5 Tips To Make Your Resume *Really* Stand Out in FAANG Applications
Are you tired of sending out countless resumes only to hear crickets in response?
Maybe you feel like you're stuck in an endless cycle of applications and rejections, and you're wondering if you'll ever even land a job.
Trust me, I know exactly how you feel because just a few years ago, I was in the same boat as you – I was applying to hundreds of applications. I was pouring my heart into every single one of them, and in the end, I was only getting rejected.
But here's the thing: I turned it all around and ended up landing my dream position as a data scientist at Spotify.
How? It all started with a killer resume that made me stand out from the crowd.
In this article, I'm going to share the five powerful tips that transformed my job search. Plus, I'll reveal the ultimate secret that played a huge role in getting me hired at Spotify – something I didn't even know about until after I got the job!
PS: To make it even easier for you, I'm also including a free resume checklist and a CV editing prompt.
Tip #1 – Throw Targeted Bottles
I want you to picture yourself standing on a beach. You're holding a bottle with your resume inside it. You toss the bottle into the ocean and then you wait there, hoping that someone will find the bottle.
Very unlikely to happen, right?
The chances of that working are maybe as slim as me becoming a Hollywood star.
But you're doing it when you're cold applying!
You're basically sending your resume out into the wild and you're just praying for a miracle.
But hoping and praying is not a strategy, at least not one that is going to get you a Data Science job. I know that because I've been there!
I used to spend HOURS sending out generic applications to every company I could find with a job offer.
And I used to do that because of how desperate I was, and surprise, surprise…
… I got absolutely nowhere (I mean, except from tears and depression).
I was really frustrated, and it reached a point where I even began to doubt myself and wonder if I would ever be good enough to make it into the field.
Or just to be a data scientist.
Or just to get a job.
But that's when I realized that applying for jobs that I wasn't qualified for wasn't just hurting my chances; it was doing something much worse:
It was hurting my self-esteem.
So my #1 advice for you: Apply when you're ready.
- Take the time to build up your skills and experience.
- Identify 5–10 companies you're genuinely interested in AND qualified for.
- Research each company thoroughly – their goals, culture, financials, and specific job requirements.
- Tailor your resume to match what they're looking for (more on this in Tip #2!).
- Optimize your LinkedIn profile to include all your skills. LinkedIn's job portal will accurately match you with job listings that align with your qualifications.
Just stop throwing bottles into the ocean and start sending targeted bottles! Trust me, your future self is definitely going to thank you.
Tip #2 – Fish With The Right Bait
Let me ask you this: have you ever gone fishing with the wrong baits?
Okay, maybe if you're like me, you've never actually gone fishing, but just let's activate your imagination.
Picture yourself doing it. You're there, you're casting your line and you're waiting for hours. But nothing is biting!
And that's probably because you're not using what the fish is hungry for!!
While the same thing is happening when you're sending out generic resumes → it's like you're using the same bait for every type of fish.
It might work sometimes, but in today's fishpond of data science, it's NOT going to work because you're not giving yourself the best chances for success.
I used to make this mistake all the time.
I'd send the same resume to every company, regardless of what they were looking for, and guess what? I was getting no bite.
So, how do you choose the right bait?
By tailoring. After you've made your list of 5–10 companies that you want to prioritize.
- Reach out to current employees (LinkedIn is great for this!) to get insider insights. More tips for networking on LinkedIn here.
- Showcase the skills and experiences you have that match what they're looking for.
- Use keywords from the job listing in your resume.
Why do you need to tailor?
First, because you need to make a great impression by NOT sending out a generic resume. This will show that you've gone the extra mile for this company – that you care.
Second, you have to do it because companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords.
Without tailoring, you have a 100% chance of never hearing back from top companies.
Trust me, I learned this the hard way!
When I started sending tailored resumes, my callback rate skyrocketed. I was essentially using the right bait for the right type of fish.
Tip #3 – Make That First Impression COUNT
Have you ever heard this saying?
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Well, with resumes, that first impression is EVERYTHING.
Think about it – Recruiters spend so much time sifting through stacks of resumes, and most of them only spend a few seconds, 5 to 10 at most on each of these resumes.
So if yours doesn't grab their attention right away, it's game over.
So how do you make sure your resume makes an amazing first impression?
Craft a killer header and clean formatting
- Create a bold, attention-grabbing header that summarizes your value proposition. Your header is probably your only chance to make a bold statement about what you are or who you are and what you're going to be bringing to the company, to the table. It needs to be specific, measurable if possible, and not generic.
- Keep your formatting clean, professional, and easy on the eyes. Think of it like dressing up for a first date – you want to look polished, put together, and beautiful.
- If you're feeling creative, add a unique touch (like making your resume look like a Spotify playlist – yes, I've seen it done!).
The goal? Make that recruiter think: "I need to meet this person RIGHT NOW."
When I nailed my first impression, amazing things started happening. But remember, it only works if you're qualified for the role!
Tip #4 – Pick The Most Relevant Achievements
When I first started making my resume, I thought the key was to include every single thing I had ever achieved, every single class I have ever taken, every project, every award…. my whole life, basically.
But it's like trying to tell someone your entire life story all at once, on the first date:
Too much, too soon, and most of it doesn't even matter, because it's not even relevant for the job you're applying for.
The trick here is to be strategic!
You need to present your achievements to showcase only the ones that are the most impressive and relevant to the company you're applying to.
Showcase your best assets
- Rank your achievements based on impact and related relevance to the job.
- For a machine learning job? Highlight your top ML projects and courses.
- Going for a leadership role? Showcase times you've led teams to victory in a hackathon.
Make every bullet count. You want the recruiter to think, "Wow, this person has done amazing things that are directly relevant to what we need!"
Tip #5 – How to REALLY Stand Out
Are you ready for the secret ingredient? The one thing that I swear made all the difference in landing me my dream job at Spotify.
It's all about showcasing what makes you YOU – your very own superpower.
It may sound cheesy putting it this way, but when I was applying to Spotify, I knew the competition was fierce so I needed something to make me stand out.
I thought maybe my violin skills would set me apart (you know, because of music). But after I got the job, I found out something surprising.
One of my coworkers had handpicked my resume from the pile, and the reason why?
Because I had a dual background in business and data science.
I spent years thinking that my business degree was useless. I even regretted pursuing a business bachelor.
So, I never thought in a single life that it would be the factor that would help me land my dream job.
My coworker told me that the best data scientist he had worked with could crunch the numbers, but also think about the big picture – how everything affected the business _(because companies are businesses)._
Find your unique edge
- Take a hard look at what makes you unique. Is it a rare skill combination? A distinctive background? Your specific domain knowledge is your greatest asset, so use it!
- Ask friends or mentors/professors what they think sets you apart.
- Highlight this unique aspect prominently in your application.
Whatever it is, make sure you're showcasing it. It could be the key that unlocks your dream job!
There you have it – the five strategies that took me from endless rejections to landing my dream job at Spotify.
I know how tough the Job Search can be. It's an emotional rollercoaster, and it's easy to get discouraged.
But trust me, if you stay strategic, tailor your approach, and most importantly, believe in your unique value, amazing things can happen!
Keep pushing forward, keep refining your approach, and keep believing in yourself. You've got something unique and valuable to offer – now it's time to show the world what you've got!
Remember, a great Resume is just the first step. It gets you the interview, but nailing that interview is a whole other story.
So, make sure to check out my other articles on acing tech interviews and landing your dream job in data science!
How I Landed a Spotify Data Science Internship: My Guide to Get Into Top Tech
Don't Apply for Data Science Jobs Without This 3-Step Strategy
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