ll run through the secret about the skills section that no one’s telling you.

First up: structure. Your resume isn’t documentationโ€”it’s a dashboard for your career. Think about it: as a hiring manager, if I’m reading your resume, I don’t care that you can use React. I care what changed. What was the impact because you used it?

Starting at the top, let’s look at the header first: just your name and a professional email address. You can also add your LinkedIn profile if you’re activeโ€”use the hyperlink, not the raw URL. Same with your GitHubโ€”put your handle here, but only if it’s active.

Next: skills section. This isn’t your grocery list. Be strategic to show off your skill set. List your languagesโ€”for example, JavaScript, TypeScript, Pythonโ€”in the order you’re most comfortable with them, and also in line with the job description.

Pro tip: If you list a skill on your resume, be ready to talk about it in an interview.

Moving on: experience. This is where most developers fail. We’re not listing tasksโ€”we’re listing impact. Hereโ€™s the magic formula: Accomplished X by using Y technology to achieve Z.

Compare these two examples:

Weak: “Built front-end components with React.”

Strong: “Cut client-side render time by 40% using React Suspense for lazy-loaded flows.”

Projects: Decide whether to include them. If you’re new to the industry, projects are perfect to showcase your skill setโ€”but be strategic. Only include projects relevant to the job and where you can explain decisions. Use the same magic formula: X, Y, Z.

Tailoring: Yes, tailor your resume to every job, but noโ€”you donโ€™t need 50 versions. Scan the job description for keywords, then prioritize your experience and skill sets to match. If a particular database is buried, move it to the top. This can be done manually or with AI tools like Enhancv.

Pro move: If applying to a React shop, move all your React experience to the top. Put it above that Java internship from college. Chronological order matters less than relevance.

Mistakes that kill resumes:

Skills without proof. “Time management” isnโ€™t a skill. Show measurable outcomes.

Ship three major features in a two-week sprint.

Block paragraphs. HR has the attention span of a goldfish on espressoโ€”itโ€™s bullet points or rejection.

Ancient tech. Listing jQuery like it’s 2010? Either remove it or add context like โ€œlegacy system maintenance.โ€

Vague metrics. Donโ€™t say โ€œimprove performanceโ€โ€”say, โ€œReduce API latency from 1200 ms to 200 ms.โ€

Pro tip for senior engineers: Your resume shouldnโ€™t just talk about codeโ€”it should talk about systems. For example: โ€œScaled our service from 1,000 to 500,000 users via Redis cachingโ€ or โ€œReduced AWS costs by 30% by migrating EC2 to Lumber.โ€

This is your billboardโ€”if youโ€™ve led technical decisions, mentored junior devs, contributed to open source, or spoken at conferences, show it. Startups want builders. Enterprises want leaders.

Summary:

Skills are your stack highlight reel.

Bullets show problems solved, not tasks completed.

Tailor your CV with job description keywordsโ€”but keep it honest.

For senior devs, show architecture impact.

This approach will tailor your resume for each role in minutes, optimize for ATS with proven templates, and highlight the key metrics recruiters want to see. Check them out to streamline your processes.

Read the full guide on Enhancv.com

If you’re looking for any coaching support, contact me at nate@coachingbynate.com
(I will typically reply within 24 hours)

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