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The Tech Resume Inside Out
This book helps you craft a developer resume that represents you fairly, plays to your strengths, and increases your chances of getting to that recruiter call. Written by hiring managers and recruiters working at large tech companies, this book is tailored for software developers, tech leads and engineering managers.
The book comes with insights from more than 15 hiring managers and recruiters from the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Uber and Spotify. It contains 3 resume templates tailored for tech, and 5 "before" and "after" real-world resume case studies.
Here’s what people who have read the book shared:
"I applied changes to my resume based on the book and got interviews from Facebook, Google, Stripe, and Databricks. I guess the changes partially helped get here. I'm now busy preparing for the interviews!" - Alex L, senior software engineer.
"Being able to represent yourself well to hiring managers when applying for jobs is half of the battle. I've never read such an actionable guide to getting your resume in order, which can be the differentiator in a crowded job market." - James Stanier
SVP Engineering at Brandwatch, author of Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager
"I redid my CV following the advice in the book. The response rate for my applications increased by a large margin. A few weeks later, I had multiple, good offers. I just started at my new job - thank you!" - David Kiss, freelancer, senior software engineer"
The book comes with insights from more than 15 hiring managers and recruiters from the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Uber and Spotify. It contains 3 resume templates tailored for tech, and 5 "before" and "after" real-world resume case studies.
Here’s what people who have read the book shared:
"I applied changes to my resume based on the book and got interviews from Facebook, Google, Stripe, and Databricks. I guess the changes partially helped get here. I'm now busy preparing for the interviews!" - Alex L, senior software engineer.
"Being able to represent yourself well to hiring managers when applying for jobs is half of the battle. I've never read such an actionable guide to getting your resume in order, which can be the differentiator in a crowded job market." - James Stanier
SVP Engineering at Brandwatch, author of Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager
"I redid my CV following the advice in the book. The response rate for my applications increased by a large margin. A few weeks later, I had multiple, good offers. I just started at my new job - thank you!" - David Kiss, freelancer, senior software engineer"
217 pages, ebook
Published October 8, 2020
26 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Gergely Orosz
6 books222 followersI write The Pragmatic Engineer, the # technology newsletter on Substack. Author of The Software Engineer's Guidebook and other titles. Formerly at Uber, Skype / Microsoft and Skyscanner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 11, 2021
I don't think this is a $24 book, and it's definitely not a $24 ebook. It has some good, even surprising, insights–I'd never think it's that important in tech to put your location on your CV... But, as with a lot of 'business' books, this could be a blog post.
On the other hand, I do appreciate that getting together with and pulling favours from hiring managers of the best tech companies out there doesn't come for free (whether we're talking time, social capital, or even money) and I'd much rather pay for it in cash than to be served ads.
Also, to be honest with myself, would I read it if it was a blog post, not a book, without the fancy cover and good names on the front? Probably not.
I'm slightly disappointed with the editing (or a lack thereof). There were typos, weird phrases, and some of the resume examples didn't embed great for MOBI.
Overall, it does what it says, and to the author's credit, it probably really is the most comprehensive resource on the topic out there. And when you think about it, it's better to spend $24 on a good resource than to fetch half-arsed resources online, wasting time and energy that you could spend on... Idk, crafting a resume? ;)
On the other hand, I do appreciate that getting together with and pulling favours from hiring managers of the best tech companies out there doesn't come for free (whether we're talking time, social capital, or even money) and I'd much rather pay for it in cash than to be served ads.
Also, to be honest with myself, would I read it if it was a blog post, not a book, without the fancy cover and good names on the front? Probably not.
I'm slightly disappointed with the editing (or a lack thereof). There were typos, weird phrases, and some of the resume examples didn't embed great for MOBI.
Overall, it does what it says, and to the author's credit, it probably really is the most comprehensive resource on the topic out there. And when you think about it, it's better to spend $24 on a good resource than to fetch half-arsed resources online, wasting time and energy that you could spend on... Idk, crafting a resume? ;)
January 6, 2021
Absolutely essential: The job search can be very tedious despite the demand for software developers, and there's a lot of conflicting advice. Gergely cuts through all the noise with detailed explanations on how to proceed with every aspect of resume writing and looking for jobs that remove all of the decision fatigue from the process and dispels a lot of common misbeliefs along the way. Literally every single software developer from every experience level should have this on their bookshelf.
January 20, 2025
This is pretty basic, watered down and short. And thus feels over-priced. I can recommend it for people just starting and looking for the first position in tech. (But in this case I don't believe that polished resume should be your priority)
If you've been in the industry for more that 2 years, only last section (review of resumes & templates) is worth skimming.
It could be a solid 10-pager without all the water and fillers. But as is, it's a very unimpressive read.
If you've been in the industry for more that 2 years, only last section (review of resumes & templates) is worth skimming.
It could be a solid 10-pager without all the water and fillers. But as is, it's a very unimpressive read.
December 31, 2020
Firstly, the book covers all the tiny details that I would’ve never bothered pointing out in my resume before. Even though I always go through engineers’ resumes to see if I can improve mine, they only get me more confused since I have no direction in what could possibly improve my resume.
Secondly, I like that the book cover topics with how things work at the recruitment side. I, as a candidate, would have never known what goes behind the scenes in the hiring process. Furthermore, I believe that the advice for hiring managers also reduces the communication gap between a candidate and the hiring manager. Kudos for that!
Thirdly, I love how the book is up-to-date with the current situation and how it has affected hiring. For instance, the topic on COVID-19 is going to be very relevant and helpful for many upcoming candidates.
Secondly, I like that the book cover topics with how things work at the recruitment side. I, as a candidate, would have never known what goes behind the scenes in the hiring process. Furthermore, I believe that the advice for hiring managers also reduces the communication gap between a candidate and the hiring manager. Kudos for that!
Thirdly, I love how the book is up-to-date with the current situation and how it has affected hiring. For instance, the topic on COVID-19 is going to be very relevant and helpful for many upcoming candidates.
January 21, 2023
This book is relevant for anyone looking to get into a tech role mostly in the US (some tips given for Europe, but usually as a highlight to show what is different in Europe than the US). If you're a junior engineer or someone who has never spent time figuring out how to write a resume - read this book, you can go through it in a few hours.
There are also explanations of what the hiring process looks like from the other side - what people are involved, what are the roles, what do they do, what is their process, etc. The author highlights some of the ways in which big companies differ from small startups and how you might tailor your resume to fit each one.
There are also explanations of what the hiring process looks like from the other side - what people are involved, what are the roles, what do they do, what is their process, etc. The author highlights some of the ways in which big companies differ from small startups and how you might tailor your resume to fit each one.
February 17, 2021
Solid and realistic advice, concisely written. I like how clear he is about what the resume is for. He even acknowledges that the current hiring system for most companies is kinda broken and offers ideas at the end for how to improve it. In the meantime, though, you have to play the game, and this book helps you get the best shot at it. Everything is backed up with information from actual tech recruiters and hiring managers. He knows what he's talking about.
April 7, 2022
This book covered crafting a resume. It includes 217 pages long information to create a one-page resume. I was surprised to learn how many things I missed after reading this. The author mentioned everything you need to know maybe more.
December 21, 2020
A comprehensive guide to writing great resume for software engineers and other techie roles. Gergely explained the recruitment process in details from the recruiting-side point of view. He also emphasizes that the goal of the resume is to get the foot in the door (i.e. getting the interview), and that we should optimize for that. Gergely also gives lots of before-after examples on how a resume is refactored, showing how a typical resume can be transformed into a great resume. Overall, this book is a must-read for everyone in tech in order to represent yourself well in the job market.
December 15, 2023
Good, but not perfect. The overall advice is excellent and focuses on software engineers. If only more people had read this and did better CVs! Still, it could be much more concise. Many things are repeated many times, but I'm not sure why. Overall, it is a strong recommendation for someone struggling with a CV. The book contains many examples and inspirations on creating one from scratch or improving something existing.
January 8, 2022
I read this when I was re-doing my resume last spring, and I think it helped. Here are some changes to my resume that I made based on its advice:
* With double the experience, I cut the length in half to get to one page.
* I dropped my full address, keeping just city and state.
* I put job titles before and more prominently than employer names.
* Instead of paragraphs describing jobs, 16 bullet-points, all single lines.
* Lots of active voice, immediate quantitative detail, and specifics.
* Instead of a separate section, programming languages etc. mentioned in context.
* I dropped months, so dates of employment only include years.
I didn't make a separate resume for every position I applied for, but I did distribute at least six different versions for different kinds of roles.
Do resumes matter? I'm not sure. You probably still need to have one though. And it may be that the less they matter, the better the signal you provide by still having a good one. People who are great do the little things well.
If nothing else, thinking about your resume can focus your work: How would what I'm doing today look on my resume? If you're doing something that would seem pointless on a resume, maybe you should do something else.
* With double the experience, I cut the length in half to get to one page.
* I dropped my full address, keeping just city and state.
* I put job titles before and more prominently than employer names.
* Instead of paragraphs describing jobs, 16 bullet-points, all single lines.
* Lots of active voice, immediate quantitative detail, and specifics.
* Instead of a separate section, programming languages etc. mentioned in context.
* I dropped months, so dates of employment only include years.
I didn't make a separate resume for every position I applied for, but I did distribute at least six different versions for different kinds of roles.
Do resumes matter? I'm not sure. You probably still need to have one though. And it may be that the less they matter, the better the signal you provide by still having a good one. People who are great do the little things well.
If nothing else, thinking about your resume can focus your work: How would what I'm doing today look on my resume? If you're doing something that would seem pointless on a resume, maybe you should do something else.
October 20, 2020
Disclaimer: I was given a complementary copy to give feedback on but was not asked to write any sort of review.
In short, if you're a tech employee having trouble landing an interview then I recommend this book.
It goes pretty well in depth on formatting and content decisions with lots of examples.
However, it's 4 stars because there are some typos or weird phrases in the book and the pdf itself doesn't seem laid out as good as it should be.
In short, if you're a tech employee having trouble landing an interview then I recommend this book.
It goes pretty well in depth on formatting and content decisions with lots of examples.
However, it's 4 stars because there are some typos or weird phrases in the book and the pdf itself doesn't seem laid out as good as it should be.
Read
March 21, 2026The Tech Resume Inside Out
Author: Gergely Orosz (The Pragmatic Engineer)
Why it matters: Written by a former Uber engineering manager. Explains how recruiters and hiring managers actually evaluate resumes — not how candidates think they do.
Key Takeaways
Recruiters spend ~6 seconds on the first pass. Your resume needs to communicate value in under 10 seconds. Clean layout, no graphics, no unnecessary decoration.
Lead with results, not responsibilities. Instead of “worked on frontend features”, write “reduced LCP by 35% via code-splitting and controlled hydration.” Numbers and impact always beat vague descriptions.
Keywords matter. Recruiters search for keywords aligned to the job description. Mirror the language from the JD without keyword stuffing.
Experience first, education last. Unless you’re a new grad, your work history is what matters. Skills sections should support the experience, not replace it.
Avoid common mistakes: grammar errors, irrelevant experience, exaggerations, and visual design that distracts from the content.
Beyond the resume: a complete LinkedIn profile aligned to your CV, relevant portfolio or open source contributions, and active networking significantly impact whether you get the call.
Chapter Overview
1 — How Tech Hiring Works
Recruiting funnel: screening → technical → culture fit
2 — How Recruiters Review
6-second rule, keywords, what gets flagged
3 — Writing a Winning Resume
Results-first, quantifiable impact, clear structure
4 — Common Mistakes
Grammar, irrelevant experience, exaggeration
5 — Templates & Examples
Flexible models, bullet point storytelling
6 — Beyond the Resume
LinkedIn, portfolio, networking
Actionable Items
- Rewrite every bullet point as: “I did X which resulted in Y (measured by Z)”
- Check that your resume communicates its core value in under 10 seconds
- Align your LinkedIn summary directly to your resume
- Ask someone to review it cold and tell you what role they'd assume you're applying for
February 18, 2022
Even though I've read a lot of advice on the topic, I still found the book useful and I learnt a couple of bits here and there. The author seems to have strong hiring experience in the industry and he has also talked with a lot of other experienced people, since the book contains quotes and tips from many other people. What I liked is the author did not just give tips for writing a good resume, but he first spent the time to explain how the hiring process works and gave interesting tidbits. This is an interesting background that also implicitly gives the reader the rationale for all the recommendations shared later on. I think the people that will benefit mostly from this book are those that haven't done a lot of research on resume writing already. If you have already done this, you might find a lot of things explained in the book are things you already know (that was the case for me). That was also the reason I didn't go for the 5 starts too. But, still a useful book that you can go through quickly and still learn some things, if you don't want to spend too much time on it.
February 26, 2025
I highly recommend this book! Many of us—software engineers and technical professionals—turn to search engines, relying on articles surfaced by keywords or specific queries when updating our resumes. Others seek help from their network or invest in professional resume services. More recently, AI tools have become another avenue for assistance. However, a well-crafted book that delves deeply into a focused topic can provide invaluable, structured insights—and this book does exactly that.
I'm about halfway through, and it has already sparked important questions while shedding light on perspectives that job seekers often miss. How effective is my resume? Does it truly reflect my experience? How much time do recruiters actually spend reviewing it? What is an ATS system, and what misconceptions surround it? What format works best? How can I effectively communicate my impact? Does LinkedIn matter? And the list goes on. This e-book not only raises these critical questions but also provides answers from the many contributors who have shared their insights.
This book provides insightful, practical guidance on these questions and more—making it a valuable read. No matter your level of experience, it encourages a critical examination of your resume and offers actionable ways to enhance it. The advice offered isn’t just subjective opinion; it’s well-informed and grounded in industry standards. Finally, I disagree with the idea that this book could have been condensed into an essay. While e-books are not always scholarly works or the product of rigorous editing, this one provides essential depth and breadth in its discussion of tech resumes. And the length was appropriate, with the content not seeming repetitive or verbose.
EDIT: I do have one criticism to add— the book's poor editing. For a book focused on resumes, it's ironic that there are several editing mistakes scattered throughout. While it doesn't detract from the content itself, it is noticeable and undermines the credibility of the advice.
I'm about halfway through, and it has already sparked important questions while shedding light on perspectives that job seekers often miss. How effective is my resume? Does it truly reflect my experience? How much time do recruiters actually spend reviewing it? What is an ATS system, and what misconceptions surround it? What format works best? How can I effectively communicate my impact? Does LinkedIn matter? And the list goes on. This e-book not only raises these critical questions but also provides answers from the many contributors who have shared their insights.
This book provides insightful, practical guidance on these questions and more—making it a valuable read. No matter your level of experience, it encourages a critical examination of your resume and offers actionable ways to enhance it. The advice offered isn’t just subjective opinion; it’s well-informed and grounded in industry standards. Finally, I disagree with the idea that this book could have been condensed into an essay. While e-books are not always scholarly works or the product of rigorous editing, this one provides essential depth and breadth in its discussion of tech resumes. And the length was appropriate, with the content not seeming repetitive or verbose.
EDIT: I do have one criticism to add— the book's poor editing. For a book focused on resumes, it's ironic that there are several editing mistakes scattered throughout. While it doesn't detract from the content itself, it is noticeable and undermines the credibility of the advice.
August 15, 2022
The author shares deep insights into what a typical hiring procedure is like. And he discuss in more details the important decision-making factors during the "resume screening" process. All in all, the insights he shares, are a great resource for writing & polishing out a resume!
I plan on implementing the suggestions he provided in my resume as I write this review & hope to land a job some time soon!
I plan on implementing the suggestions he provided in my resume as I write this review & hope to land a job some time soon!
June 14, 2022
As expected: good and actionable advice on how to improve your resume. The book is short and gets straight to the point. It’s worth skimming through, even if you’re only slightly interested in the topic.
tl;dr picked it up for resume templates, stayed for the content :]
tl;dr picked it up for resume templates, stayed for the content :]
April 2, 2023
A book filled with great tips, from basic to advanced about how to make a great tech resume.
Sometimes it feels a little bit repetitive however one could also argue that the repetition helps the reader really grasp the principles behind a great CV
Sometimes it feels a little bit repetitive however one could also argue that the repetition helps the reader really grasp the principles behind a great CV
June 11, 2023
This is a must-read book for any software engineers who want to work as an employee . Lots of practical guidance on how to prepare yourself as a 'human resource' which finally enables you to get a good work environment for growth.
January 16, 2021
This is an ideal guide to design and write your best CV
October 23, 2021
the tech interview process sucks and this makes it suck a little less
December 8, 2021
Invaluable content. A must read for every software engineer.
December 29, 2021
Clear advice and tips
March 23, 2022
Game-changing.
April 26, 2022
Excellent clear actionable advice.
December 31, 2022
Not that much useful info for students wanting internships, other than the section about projects, open source, and the parts about metrics
January 15, 2023
The Author is software engineer himself,
So many valid points and good tips to have a better CV as software engineer.
So many valid points and good tips to have a better CV as software engineer.
January 30, 2023
If you're develope just take this book and create your CV step-by-step.
March 17, 2024
Concise collection of all of the best resume wisdom that I’ve picked up (slowly) over many years, and some new stuff. What I like best is that he explains the why for all advice.
October 10, 2024
Perfectly serviceable, plenty of (at least seemingly) great advice, but nothing revolutionary
March 23, 2025
Concise, informative, pragmatic and highly relevant for tech people. Filled with real examples. 10/10
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews