As a Platform Engineer, your skills allow you to build, maintain, and fine-tune data platforms that can hold up under heavy traffic and demand. Your CV should show this. It has to feel as sturdy and reliable as the best platform you've ever built. Why? Because a solid CV can build a solid career.
The career path of a Platform Engineer often starts with a solid background in software development or systems architecture. Over time, you might grow into managing larger systems, possibly guiding an entire team. Your CV should reflect this journey. Show the past, sure, but also guide the reader toward the future you're aiming for.
In 2023 and 2024, Platform Engineers are expected to deal with larger data sets, more complex systems, and increased security demands. Your CV should show you're ready for this. Not just by listing past jobs, but by showing how you've grown and learned.
Now, let's clear up some chatter you might have heard about CVs and resumes. In the world of Platform Engineering, they're the same thing. They're both a simple 1-2 page doc that showcases your skills and experience. So, call it a CV, call it a resume, it doesn't matter. What does matter is making sure it's the best it can be.
In this article, we're here to help you do just that. In the coming sections, all gleaned from my hiring manager experience, we’ll share enticing CV examples and samples, tips on the stand-out skills to highlight, and innovative 2024-ready CV templates. As a Platform Engineer, you understand the importance of structure and good design. Let's make sure your CV shows it.
As a Platform Engineer, your role sits at the intersection of software and systems engineering to develop software platforms and frameworks that support applications. In today's digitized world, companies are increasingly reliant on Platform Engineers to ensure their software runs smoothly. When crafting your CV, consider that the demand for this role has been driven by the widespread adoption of cloud technologies and the increasing complexity of software applications. The CV should speak to your ability to embrace these trends to manage and improve platforms.
It's essential to detail the platforms you've managed in previous roles. This allows potential employers to gauge the scale of your experience and your familiarity with popular platforms. Remember to specify the platform's purpose and the outcome of your management on the applications running on it.
You should outline the technical skills you've garnered and the certifications you've achieved. This role often demands expertise in cloud technologies, software development, automation, and scripting languages. For instance, a certification like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer can be a concrete testament to your capability.
As a DevOps Platform Engineer, it's all about improving communication and collaboration between software developers and IT professionals. This role is unique and important in today's tech industry because you're not just coding - you're part of a workflow that ensures software functions smoothly from development to deployment. You essentially bridge the gap between code and operation. Recently, companies are increasingly adopting DevOps practices to facilitate continuous integration and delivery, and speed up their software production. When you're crafting your CV, it's important to reflect your understanding and experience of this culture of collaboration, as well as the technical skills that go with it.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) are central to the role of a DevOps Platform Engineer. Therefore, ensure your CV reflects your hands-on experience designing, implementing, and managing CI/CD pipelines. Discuss specific projects you’ve worked on that highlight this skill.
In the tech realm, Platform Engineers are the sturdy keystones holding a company’s digital framework together. Employers value the tricky blend of creativity and accuracy. Key skills such as data management, educating clients, and flexing your coding muscles should cast a glow on your CV. Be sure to review the job description with a keen eye and pluck out the skills relevant to the position.
Jobseekers, your CV acts like a soft handshake, making the first impression for you. Ensure that it gets past the gatekeepers (Applicant Tracking Systems) by sculpting your skills section or work experience with matching words from the job description. For example, under your work experience, you might write, “Used Python to streamline server management, improving system efficiency by 30%.”
Think of your CV as a map and your skills as markers. The clearer the path, the easier it is for recruiters to trace your journey, highlighting your aptitude.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Platform Engineer job descriptions and CVs. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Your CV is your passport to mint the code of success in a Platform Engineering career. This role is about building and managing computing platforms. So, pick action verbs that hint at the same. Powerful words peppered smartly can help you win that much-coveted interview.
Consider verbs like 'designed', 'implemented', 'optimized', 'coordinated', or 'managed'. They showcase your hands-on approach and your knack at steering projects effectively. For instance, instead of stating 'involved in system re-design', upgrade it to: 'Designed and revamped the Legacy system to amplify efficiency'. Another example could be: 'Coordinated the implementation of Agile processes resulting in quicker project delivery.'
Each action verb you choose will serve as a magnet, pulling the hiring manager's focus towards your strengths. Remember, your CV is not just a document. It's a story of your professional journey, make it an interesting read. Each word counts. Choose them wisely.
For more related action verbs, visit Engineering Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective CV action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
