Perfect your CV - a guide for software engineers

Coding Chats episode 53 - John Crickett and Mary Fidler discuss the evolving landscape of job applications, focusing on common CV mistakes, the importance of showcasing skills and achievements, and the role of AI in recruitment. They explore the relevance of cover letters, salary transparency, and the current state of the job market, including signs of recovery. Mary emphasizes the significance of LinkedIn for job seekers and shares insights on adapting to the changing recruitment landscape, particularly for contractors.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Recruitment Challenges

03:37 Common CV Mistakes in Job Applications

09:19 The Evolution of Job Market Dynamics

14:56 Leveraging AI in Job Hunting

18:34 The Role of Cover Letters in Modern Applications

23:13 Understanding Salary Expectations and Market Trends

24:28 Market Recovery and Hiring Trends

28:01 The Impact of AI on Employment

28:53 Leveraging LinkedIn for Job Seekers

38:14 Navigating Recruitment in a Changing Market

40:52 The Rise of Project-Based Work

46:34 Final Tips for Job Seekers

LINKS

Mary's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-fidler/

Mary's Career Page https://trusttechrecruitment.zohorecruit.eu/jobs/Careers

John's Links:

John's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncrickett/

John’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johncrickett

John's Twitter: https://x.com/johncrickett

John's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/johncrickett.bsky.social

Check out John's software engineering related newsletters:

Coding Challenges: https://codingchallenges.substack.com/ which shares real-world project ideas that you can use to level up your coding skills.

Developing Skills: https://read.developingskills.fyi/ covering everything from system design to soft skills, helping them progress their career from junior to staff+ or for those that want onto a management track.

Takeaways

One page CVs are a common mistake.

Highlight achievements over duties in CVs.

AI tools are increasingly important for developers.

Cover letters are often unnecessary if CVs are strong.

Salary transparency can build trust between candidates and recruiters.

The job market is showing signs of recovery.

LinkedIn is essential for job seekers to stand out.

Contractors can provide cost-effective solutions for companies.

Personal branding on LinkedIn can lead to job opportunities.

Networking and asking for impact details can enhance CVs.