Projects
Projects are a strong opportunity to differntiate yourself, but should only be included under certain circumstances. This section will help you identify the projects that will strengthen your resume.
Why Include Projects
Including projects on your resume can be a great way to demonstrate skills and interests that may not have been apparent in your work experience. By showcasing projects you've worked on, you can show potential employers that you are committed to your field and have a passion for learning and growing as a professional. This can help you stand out from other candidates and show that you are more than just a list of job titles and responsibilities.
Which Projects to Include
When deciding which projects to include on your resume, it's important to choose ones that are relevant to the job you're applying for. For example, if you are a software engineer, you might include open source libraries you've contributed to or apps you've built in your spare time. These projects will show potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for.
Designers can also benefit from including projects on their resume. Your portfolio can be a great way to show off your work and prototypes you've created. This will give potential employers a sense of your style and abilities, and can help you stand out from other candidates.
When Not to Include Projects
There may be times when it's not a good idea to include projects on your resume. For example, if a project isn't relevant to the job you're applying for, it's probably best to leave it off your resume. This will help keep your resume focused and relevant to the position you're applying for.
Additionally, if your resume is already long, you may want to prioritize the most important and relevant projects and leave off lower value ones. This will help keep your resume concise and focused, and make it more likely that potential employers will read through the entire document.
In general, it's a good idea to include projects that showcase your skills and interests in your field, but be selective and only include the most relevant and impressive ones.
Example
As a software engineer, Jane has worked on several projects in her spare time that demonstrate her skills and interests. She decides to include the following projects on her resume:
- A mobile app she built to help people track their fitness goals
- Contributions she made to an open source library for machine learning
- A blog she writes about the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence
These projects showcase Jane's skills in mobile app development, machine learning, and her interest in AI. They also demonstrate her commitment to her field and her ability to learn and apply new technologies.
Jane decides not to include a personal website she built for a friend's small business, as it isn't relevant to her job applications and doesn't demonstrate any of the skills she's looking to highlight.
By carefully selecting the projects she includes on her resume, Jane is able to showcase her skills and interests in a way that will impress potential employers and help her stand out from other candidates.