Information Technology (IT) CV Example & Writing Guide

To thrive in the vast field of Information Technology, you’ll need an IT CV that best portrays your professional potential. We know: you’re a busy professional who wants to kickstart your career journey as soon as possible. 

Cvapp.nz is here to help you and get you on track – and with our comprehensive CV guides and CV examples for over 30 professions, we have a ton of powerful resources to help you land your next job! 

How to write an effective IT CV

In the Information Technology industry, IT professionals undertake a variety of roles, including software and hardware development, testing, debugging, and system management.

From coding and analysis to IT system support, their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at enhancing and maintaining software programs and systems.

Before you begin crafting your IT CV, you’ll need to know what elements it has to contain. Your IT CV will need the following:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (also known as a professional or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Moreover, an outstanding IT CV should: 

• Be tailored to each job role and individual company or employer, adopting a tone and style that aligns with the company
• Project a polished and professional image through a clean and easily readable layout and design
• Have optimised CV content to bypass ATS algorithms that scan and categorise CVs

Learn more about how to write a successful CV

Choosing the right CV format for an IT CV

We typically recommend the standard reverse chronological format for IT CVs, since it’s generally preferred by both IT recruiters and ATS systems. This format showcases your employment history and focuses on the past 10 years of experience. However, there are other formatting options available. 

The functional CV format is often used for more technical and specialised roles, emphasising specific skills and strengths rather than chronological work history. The combination format combines elements from both the reverse chronological CV and functional CV formats, offering flexibility for different situations. 

The hybrid format is suitable for newcomers or seasoned professionals seeking a transition. Ultimately, the best format for you should be the format that best suits your needs!

Include your contact information

Including accurate, up-to-date contact information on your IT CV is important, since it’s often the only way potential employers can reach out! 

For this reason, be sure to include your: 

• Full name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Location
• Relevant websites

How to craft an impressive IT CV summary

The summary section of your IT CV provides an opportunity to give a brief overview of your professional background. In 3-4 sentences, you can introduce your professional persona and encapsulate your career trajectory. 

We recommend focusing on one or two significant achievements and describing them in brief detail. Additionally, the final sentence can serve as a teaser for further discussion in an interview or highlight your IT philosophy that aligns with the target company's needs. 

The most effective IT CV summaries address the question, "Why should I hire you?" by showcasing your ability to seamlessly fit into the role and address specific pain points within the organisation. 

For extra inspiration, check out our software developer CV example, IT manager CV example, and programmer CV example to get started!

Highlighting your work experience: Your career directory

In the employment history section of your information technology CV, you will do more than list your job responsibilities. Think in terms of successful outcomes and how you can make the most of them. Remember that being part of a team that achieved success shows that you’re a good collaborator! For example:

• Led a team of 80 employees and increased local software sales by 45%
• Successfully streamlined IT processes, resulting in a 25% increase in company efficiency
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by implementing clear financial guidance tools, leading to a 15% increase in customer conversions

If you are a niche technical specialist and are using the functional CV format, this section will briefly list your jobs and perhaps a line or two job description.

Below you will find an adaptable employment history CV example:

How to write an IT CV with no experience

When crafting an IT CV without direct industry experience, it's best to highlight any transferable skills that you already possess and your passion for IT and technology. Try your best to showcase skills from prior roles applicable to IT, like problem-solving and attention to detail. You can also highlight your personal interest in technology through non-professional endeavours, including coding club involvement, online tech forum participation, and IT course or certification completion. 

The best skills to include on an IT CV

In the skills section of your CV, we recommend focusing on 4-7 skills that closely match the requirements outlined in the job description. 

By aligning your skills with what the prospective employer is seeking, you increase your chances of standing out as a strong candidate. Remember that hiring managers not only assess whether you possess the required skills, but also which skills you prioritise in highlighting. Technical skills, such as coding languages (including Python or Java) are important skills for software developers. 

You might also like to list any systems administration skills, DevOps skills, database management skills or cloud services skills in this section. Additionally, you should also consider including at least three soft skills, which encompass interpersonal and essential job skills.

For further inspiration on which skills to include in your CV, check out our skills section example: 

Detail your education & relevant bartending certifications

In the education section of your CV, include any degrees and certifications that you’ve achieved. Focus on listing your highest level of education, such as university or polytechnic degrees, and the name of your high school if necessary. If you hold a Master's degree or higher, it’s usually best to omit your high school details. 

Additionally, if you have completed technical courses, internships or attained technical qualifications, you can either create a separate section for them or incorporate them within the education section. For example, an ITIL Foundation Certification or CompTIA A+ Certification would go in this section. If appropriate, feel free to add any personal projects to this section if they showcase your professional skills effectively. 

Below, you will find an example of an education section CV as a formatting guide.

Impress employers with an effective IT CV layout

It’s important to leave a positive professional first impression. How can you achieve this? By keeping your IT CV design clean, neat and engaging. Opt for legible fonts and limit the use of colour to an accent. 

You can also impress employers by using an attractive header that highlights your contact information, making it easy for hiring managers to reach out and schedule an interview. If you’d like to save some time while making sure your formatting is professional, a great CV format is essential. We recommend using a modern or professional CV template to leave a great impression on potential employers. 

Here at cvapp.nz, we believe in making professional career resources accessible to everyone. With a ton of engaging IT CV templates and expert-approved career advice, we make creating the perfect CV easy. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the cvapp.nz online CV builder to kickstart your job-hunt today!