Web Developer Resume With No Experience: Resumes That Got Me Hired

"Hey, I'm Dorian, a self-taught programmer. Today, I'm sharing the evolution of my resume from my first job application to the one that landed me my second job as a web developer, despite having no formal tech education or experience."

Starting Point: The First Resume

My initial resume was heavy on buzzwords and light on actual experience. With no tech education or professional experience to list, I filled it with as much relevant information as I could muster, from freelance projects to volunteer work. However, it lacked specificity and achievements, relying more on fluff than substance.

Leveraging Online Resources for Improvement

I turned to online communities for advice on how to enhance my resume. The CS Career Questions subreddit and their Discord channel proved invaluable. They offered specific feedback and guidance that significantly improved my resume's quality. This feedback helped me transition my resume from a broad overview of skills to a focused showcase of achievements and relevant experience.

The Resume That Opened Doors

After incorporating feedback, my revised resume started getting attention. It balanced technical skills with my self-taught journey, highlighting specific projects and the impact of my work. This version was more successful in getting calls for interviews and eventually landed me my second job.

LaTeX Resume Template

For the structure and design of my resume, I used a LaTeX template, which provided a professional layout and was recommended by many in the tech community. Despite the learning curve associated with LaTeX, the template allowed for customization and a clean presentation of my skills and experience.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Developers

  1. Start Where You Are: Use whatever experience you have, whether it's freelance work, personal projects, or volunteer experience.
  2. Seek Feedback: Online communities can provide valuable insights and advice on improving your resume.
  3. Focus on Achievements: Instead of listing tasks, highlight what you achieved with your projects.
  4. Consider Presentation: How your resume is laid out matters. A clean, professional format can make a big difference.

"In the journey to becoming a self-taught developer, your resume is a vital tool in opening doors to opportunities. Don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted resume, even if you're starting with little to no experience in the field."

"Thanks for watching! If you found this video helpful, please like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below. For more tips on learning to code and breaking into the tech industry, stay tuned. I'll see you in the next video!"