Programming Entry Level: beginner resume

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by DevOps Fundamental

Understanding Beginner Resumes for Beginners

Hey everyone! So you’ve started learning to code – awesome! Now you’re probably thinking, “Okay, I know some stuff, but how do I actually get a job?” That’s where the resume comes in. A resume is your first impression, your chance to show potential employers what you can do. It can feel daunting, especially when you’re just starting out, but don’t worry! This post will break down everything you need to know about creating a beginner-friendly resume that will help you land interviews.

2. Understanding “Beginner Resume”

Think of your resume like a highlight reel of your skills and experiences. It’s not about listing everything you’ve ever done, but about showcasing the things that make you a good fit for a junior developer role.

Imagine you’re building with LEGOs. You wouldn’t show someone every brick you own, right? You’d show them the cool model you built! Your resume is that cool model.

For a beginner, this means focusing on projects, skills, and learning experiences – even if they aren’t formal work experiences. It’s about demonstrating your potential and your willingness to learn.

A good beginner resume focuses on what you can do, not what you haven’t done. Don’t worry about lacking years of professional experience; everyone starts somewhere!

Here’s a simple breakdown of the key sections:

• Contact Information: Your name, email, phone number, and (optionally) a link to your GitHub profile or portfolio.
• Summary/Objective (Optional): A short sentence or two about your goals and skills. For beginners, an objective is often better – stating what kind of role you’re looking for.
• Skills: A list of the programming languages, tools, and technologies you know.
• Projects: This is the most important section for beginners! Showcase the projects you’ve built, even small ones.
• Education: Your degree (if you have one) or any relevant coursework.
• Experience (Optional): If you have relevant work experience (even if it’s not directly programming-related), include it.

3. Basic Code Example

Let’s look at a simple example of how to structure the “Skills” section. We’ll use a list in Python to represent the skills. This isn’t actual code for a resume, but it helps illustrate how to organize information.

skills = [
    "Python",
    "JavaScript",
    "HTML",
    "CSS",
    "Git",
    "GitHub",
    "Problem Solving",
    "Data Structures",
    "Algorithms"
]

print(skills)

Now explain:

1. skills = [...] creates a list named skills.
2. Each item inside the square brackets ("Python", "JavaScript", etc.) is a skill.
3. print(skills) would display the list of skills.

On your resume, you wouldn’t print the list like this, of course! You’d format it neatly, perhaps as bullet points:

• Python
• JavaScript
• HTML
• CSS
• Git
• GitHub
• Problem Solving
• Data Structures
• Algorithms

4. Common Mistakes or Misunderstandings

Let’s look at some common mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Incorrect: Listing skills you don’t actually have.

skills = [
    "Python",
    "JavaScript",
    "React", # I've only watched a tutorial on React...

    "Node.js" # I haven't even started Node.js!

]

Corrected: Be honest about your skill level. It’s better to list fewer skills you’re confident in.

skills = [
    "Python",
    "JavaScript",
    "HTML",
    "CSS",
    "Git",
    "GitHub"
]

Incorrect: Vague project descriptions.

Project: Website

Corrected: Describe what the project does and what technologies you used.

Personal Portfolio Website: A single-page website built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to showcase my projects and skills. Hosted on GitHub Pages.

Incorrect: Focusing on responsibilities instead of accomplishments.

Experience: Tutored students in math.  Responsible for helping students with homework.

Corrected: Highlight what you achieved.

Experience: Tutored students in math.  Helped students improve their grades by an average of 10%.

5. Real-World Use Case

Let’s say you’ve built a simple to-do list application using JavaScript. Here’s how you might describe it on your resume:

To-Do List Application (JavaScript, HTML, CSS)

• Developed a functional to-do list application allowing users to add, delete, and mark tasks as complete.
• Implemented features using JavaScript DOM manipulation to dynamically update the user interface.
• Utilized HTML and CSS for structuring and styling the application.
• Project code available on GitHub: [link to your GitHub repo]

This description is clear, concise, and highlights the skills you used. It also provides a link to your code, which is a huge plus!

6. Practice Ideas

Here are a few project ideas to build up your resume:

1. Simple Calculator: Build a basic calculator using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
2. Number Guessing Game: Create a number guessing game in Python.
3. Basic Blog: Design a simple blog layout using HTML and CSS.
4. Temperature Converter: Build a temperature converter (Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa) using JavaScript.
5. Rock, Paper, Scissors: Implement the classic game in Python or JavaScript.

7. Summary

Creating a beginner resume is all about showcasing your potential and your willingness to learn. Focus on your projects, be honest about your skills, and highlight what you’ve achieved. Don’t be afraid to start small – every project is a step in the right direction.

Remember, your first resume won’t be perfect, and that’s okay! Keep learning, keep building, and keep improving.

Next steps? Consider exploring online resources for resume templates and practicing your interviewing skills. Good luck, and happy coding!

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by DevOps Fundamental