Résumé Tips from a Microsoft Software Engineer: How I Landed 4 Job Offers, Including Amazon and eBay
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
Ritvika Nagula, a senior software engineer at Microsoft Azure, secured job offers from Microsoft, Amazon, eBay, and a startup just months after graduating in 2018. Her proven résumé strategies, shared with Business Insider, helped her stand out in the competitive tech job market. This professional, reader-friendly blog outlines her five key tips, practical applications, and insights for software engineers aiming to land top roles in 2025, tailored for those crafting résumés for tech giants.
1. Prioritize Relevant Experience at the Top
- Why It Works: Recruiters spend less than a minute scanning résumés. Leading with high-impact experiences grabs attention. Nagula placed internships and a seven-month co-op above other sections.
- How to Apply: List your most relevant roles—internships, projects, or short-term gigs—right after your contact info. Quantify impact (e.g., “Improved API response time by 20%”).
- Example: “Software Engineer Intern, Trifacta: Developed ML pipeline, boosting data processing speed by 15%.”
2. Showcase Personal Projects
- Why It Works: Side projects demonstrate initiative and passion. Nagula included a Facebook chatbot using the GoodReads API to fetch book summaries, showing real-world skills.
- How to Apply: Highlight 1–2 projects, detailing tools and outcomes. Categorize academic, internship, and personal work for clarity.
- Example: “Personal Project: Built a Python-based chatbot with GoodReads API, serving 500+ users monthly.”
3. Use GitHub as a Portfolio
- Why It Works: A public GitHub lets recruiters verify your coding skills. Nagula linked her profile with clean, well-documented projects, setting her apart.
- How to Apply: Pin 3–5 polished projects on GitHub, ensuring readable code and clear READMEs. Include the link in your résumé’s header.
- Tip: Update repositories regularly to reflect current skills (e.g., Python, JavaScript).
4. Combine Cold Applications with Networking
- Why It Works: Nagula’s dual approach—applying via LinkedIn and company portals while messaging employees—led to referrals and interviews.
- How to Apply: Apply to 10–15 roles weekly on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or company sites. Reach out to 2–3 employees per company via LinkedIn, asking about their roles.
- Example Message: “Hi [Name], I’m applying for [Role] at [Company]. Could you share insights about your team’s work?”
5. Master Coding Fundamentals, Don’t Over-Rely on AI
- Why It Works: Strong fundamentals impress in technical interviews. Nagula warned against overusing AI tools like Copilot, which can weaken problem-solving skills.
- How to Apply: Practice algorithms and data structures on LeetCode or HackerRank (50–100 problems). Focus on core concepts like arrays, trees, and time complexity.
- Tip: Limit AI assistance to debugging; solve problems manually first.
Why These Tips Shine in 2025
Nagula’s strategies align with 2025’s tech hiring trends, where recruiters value tailored résumés, verifiable skills, and proactive networking. With tech layoffs ongoing (e.g., TCS cut 12,000 jobs in 2024), standing out is critical. Her approach helped her secure offers during a tough market, proving its effectiveness.
Ritvika Nagula’s résumé tips—prioritizing experience, showcasing projects, leveraging GitHub, networking, and mastering fundamentals—offer a blueprint for landing top tech roles. Start by updating your résumé with one impactful project and practicing 10 LeetCode problems this week. In a competitive 2025 job market, these steps can make the difference.
