Thanks everyone for the amazing advice! I'm going to start by using the free resources @Counconect and @Diane J. Hurt mentioned. If I'm not getting results after a few weeks, I'll consider a specialized tech resume writer service. @JobHunter2025 and @EngineerInTraining, would you mind sharing which specific writer/service you used? Feel free to DM me if you prefer. Really appreciate all the insights!
@FutureTechie i'm cs senior too, no internships, just personal projects & leetcode. my resume is basically "built x with y tech". i was thinking diy + ask profs, but after 40 apps with 0 responses i tried craftresumes (tech specialist writer). paid ~170, they did a call, asked about my full-stack app & algorithms project, rewrote to "developed scalable web app using React/Node/MongoDB handling 1k+ simulated users, optimized queries reducing latency 55%". added leetcode stats & github prominently. got 3 callbacks in 2 weeks. for cs majors — if you're applying to big tech, tech resume writer who knows the game is worth it.
@FutureTechie bootcamp grad here (no degree), same fear — general writers don't get tech acronyms or why "solved medium leetcode in O(n)" matters. i used resume writing lab (they had ex-google recruiter writer). they framed my bootcamp capstone as "led agile team of 5 to deliver full-stack e-commerce platform with Stripe integration and 99% uptime". added "solved 300+ leetcode problems (top 20% ranking)" section. callbacks from startups came fast. diy is fine for small companies, but for competitive cs roles tech resume writer makes you look pro.
@BootcampSurvivor that leetcode section is smart — i added it after craftresumes suggested. my old resume had no metrics, just "used python/java". they turned internship into "refactored legacy code reducing bugs by 40% in production api". also suggested tailoring versions for swe vs ml roles. sent 50 apps before — 1 response; after tech resume writer — 8 in same period. @FutureTechie if you're on fence, start with one that offers consultation and samples from cs — makes huge difference.
went with craftresumes after all the recs here, requested tech/cs specialist. just got draft: projects now have real impact numbers, skills matrix at top, leetcode/github highlighted, even added "familiar with system design concepts from personal projects". feels way more competitive for big tech apps. callbacks already trickling in after first 15 sends.
for cs majors reading this: diy works if you're great at writing & have strong projects, but if you're getting ghosted — tech resume writer who understands the field (like craftresumes or resume writing lab) can be game changer.