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Introduction
My name is Chinedu Okonkwo, and I have worked as a software engineer at notable Nigerian e-commerce companies, Jumia and Konga, before joining Interswitch.
Displayed above is the resume that facilitated my move to Interswitch with an impressive ₦200,000,000 offer. I am excited to share this resume, which has served as a cornerstone for candidates aiming for software engineering roles.
Before delving into the effective resume strategies that worked for me, let’s address some common concerns.
Yes, I Worked at Jumia and Konga.
Indeed, these experiences are highlighted on my resume. Before Konga, I just had Jumia, and before Jumia, it was just a humble resume adorned with side projects.
Experience certainly aids, but it's not just about what you've done; it's about how you present it. For those just starting, the key to standing out is a well-structured, clean-cut resume.
What About Referrals and Connections?
It's commonly perceived that referrals are a necessity for landing a job, especially in big tech companies. While referrals can indeed facilitate the process, they are treated much the same as cold applications in many large firms.
I secured my position at Interswitch without any referrals—just a straightforward application.
If this seems unlikely, remember that approximately 40% of all jobs are found through referrals, which means a significant 60% are secured without them. Cold applications are effective—it’s all about how well you present yourself through your resume..
9 Ways to Improve Your Resume
For anyone who has faced rejection or is struggling with their job applications, here are the nine most common resume writing mistakes I've identified from both personal experience and while interviewing engineering candidates:
Don't Repeat Yourself: If you've listed coding in Java, don't add several more bullets about Java. Use the space to highlight different skills or experiences.
Highlight Teamwork: My experience working with product managers and UX designers at Jumia was crucial in securing my role at Interswitch. Always highlight your ability to work with cross-functional teams.
Focus on Impact: Make it clear why your contributions were important. Describing the impact of your work shows that you understand the bigger picture—how your efforts benefit the end user or the business.
Pay Attention to Format: A cluttered or poorly formatted resume is off-putting. It's essential that your resume is easy to read, so use single line bullet points with relaxed margins to make it more inviting.
Value Experience Over Completion: It’s fine to include projects that are in progress or unfinished. What matters is your understanding of the subject, not necessarily its completion. Leading a project halfway still counts.
Use Recognizable Job Titles: Simplify your job titles. For instance, 'Software Engineer' might be more universally recognized than 'Front-end UX Software Engineer I'. Avoid company-specific titles that may not be understood outside your current workplace.
Include Technical Terminology: Demonstrate your technical proficiency by including terms related to engineering like unit tests, deployments, version control, JIRA, latency, databases, API calls, and distributed systems.
Keep It Simple: Your resume should be quick to scan. The simpler it is, the easier it is for recruiters to read and remember. A cluttered resume can be less impressive.
Prioritize Important Experience: Not all experiences need to be on your resume. Focus on the ones that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Space is limited—make every line count.
Closing Thoughts
Securing an interview often comes down to a simple equation: resume quality multiplied by the number of applications equals total interviews.
Applying with a poorly crafted resume shouldn't give high hopes for responses. Conversely, a well-prepared resume will likely lead to numerous interview opportunities.
Invest time and effort into enhancing your resume before sending out applications to maximize your chances of success.
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