Sahil Dua’s journey into the world of software and computer science had an unconventional start – a robotics competition during his first year of college in Delhi, where he pursued electronics engineering. While tinkering with robots with his peers, he discovered his true passion lay in software rather than hardware, prompting him to dive into self-learning outside the classroom.
Throughout his three years at university, Dua delved into coding, explored different operating systems, and dabbled in networks, all through self-study. He put his newfound skills to the test in various tech internships and even co-founded a startup.
Unlike many of his peers who relied solely on university placements, Dua took a proactive approach, applying to jobs both domestically and overseas.
His résumé, which landed him a software development graduate program role at Booking.com and later a software engineering position at Google, was a critical tool in his job search. Reflecting on his résumé, Dua highlighted two key elements that helped him stand out – emphasizing his projects and using a unique format.
Dedicating a section to projects showcased his practical experience and gave interviewers talking points, particularly since he lacked extensive job experience. Additionally, his two-column résumé template caught attention without being overly unconventional.
However, Dua acknowledges areas for improvement if he were starting his career today. He would enhance his profile by focusing on building a personal brand, including achievements like speaking at technical conferences, and making himself more searchable online by optimizing his LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords and showcasing his ongoing learning endeavors.
This approach aligns with career experts’ recommendations, who emphasize the importance of keyword optimization and clearly defining roles and achievements on LinkedIn to attract recruiters’ attention. By continuously refining his profile and leveraging his experiences, Dua has carved a successful path in the tech industry.
