The tech industry, like most modern industries, has very fierce competition for positions of developers, engineers, and analysts, just to name a few – the list is endless. One guy thought it would help to stand out by listing his MyIQ score on his resume, as it showcases that he is an analytical individual in his IT job interview. As a result, he wasn’t hired. Therefore, let’s look at what happened, what really matters, when you apply for an IT position.
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An Idea That Looked Good on Paper Only
Source: Unsplash
The MyIQ platform is an online service for cognitive abilities analysis. What is praised about it is its accuracy and the detailed reports it contains that can detail strengths such as logic or speed of thought. It is used by many IT professionals for self-improvement, for example, to improve their approach to algorithms and data handling.
Thus, our hero thought that his MyIQ score would be valuable in the interview. He had to appear as a person who could take up challenges. And yet, things did not go to plan. The hiring manager notices the score of 101 points and makes an offhand remark to that effect, ending the conversation. The candidate later confessed his sad story on Reddit in regard to not getting the job. The post I put myIQ score on my resume gathered many comments, where users rightly pointed out:
- Metrics like IQ rarely impress in IT;
- An average score of 101 is not the best trump card;
- Projects on GitHub speak louder about skills.
This is a classic example in the tech world, where it’s known that recruiters of major IT companies such as Amazon or Microsoft review concrete results and not general parameters. In this case, IQ sounds like a curiosity rather than an argument.
We recommend using MyIQ only for studying. For example, if weak data processing speed was found in the test, practice LeetCode tasks or take up a challenging project based on algorithms. This turns analysis into action. However, it is evident that including your scores, such as an average one, is not good on your resume.
How To Stand Out for an IT Job Without Risks
In fact, we have a plethora of ways to make yourself known without using weird metrics. The secret is to create a killer resume and follow a sound personal branding strategy. And there’s no magic formula; IT recruiters have always advised to focus on achievements:
- Pet projects: Have you built a chatbot for Messenger? Developed a website using React? These aren’t just hobbies – they’re proof of your skills. Add a link to your resume and briefly describe what the project solves. For example, “created a parser that saved 10 hours of manual work.”
- Experience cases: Highlight specific results – “optimized a database, speeding up queries by 60%.” Such details grab recruiters’ attention, especially when supported by figures or a tech stack (Python, SQL, Docker)
- Brief summary (3-4 lines): “Frontend developer with 3 years of experience in UI optimization and API integration.” Next, include sections for projects, skills, and certifications. Vague phrases like ‘responsible’ are to be avoided; stick with facts.
A solid resume is a story showcasing how you apply technology. Clearly, a phrase like “reduced loading time by 40%” has more impact than abstract metrics like IQ, while links to real projects demonstrate your skills in action.
An Example of a Correct Approach to Interview for an IT Job
The perfect approach starts with a concise yet captivating summary:
For example: “Full-stack developer with 4 years of experience in building scalable applications on Node.js and React.” Next, outline your skills and technologies. It’s important not to list everything but to choose what’s relevant to the position. For instance: “TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Docker – 3+ years in production.” If you have certifications, include them: “AWS Certified Solutions Architect” or “Google Data Engineer” instantly adds value to your resume.
The format could be as follows:
- Summary: “Backend engineer specializing in microservices and API optimization.”
- Projects: “Developed an ETL pipeline in Python, increasing data processing speed by 50%.”
- Skills: “Golang, Kubernetes, Redis – experienced in high-load systems.”
- Certifications: “Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, 2024.”
After each section, add a couple of lines to “bring the text to life.” For example, “These projects stemmed from real challenges – from tight deadlines to production failures – and each marked a step forward.”
Another crucial detail is links. If you have a GitHub with working code or a portfolio with prototypes, include them. IT recruiters love it when they can “get a feel” for your work. For example: “Created an open-source log parsing tool – 200+ stars on GitHub.” This isn’t just a line but proof that you’re in the game. Recruiters are looking for those who can hit the ground running – whether it’s writing code, setting up CI/CD, or debugging systems.
Conclusion
MyIQ is fun to use; you learn about yourself and the skills you learned that are useful in IT. However, there are many in a career, evidence, code, projects, and results that technology recruiters need for an IT job. Learn what you can provide. Numbers all on their own mean nothing, but a resume with case studies and links to work will speak louder.
