💼 Tech Resume & Portfolio Tips: What Hiring Managers Really Want to See

Breaking into the tech industry can feel intimidating—especially when you're crafting your first resume or portfolio. But here's the truth: you don’t need a perfect résumé or a ton of experience. What you need is clarity, relevance, and potential—the three things hiring managers in tech care about most.

In 2025’s competitive job market, where entry-level roles still draw hundreds of applications, your resume and portfolio are your first impression. Here’s exactly how to make them count.

📄 1. Your Tech Resume: Clean, Clear, and Focused

✅ Keep It Simple

Your resume should be easy to scan in 6–10 seconds.

Tips:

Use a clean format (no columns or fancy graphics)

Stick to one page unless you have significant experience

Use clear section headings: Summary, Skills, Projects, Education, Experience.

🧠 Focus on Skills, Not Just Job Titles

Hiring managers want to see what you can do, not just where you've worked.

Include:

Technical Skills: e.g., JavaScript, Python, React, SQL, Git, etc.

Tools & Platforms: e.g., Figma, AWS, VS Code, Jira

Soft Skills: especially collaboration, communication, and problem-solving

💡 Pro Tip: Group your skills by category (e.g., “Languages,” “Frameworks,” “Tools”) for readability.

📌 Add a Brief Summary (But Make It Count)

A 2–3 sentence summary can highlight your value.

Example:
Junior front-end developer with a passion for clean code and responsive design. Skilled in React, Tailwind CSS, and collaborating in Agile teams.

🧰 2. Your Tech Portfolio: Show, Don’t Just Tell

Your portfolio is proof of your skills—arguably more important than your resume, especially for self-taught or early-career candidates.

🎯 What to Include:

3–5 solid projects (real or personal)

Links to live demos and GitHub repos

Descriptions of what you built, why, and how

Great format:
Project Name – [Live Link] | [GitHub]
Built a full-stack blog app using Node.js and MongoDB with user auth and CRUD operations.

🔍 What Hiring Managers Look For:

Clear, working code (even if it’s not perfect)

Thoughtful design and usability

Use of real-world tools (APIs, frameworks, deployment)

Evidence of learning and iteration (even if a project failed)

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t hide “unfinished” projects. Add a short note: “Still improving mobile responsiveness” — this shows honesty and growth.

🌐 3. GitHub: Make It Recruiter-Ready

Think of your GitHub profile as an extension of your portfolio. Even if you only have a few projects, keep it clean and active.

Quick wins:

Add a pinned section with your best repos

Write clear README files for each project

Keep commits meaningful and organized

Use branches and commit messages correctly

👥 4. Bonus: LinkedIn, Personal Website & Networking

✔️ LinkedIn

Match your resume

Use a clean, professional headshot

Share projects or blog posts to stay visible

✔️ Personal Site (Optional but Powerful)

Host your portfolio, résumé, and contact info

Use a custom domain (e.g., yourname.dev)

Keep it simple, fast, and responsive

🚀 Final Advice: Show Curiosity & Growth

Hiring managers know you’re just starting out—they don’t expect perfection. What they want to see is:

Willingness to learn

Evidence of effort

Clear, relevant skills

If you can show that in your resume, your portfolio, and the way you talk about your work, you’re already ahead of most applicants.

✅ TL;DR – What Hiring Managers Really Want:

A clean, focused resume with real skills

A portfolio with 3–5 meaningful projects

Clear GitHub activity and readable code

Signs that you’re learning, improving, and enthusiastic

Would you like this adapted for:

A Notion or PDF checklist?

A LinkedIn carousel?

A downloadable résumé/portfolio template?