Creating CVs That Get Noticed

10th January 2023
  • Locked
Elizabeth Zagroba's profile
Elizabeth Zagroba

Quality Lead

Nicola Martin's profile
Nicola Martin

Head of Quality Engineering

Peet Michielsen's profile
Peet Michielsen

Senior QA engineer

Creating CVs That Get Noticed image
Introduction
What to Avoid on a CV
Making Your CV Memorable
Ideal Length of a CV
Sharing Community Involvement on a CV
Soft Skills and Community Involvement
Debate: CVs vs. LinkedIn
Addressing Career Breaks on a CV
Differences in CV Expectations Across Countries
Bias in CV Reviewing
Frequency of Resume Updates
Inclusion of Non-Industry-Related Jobs in CV
Hiring a Designer for Resume
The Impact of Formatting on CVs
Reviewing and Tailoring CVs
Job Market Awareness
Final Thoughts and Closing
Description

In this Discussion session, our wonderful host Jenna Charlton is joined by three career experts to discuss ways to improve your CVs and make them stand out.

Our three career experts are:

  1. Elizabeth Zagroba is a Quality Lead at Mendix in Rotterdam. Her goal is to guide enough testers, leaders, etc., to make herself redundant so she can take on new and bigger challenges. You can find Elizabeth's big thoughts on her blog.
  2. Nicola Martin is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in software engineering. With over 20 years of experience in tech, she is a panellist and speaker who speaks at global conferences on topics such as quality, testing, diversity, women in tech, and mentoring.
  3. Peet Michelsen is a seasoned software tester with over 20 years of experience who specialises in test automation, test management and continuous integration. In his work, he wants to be challenged and is always on the lookout for the next problem to solve.

This session is packed with invaluable insights for anyone looking to polish their CV and make a memorable impression on potential employers. They cover crucial topics such as key elements to include or avoid on your CV, strategies for making your CV stand out, and the importance of highlighting the impact of your work rather than just listing responsibilities. 

Furthermore, they touch on the nuances of CV expectations in different countries and offer advice on addressing career breaks or non-industry-related jobs to showcase a well-rounded skill set. It also sheds light on the debate between the traditional CV and LinkedIn profiles, exploring how each can be optimized for job hunting in today's digital age. 

No matter what stage of your career you're in, this discussion offers practical tips and personal insights to help you navigate the complexities of creating a CV that stands out. It's an essential watch for anyone eager to secure their next role.


 

Elizabeth Zagroba's profile'

Elizabeth Zagroba

Quality Lead

Elizabeth Zagroba is Quality Lead at Mendix in The Netherlands. She sets out to prove that when “it should just work” it actually does. She's the go-to person for thinking critically about what’s being built, creating a common understanding, and writing API tests and English effectively. Her goal is to build enough skills in individuals and teams to make herself redundant.
Nicola Martin's profile'

Nicola Martin

Head of Quality Engineering

Nicola is currently Head of Quality Engineering at Adarga, a UK-based AI software company. Nicola is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in software engineering. She mentors and coaches professionals wanting to either change or develop their careers. Nicola is a Council Member for the British Computer Society. She is also a professional member of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). Nicola is a speaker and panellist at global events on diversity, women in tech, quality, AI, software testing and mentorship. Nicola has been included in the 2022 Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech List top 30. She has also been a judge for the UK Tech Awards and will be part of the judging panel for the Black Tech Achievement Awards in 2023.
Peet Michielsen's profile'

Peet Michielsen

Senior QA engineer

I am a seasoned software tester with over 20 years of experience. I specialise in test automation, test management and continuous integration. I started my career in The Netherlands and later moved to Scotland. On both sides of the North Sea, I have worked on numerous projects in a wide range of industries. I'm currently working as a senior systems verification engineer at Optos in Dunfermline, Scotland. In my work I want to be challenged and am always on the lookout for the next problem to solve. And when not working, I like to explore the Scottish countryside and enjoy a good ale or whisky.
Suggested Content
Contribute to TestBash Brighton 2025 image
Submit your ideas today or before the 22 December 2024
Explore MoT
Tester Obsolescence: How to Compete in a Modern QA Job Market image
Tue, 12 Nov
Modern software testing would be nearly unrecognizable to someone from a decade ago
MoT Advanced Certificate in Test Automation
Ascend to leadership roles by mastering strategic skills in automation strategy creation, planning and execution
This Week in Testing
Debrief the week in Testing via a community radio show hosted by Simon Tomes and members of the community
Subscribe to our newsletter
We'll keep you up to date on all the testing trends.