Can someone please critique my developer resume after startup layoff?

14 points by HAL9OOO ↗ HN
Hi!

I recently got laid off from a startup and I'm looking for a new job. It was purely for funding reasons and not performance based, I can get recommendations from my managers. I'm wondering if there is a way to communicate this on my Resume. Also other than the two major projects I worked on I'm curious how to talk about all the other minor day-to-day work and smaller projects I worked on at the company.

The last time I asked for resume help from HN it was very helpful.

It's been a while since I've done this, I would appreciate it if anyone could give me any feedback on the content or styling.

Please be as rude and nitpicky as possible!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8h9xo6rax1bte03/jahamed_peach_resume.pdf?dl=0

Thanks again so much!

11 comments

[ 2.6 ms ] story [ 31.3 ms ] thread
Yes, you definitely want to somehow communicate that that you were working for a startup at the end of its funding. I read your resume before reading your request here, and the ladt two short stays really stood out to me. I'm not sure the best way to do this. Off the top of my head, even putting "(Startup)" by the company name would help. I look forward to seeing what others recommend.

On the nitpick side, I don't have enough context to know what this means in real terms: "Daily orders per day increased by over 100 for previously inactive users."

Just say something like "company ran out of funding" at the beginning of the section about the company. That tells it all. If it's not exactly correct, find the right wording that is correct and clear.
I think your resume is fine as is. One of the first things they will ask you is, "why did you leave your last position?" and then you can explain the situation. Emphasize that you enjoyed your time there and felt like you grew and learned, etc, etc and don't give an inkling of a negative impression.

Good luck, but I think you will do fine.

Thanks man! Yeah I think I can explain it fine during the interview itself but was just worrying the small time frame might look bad + just general resume proofreading in general. Thanks!
+1 to this. I was in the same situation as OP (company laid off most employees due to funding) and I always told my interviewers, "Honestly, I really didn't want to leave :)" None of the interviewers really raised an eyebrow about it.

Best of luck!

I might move the skills section before education or experience.

It would help whoever is looking at it quickly determine if you have any experience with the technology they currently use (or will be interested in using).

- Order of subjects :- Skills => work experience => Academic project =>education.

- Change 'Languages' to 'Languages (in proficiency order)' or something like that, I hate it when people just arbitrarily put the order of thier languages down so you have no idea what to ask them questions on.

- You descriptions are quite wordy and redundant, and can be cut down a lot:-

i.e.

"Implemented bug xes/feature requests to existing Java document management product." => "Implemented bug xes/feature requests to Java document management product."

"Code was deployed to IBM Websphere servers and required the use of SQL, XML, JDBC. Projects were managed using SVN and JIRA/Confluence and utilized jUnit testing and code reviews." => "Deployed to IBM Websphere servers and used SQL, XML, JDBC. Projects managed using SVN and JIRA/Confluence and utilized jUnit testing and code reviews."

"Designed and implemented custom document and workflow management systems for clients primarily using Java/IBM Filenet in both individual and team settings, including travel to client sites." => "Designed and implemented document and workflow management systems using Java/IBM Filenet in both individual and team settings, included travel to client sites."

"Developed an iOS app designed as a sales tool. Built using JavaScript/Cordova and managed with Git, utilizing jQuery and various libraries for JSON data visualization." => "Developed an iOS sales tool app built using JavaScript/Cordova/JQuery and various libraries for JSON data visualization."

Thanks for the advice! Yeah I hate the skills section in general. You end up using so many things at work but you can't list them all, plus I end up forgetting the languages I haven't used in a while anyway.
I've interviewed a lot of dev folks from any level. Your Resume looks fine. Move your education all the way down.

I personally go first visit your github profile. Also, any link you have about the work you've done will make a difference.

good luck

Oh... and you published your personal address/phone so make sure you hide it on HC news.