Writing the perfect resume is an art. It shouldn’t be too cramped and should be concise. However, disregarding this rule, a man sent a two-page-long resume to Google and even bagged his dream job!
Meet Ankit Virmani, who shifted to the USA for a master’s degree and then worked at Deloitte as a consultant for roughly five years. That’s when he decided to switch to tech and started learning how to code on his own. According to Business Insider, Ankit dedicated three to four hours every day to learning coding and spent additional hours reading about the industry. He also began networking with other coders and industry experts to gain their perspectives.
Not just this, the self-taught coder even created a two-page-long resume detailing his professional skills and work – something quite unusual as recruiters generally prefer short and crisp one-page resumes. After facing a few initial setbacks and rejections by companies like Amazon and Microsoft, Ankit finally got a job at Google as a data and machine learning specialist.
Breaking the One-Page Resume Rule
Talking to Business Insider, Ankit said that he wouldn’t change his lengthy resume for the normal one-page version as that’s what recruiters at Google prefer – unlike others. He shared that he broke the one-page resume rule to make it look less cluttered and instead had subheads to explain his skills concisely. This helped his manager to easily go through his resume without reading through all the lines. Ankit mentioned that his manager at Google told him later that the subheadings and structure made it easier to identify his key skills and experience quickly.
The Journey to Google
Ankit’s journey wasn’t easy. Despite his extensive efforts in self-learning and networking, he initially faced rejections from big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft. These setbacks didn’t deter him. Instead, they fueled his determination to refine his skills and resume further. Ankit’s two-page resume included detailed sections on his professional skills, work experience, and relevant projects, all structured in a way that was easy to read and navigate.
The Strategy Behind the 2-Page Resume
Ankit revealed that while he mentioned all the factual details, he did not over-share information about past projects. “If you put everything in the résumé, you’ll run out of points to talk about in the interview,” he told Business Insider. This strategic approach ensured that he had substantial talking points for his interviews, allowing him to elaborate on his experiences and demonstrate his problem-solving abilities in person.
Why It Worked
The success of Ankit’s resume can be attributed to several factors:
- Clarity and Structure: The use of subheadings and a clear structure made it easy for recruiters to scan and identify key information quickly.
- Comprehensive Detailing: The two-page length allowed Ankit to provide comprehensive details about his skills and experience without making the resume look cramped.
- Focused Content: By not over-sharing project details, Ankit ensured that he had enough material to discuss during interviews, keeping the conversations engaging and informative.
Lessons Learned
Ankit’s experience offers valuable lessons for job seekers:
- Know Your Audience: Understand the preferences of the companies you’re applying to. What works for one company might not work for another.
- Break the Rules When Necessary: While one-page resumes are generally preferred, a longer resume can be effective if it enhances clarity and readability.
- Balance Detail with Brevity: Include enough detail to showcase your skills and experience but leave room for discussion during interviews.
Conclusion
Ankit Virmani’s unconventional approach to resume writing defied traditional norms and landed him a coveted position at Google. His two-page resume, structured with clear subheadings and focused content, stood out to Google recruiters and demonstrated the importance of tailoring your application materials to the company’s preferences. Ankit’s journey highlights that sometimes, breaking the rules can lead to remarkable opportunities, especially when done strategically. For job seekers, the key takeaway is to focus on clarity, structure, and relevance, ensuring that your resume effectively communicates your qualifications and potential.
FAQs
1. Why did Ankit Virmani use a two-page resume?
Ankit used a two-page resume to avoid clutter and include detailed sections with subheadings, making it easier for recruiters to quickly identify his key skills and experiences.
2. What made Ankit’s resume stand out to Google recruiters?
The clear structure, comprehensive detailing, and strategic inclusion of key information without over-sharing project details made Ankit’s resume stand out to Google recruiters.
3. How did Ankit prepare for his career switch to tech?
Ankit spent three to four hours daily learning to code, reading about the industry, and networking with other coders and industry experts.
4. What challenges did Ankit face during his job search?
Ankit faced initial rejections from companies like Amazon and Microsoft, but he continued to refine his skills and resume, eventually securing a position at Google.
5. What key lesson can job seekers learn from Ankit’s experience?
Job seekers can learn the importance of tailoring their resumes to the preferences of the companies they apply to and balancing detail with brevity to keep interviews engaging.
Here we list down some thumb-rules to keep in mind to write the perfect resume:
1. Do not cram all little details– including skill and work experience– in your resume as this would make it look cluttered.
2. Mention all your qualifications crisply & concisely.
3. Put the most important and best information on the top.
4. Choose a format that helps you display your skills & work experience well.
5. Include links to your past work and projects that are relevant and add value to your resume.