Tips For Engineering Resume Writing

𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝟱𝟬+ 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗲. From my personal experience, major things many folks can improve about how to approach an interview - ● When the interviewer is explaining the problem, listen carefully. Ask for clarifications if there is any doubt in the problem statement. It's fine to take 1-2 extra minutes in this step. As if you understand the problem incorrectly, then you would waste many more extra minutes. Also sometimes it's possible that the problem asked is different from a very common standard problem in a nuanced way, if you try to hurry too much in such cases you can mistake the problem for the standard version. ● After listening to the problem statement, think through it from all angles for a couple of minutes. You don't have to speak the first thing that comes to your mind (balance is tricky for this, as I will also add in the next point). Take a couple of minutes to see if there are any non-obvious things that didn't strike you the first time. ● The tricky thing with the previous point is that there should be a balance. If you have thought for let's say 5-7 minutes and any solution better than the straightforward brute force solution is not coming to your mind, then you should convey that solution to the interviewer. One because time is limited during the interview, you shouldn't keep thinking indefinitely. Secondly sometimes when you reach a dead end in thinking, then just explaining your current version can help you progress further. Also, the interviewer has the chance to ask questions that can help you in improving the current solution. ● Explaining why your proposed solution is correct is as important as (maybe more) telling the correct solution. Many folks underestimate it, they think that it's all about telling the correct solution. But explaining it is very important because that tells the interviewer about how you think and also that you actually understand the problem being discussed here. Additionally, arguably this is one of the skills which is directly applicable to software developer roles. How you approach a problem is very important because, unlike algorithmic interviews in actual development, you will often face open-ended situations, where your way of approaching will matter the most. ● Thinking through the edge cases. After you are done coding your solution, take a couple of examples to dry run through your code, you can also walk the interviewer through your code during this process. If your code is working correctly on the examples you tried, then try to think of any possible edge cases your code may suffer from. If you found this useful, like this post to encourage me to write more such posts. Disclaimer - All opinions expressed here are solely personal. #interviewpreparation #interviewprep #google #datastructures #algorithms #interviewskills

💡 Why Specialization Matters in Germany – And How to Showcase It on Your CV 🇩🇪 If you're an international professional aiming to build a career in Germany, one key success factor is deep specialization. The German job market highly values experts—people who have honed their skills in a specific field and can demonstrate a clear professional focus. German employers expect candidates to have a well-defined expertise and a structured career path. This preference for specialists is deeply embedded in the work culture and hiring processes. 🔹 What Does This Mean for Your Job Search? Your CV and LinkedIn profile should clearly highlight your specialization and make it easy for recruiters to see why you’re the right fit. Here’s how to position yourself effectively: ✅ Define your niche clearly – Avoid generic job titles. Instead of "Software Engineer," specify "Cloud Security Engineer (AWS & Azure)" or "Embedded Systems Developer for Automotive AI." ✅ Showcase relevant experience – List roles that align with your field of expertise. If you've worked across different domains, emphasize projects, technologies, or methodologies that demonstrate your focus area. ✅ Highlight technical skills & certifications – In Germany, formal qualifications matter. If you have certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS, SAP, CFA), make them visible at the top of your CV. ✅ Structure your CV with precision – Recruiters expect a logical, easy-to-read format that follows a clear structure. Use reverse chronological order, concise bullet points, and a skills section tailored to your expertise. ✅ Emphasize long-term commitment – Stability and reliability are highly valued. If you've worked on long-term projects or have industry-specific experience, showcase that continuity in your CV. 🔹 Example 1: A Strong CV vs. A Weak One ❌ Weak: Marketing Professional with experience in social media, project management, and content creation. ✅ Strong: B2B Digital Marketing Expert | SEO & Performance Marketing | Focus: SaaS & Tech Industry ❌ Weak: Software Engineer with experience in various technologies. ✅ Strong: Senior Python Developer | AI & Machine Learning | Specializing in Predictive Analytics & NLP 🔹 Example 2: Tailoring Your Experience Let’s say you’re a mechanical engineer transitioning into the automotive sector. Instead of a generic CV, emphasize: ✔ Projects related to automotive manufacturing, process optimization, or CAD software expertise ✔ Certifications in automotive standards (e.g., ISO 26262) ✔ Experience with industry-specific tools like CATIA, Siemens NX, or MATLAB 🚀 Your Takeaway? If you want to succeed in Germany, position yourself as an expert in your niche. Your CV should tell a clear, structured story that shows employers exactly why you're the right fit. 💬 Have you optimized your CV for the German job market? #CareerInGermany #InternationalCareers #CVTips #JobSearch #GermanJobMarket #WorkInGermany

When people ask me, “How did you get into Google” ? — they often expect a shortcut or some secret trick. Here’s the truth: there is no shortcut. But there is a strategy. 💪 If you're preparing for big tech interviews (Google, Meta etc.), here’s what I’ve learned first-hand: ✅ 1. Master fundamentals, not just patterns. Instead of memorizing 100+ Leetcode solutions, deeply understand how and why data structures work (e.g., why a trie is used for prefix matching, why dynamic programming optimizes overlapping subproblems). ✅ 2. Solve problems consistently. Quality beats quantity. Solving 2 problems deeply every day > solving 10 problems quickly without understanding. ✅ 3. Think out loud. In interviews, your approach matters more than your final answer. Interviewers want to know how you think, debug, and improve. ✅ 4. Mock interviews are game-changers. Simulate the real interview environment with friends or mentors. You’ll build confidence and identify blind spots. ✅ 5. Embrace feedback and failure. I’ve faced rejections too. Instead of feeling defeated, I treated each one as a free lesson to level up. --- Today, as a Software Engineer at Google, I still use these principles daily — solving real-world problems at scale. ✨ To anyone preparing: You don’t have to be a genius. You just have to keep showing up, learning, and believing in yourself. If you'd like, I can share a detailed roadmap or my personal prep strategy in a future post — just comment “Interested” below! ⬇️ For 1:1 conversations please connect here: https://lnkd.in/ga_5bi57 #Google #SoftwareEngineering #InterviewPreparation #DSA #WomenInTech #CareerAdvice

Want to know how I helped my 4 students land interviews last week? By excelling at the art of resume alignment. Here's my exact process (save this for later. Let's make your resume naturally match job descriptions: 1. The Foundation Setup - Use JobScan or TargetMyResume for initial analysis - Create a "master resume" with ALL your experiences - Keep ATS-friendly formatting (no tables/graphics) 2. Strategic Keyword Integration - Copy job description into a word cloud generator - Identify top 15-20 recurring terms - Review your master resume for matching experiences 3. Natural Implementation Process - Start with your most relevant role - Weave keywords into achievement statements - Use exact phrases from job posting (when authentic) - Focus on action verbs that match required skills 4. Tools That Make It Easier - Grammarly for professional phrasing - Word cloud tools: WordClouds or WordArt - LinkedIn Skills Assessment (validate your keywords) - Google Doc's built-in thesaurus 5. The Reality Check Method - Read each bullet point out loud - Ask: "Would I say this in an interview?" - Remove any forced-sounding phrases - Keep industry-standard terminology only The key? Make every word count. Don't just stuff keywords - prove you've actually done what they're looking for. Remember: Your resume should read like a human wrote it, not like an AI generated it. Hope this helps you land more interviews in 2025. Save this post for your next application. P.S. What's your biggest resume challenge? Drop it below, and let's solve it together. Join me in the #LIPostingChallengeIndia and let's grow together!

“Applying for jobs without results?” Here’s what recruiters are really looking for—and how to align your application. As a recruiter, I can tell you that the first pass of your resume is under 30 seconds. In that time, here’s what we’re scanning for: 1️⃣ Job Titles & Functional Alignment Have you held the same or a closely related job title? If you’re applying for a Project Manager role, we’ll look for titles like “Project Manager” or related roles like “Program Coordinator” to ensure functional overlap. 2️⃣ Company & Industry Alignment Companies often prefer candidates from organizations of similar scale or industry. For example, a tech startup may prioritize candidates with experience at other startups, rather than those coming solely from tech giants like Google or Apple. 3️⃣ Minimum Requirements This could include certifications, education, location, or specific skills. For instance, if a role requires “PMP certification” or “proficiency in Tableau,” and it’s missing from your resume, that could be an early disqualifier—especially in a competitive applicant pool. 💡 Pro Tip: If there’s a large applicant pool, any misalignment here could result in being passed over. But if the pool is narrower, there may be more flexibility. Once your resume passes this initial scan, recruiters dive deeper into: ✅ Your Achievements: Quantifiable results like “Exceeded sales quotas by 15%” or “Increased social media engagement by 30%.” ✅ Your Experience: Evidence that you’ve worked on projects, challenges, or tasks that align with the expectations of the role. What This Means for You You DON’T need to customize your resume for every single application. You SHOULD ensure your resume highlights: Relevant job titles or functions. Skills and achievements that align with the job description. Minimum requirements that recruiters are actively searching for. For example: 📌 Applying for a marketing role? Highlight your experience targeting similar audiences or using tools mentioned in the job description (e.g., HubSpot, Google Analytics). 📌 Applying for sales? Emphasize deal sizes, quotas carried, and wins achieved. 💡 Key Takeaway: Recruiters don’t have time to connect the dots—make it easy for them. A few quick tweaks to highlight alignment can make the difference between landing the interview or being overlooked. What’s your go-to strategy for tailoring your resume? Share below! #JobSearch #ResumeTips #CareerGrowth #RecruiterInsights

💡 Do you know what you need to showcase as a tech professional to stand out in the European job market? Before applying for #jobs in #Europe, it’s important to prepare your profile and portfolio according to what employers expect from your specific role. Different #tech positions require highlighting different skills, projects, and experiences - knowing this early can make a big difference in your job search. Check this role-by-role guide on what you should focus on showcasing: 🎨 Frontend Developers & Designers – Keep an up-to-date portfolio with your best projects. – Show a variety of work: websites, apps, UI/UX designs, prototypes. – Highlight your skills with relevant tools (React, Angular, Figma, etc.). 💻 Backend Developers – Maintain an active GitHub (or similar) repository with clean, well-documented code. – Include projects that demonstrate your knowledge of APIs, databases, and architecture. – Showcase contributions to open-source or collaborative projects if possible. 🌐 Fullstack Developers – Combine the best of frontend and backend: showcase both a portfolio and code repository. – Demonstrate your ability to build end-to-end features, from UI to database. – Highlight experience with deployment and testing across the stack. 📊 Product Managers – Share case studies or presentations showing your product lifecycle management. – Highlight experience with roadmaps, stakeholder communication, and agile practices. – Demonstrate measurable impact: metrics, KPIs, quantifiers, successful launches. 🔧 DevOps & Cloud Engineers – Showcase your skills with infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). – Provide examples of automation scripts or system optimizations you implemented. – Include certifications if you have them (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect). 🧪 QA Engineers & Testers – Highlight experience with automated testing frameworks and tools. – Showcase test plans, bug tracking, and quality improvement stories. – Share any contributions to test automation repositories or scripts. 🔐 Security Engineers – Showcase experience with vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security protocols. – Share any certifications (CISSP, CEH, etc.) and security tools you use. – Demonstrate how you’ve improved security posture in previous roles. Preparing your portfolio and professional profile with these points in mind will help you be more confident and ready when applying to jobs in Europe. If you want personalized advice or guidance on preparing for the European tech market, feel free to reach out. At Imagine Foundation e.V., we support international tech professionals on their journey to build successful careers in Europe. Imagine Foundation e.V. Emma Claudia Natasha Marc #techskills #itjobs #developers #techstacks #jobsineurope

I failed almost all interviews until I realized these five coding mistakes in my coding interviews. These can completely reduce the chance of getting hired. Here, I am sharing these five mistakes with you to avoid in your next interview. 1️⃣ Neglecting Problem Understanding: It's crucial to fully grasp the problem before diving into code. Rushing to write solutions without a clear understanding can lead to errors and missed opportunities. Take the time to clarify requirements, ask questions, and discuss your approach before coding. 2️⃣ Skipping Test Cases: Writing code is just the first step; testing is equally vital. Neglecting test cases can lead to overlooking edge cases and potential bugs. Demonstrate your attention to detail by thoroughly testing your code, covering various scenarios to ensure its robustness. 3️⃣ Overlooking Time Management: Time flies during a coding interview, and poor time management can sabotage your performance. Practice solving problems within time constraints to build speed and efficiency. Prioritize tackling the most critical aspects of the problem first to showcase your problem-solving skills effectively. 4️⃣ Lack of Communication: Silence isn't always golden, especially in an interview. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, explain your approach, and communicate effectively. It's not just about writing the perfect code but also about showcasing your problem-solving mindset and ability to collaborate. 5️⃣ Ignoring Follow-Up Questions: Interviewers often pose follow-up questions to gauge your understanding and flexibility. Ignoring or dismissing these questions can leave a negative impression. Embrace follow-ups as an opportunity to showcase your adaptability and willingness to explore alternative solutions. Remember, a coding interview is not just about writing flawless code; it's about demonstrating problem-solving skills, effective communication, and adaptability under pressure. Avoiding these common mistakes can set you on the path to success! 💡✨ Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Follow: Ankit Kumar : ) #coding #lifeatgoogle #softwareengineer #productmanagement #careergrowth #careerdevelopment #lifehacks #workforwin #interviewpreparation

Most people can’t land a better job because of one thing: Their resume. If you've been in the same role or company for years, recruiters may assume you’ve plateaued, even if you're solving harder problems than ever. Here’s how to make your resume 3x more effective (without changing jobs): 1. Highlight evolution, not repetition. Instead of repeating the same responsibilities under a long tenure, show how your scope expanded. → Led X → Mentored Y → Shaped Z. Growth over time = momentum. 2. Translate work into business value. Don’t just list what you built. Say what it changed. → “Improved API performance” → “Cut load time 42%, increasing user retention.” Show impact. Not tasks. 3. Frame internal wins as external proof. Shipped a tool that only your team uses? → Frame it as operational excellence. → Frame internal adoption as user traction. 4. Cut passive language. Avoid: “Responsible for...” Use: “Built,” “Led,” “Reduced,” “Shipped,” “Improved.” Every bullet should start with action. 5. Update your framing. Hiring managers want engineers who think beyond code. Frame cross-functional work. Show collaboration. Show ownership. You've done more than you think. You just need to show it like someone who belongs at the next level. Follow me for more content to help you land your next role.

In the last 15 years, I have interviewed 800+ Software Engineers across Google, Paytm, Amazon & various startups. Here are the most actionable tips I can give you on how to approach  solving coding problems in Interviews  (My DMs are always flooded with this particular question) 1. Use a Heap for K Elements      - When finding the top K largest or smallest elements, heaps are your best tool.      - They efficiently handle priority-based problems with O(log K) operations.      - Example: Find the 3 largest numbers in an array.   2. Binary Search or Two Pointers for Sorted Inputs      - Sorted arrays often point to Binary Search or Two Pointer techniques.      - These methods drastically reduce time complexity to O(log n) or O(n).      - Example: Find two numbers in a sorted array that add up to a target.   3. Backtracking    - Use Backtracking to explore all combinations or permutations.      - They’re great for generating subsets or solving puzzles.      - Example: Generate all possible subsets of a given set.   4. BFS or DFS for Trees and Graphs      - Trees and graphs are often solved using BFS for shortest paths or DFS for traversals.      - BFS is best for level-order traversal, while DFS is useful for exploring paths.      - Example: Find the shortest path in a graph.   5. Convert Recursion to Iteration with a Stack      - Recursive algorithms can be converted to iterative ones using a stack.      - This approach provides more control over memory and avoids stack overflow.      - Example: Iterative in-order traversal of a binary tree.   6. Optimize Arrays with HashMaps or Sorting      - Replace nested loops with HashMaps for O(n) solutions or sorting for O(n log n).      - HashMaps are perfect for lookups, while sorting simplifies comparisons.      - Example: Find duplicates in an array.   7. Use Dynamic Programming for Optimization Problems      - DP breaks problems into smaller overlapping sub-problems for optimization.      - It's often used for maximization, minimization, or counting paths.      - Example: Solve the 0/1 knapsack problem.   8. HashMap or Trie for Common Substrings      - Use HashMaps or Tries for substring searches and prefix matching.      - They efficiently handle string patterns and reduce redundant checks.      - Example: Find the longest common prefix among multiple strings.   9. Trie for String Search and Manipulation      - Tries store strings in a tree-like structure, enabling fast lookups.      - They’re ideal for autocomplete or spell-check features.      - Example: Implement an autocomplete system.   10. Fast and Slow Pointers for Linked Lists      - Use two pointers moving at different speeds to detect cycles or find midpoints.      - This approach avoids extra memory usage and works in O(n) time.      - Example: Detect if a linked list has a loop.   💡 Save this for your next interview prep!

After taking 75 Software Engineer interviews at Google in < 7 months, I’ve seen a range of mistakes all of us make in coding interviews. Here’s a compiled list to help you (and me) avoid these pitfalls in our future interviews! 1️⃣ Not Clarifying Requirements > Many candidates jump straight into coding. Often without fully understanding the problem. This can waste time and lead to errors. Tip: Always ask clarifying questions. To ensure you get the requirements. Confirm edge cases and input constraints early on. 2️⃣ Overcomplicating Solutions > In the heat of the moment, it is easy to overthink a problem. And this complicates the solution, both for you and your interviewer. Tip: Start with a brute-force approach (just explain it), then iterate towards optimization (code it up). Easy-to-understand solutions get bonus points. 3️⃣ Under-Communication > Interviews are not just about coding. They’re also about conveying your thought process. Silence takes away the only help you have during the interview—your interviewer. Tip: Think out loud! Explain your reasoning and approach as you code. This helps the interviewers understand you and even guide you if needed. 4️⃣ Ignoring Edge Cases > Many candidates create a working solution. But fail to consider edge cases. This can lead to catastrophic failures. Tip: After arriving at a solution, always discuss potential edge cases. Explain how your code handles them. This shows your thoroughness. 5️⃣ Neglecting to Optimize > Even if your solution works, failing to consider optimization can cost you points. Tip: After solving the problem, re-read your solution and discuss ways to improve time and space complexity. No micro-optimizations. Interviewers appreciate candidates who think about efficiency in big-oh notation. 6️⃣ Skipping Dry Runs > 80%+ candidates skip the dry run of their code, leading to overlooked mistakes. Tip: Walk through your code with sample inputs. This helps catch errors early and makes you look proactive. 7️⃣ Getting Flustered > Interviews are stressful. And it is easy to panic if you hit a roadblock. Tip: If you’re stuck, ask for a minute or 2 to gather your thoughts. Ask for hints if necessary—interviewers appreciate candidates who are willing to seek help. Those were my 2 cents on how to tackle coding interviews. But believe it or not, the best way to realize your interview mistakes would be to start taking interviews (even mock ones). After conducting so many interviews at Google, I realized how I often fell into the same traps as everyone. Like going completely silent or forgetting to do a dry run for the interviewer. Taking interviews altered my perspective, and now I advise everyone preparing for interviews to take a couple of them first. Total game changer! #codingInterviews #jobPrep #softwareEngineering #Google #interviewTips