Resume Project Checklist
to
Land a $100,000+ Job in
2025
BASHIRI SMITH
Hey!
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
My name is Bashiri Smith.
In just under 12 months & without
a college degree or any work
experience, I received 2 offers for
more than $115,000 for my first job
as a software engineer.
Since then, I have gone on to earn
over $265,000p/y as a software
engineer and I have also founded
my own tech startup. (Interlade)
Throughout my journey to learn how to code, I've found that the
unique information to ACTUALLY land a job is hard to come by
regardless of if you go to college or a coding bootcamp.
My mission is to make it easy for anyone to change their life with
coding!
This guide is for aspiring coders who want to
earn $100k+ as a software engineer ASAP.
01
Project Idea Prompt
Below is an example of a carefully crafted “prompt” you could give GPT-4, designed
to elicit 10 unique, technically impressive, problem-solving coding projects that are
robust enough to impress potential employers. Feel free to modify or refine this
prompt to fit your specific needs or interests:
Prompt:
Role: You are a highly experienced software engineer and tech career advisor with
deep expertise in algorithm design, systems architecture, machine learning,
distributed computing, and full-stack development.
Task: Propose 10 unique, technically impressive, problem-solving coding projects
that a motivated software developer can build to significantly boost their portfolio
and attract attention from top-tier tech companies. Each project should highlight
diverse skill sets, showcase advanced problem-solving techniques, and have practical
real-world value. For each of the 10 projects, include the following details:
1. Project Title
• Provide a concise, descriptive name.
2. Project Overview
• Give a high-level summary of what the application or system does and why it is
impressive or valuable.
3. Key Features & Technical Complexity
• List the standout functionalities or unique selling points.
• Highlight the core problem-solving aspects, data structures, or algorithms
involved.
• Emphasize the technical depth, such as concurrency, distributed systems, or
advanced computations.
4. Technologies & Tools
• Specify relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, Go, TypeScript, Rust).
• Mention any major frameworks, libraries, or platforms (e.g., React, Flask, Node.js,
Kubernetes, TensorFlow).
• Include any additional tools or cloud services (e.g., Docker, AWS, GCP).
02
Project Idea Prompt
5. Challenges & Learning Opportunities
• Outline the main difficulties a developer would face and how they can tackle them.
• Note how building this project will enhance one’s skill set and preparedness for
technical interviews.
6. Potential Extensions
• Suggest ways to scale up, optimize further, or add more advanced features.
• Provide ideas for how this project could become even more impressive.
Additional Instructions:
• Ensure each project idea is unique and original. Avoid overlapping features or use-
cases.
• Aim for a wide range of technologies, including web, mobile, data engineering,
machine learning, systems design, and more.
• Assume the developer has intermediate coding skills but is looking to stretch their
capabilities to a more advanced level.
• Where relevant, indicate how the project can be tested or deployed for maximum
visibility to hiring managers.
• Make the projects sufficiently challenging to guarantee that a successful build will
stand out during interviews and on GitHub/portfolio sites.
Format: Present your answer as a numbered list of 10 project ideas, with each idea
structured using the headings outlined above (Project Title, Project Overview, Key
Features & Technical Complexity, Technologies & Tools, Challenges & Learning
Opportunities, and Potential Extensions).
Tip: When you submit this prompt to GPT-4, focus on the completion style of
request (e.g., “Continue” or “Propose your list…”). This will help GPT-4 generate a
comprehensive, clearly organized answer that meets all the specified requirements.
03 What is a
"Resume Quality" Project
Qualities of a Resume-Level Project
1. Complexity: Demonstrates a high level of technical skill and problem-solving
ability.
2. Scalability: Shows consideration for scalability and performance.
3. Usability: Has a well-designed user interface and user experience.
4. Documentation: Includes comprehensive documentation for both users and
developers.
5. Testing: Includes unit tests, integration tests, and possibly end-to-end tests.
6. Version Control: Uses version control with a well-documented commit history.
7. Deployment: Is deployed and accessible online, showcasing real-world usability.
Checklist to Pick Your Own Resume-Level Project
Identify a Problem: Choose a real-world problem that interests you.
Research Solutions: Investigate existing solutions and identify gaps or areas for
improvement.
Define Scope: Clearly define the scope of your project to ensure it is achievable
within a reasonable timeframe.
Plan Features: List the features your project will have and prioritize them.
Design Architecture: Plan the architecture of your project, considering
scalability and maintainability.
Develop Incrementally: Build your project incrementally, testing each feature as
you go.
Document Thoroughly: Write comprehensive documentation for your project.
Test Rigorously: Implement and run tests to ensure your project is robust and
reliable.
Deploy and Maintain: Deploy your project online and maintain it, fixing bugs
and adding improvements as needed.
04 Find & Work with
Teammates
The Importance of Teamwork
Working on a team is crucial for creating a resume-worthy project. Teamwork not only simulates
real-world software development environments but also offers numerous benefits:
Effective Communication: Learn to articulate your ideas and understand others'.
Diverse Perspectives: Gain insights and solutions from different viewpoints.
Task Division: Leverage individual strengths to tackle various project components efficiently.
Finding Teammates in a Community
To help you find and team up with other members of the community, follow these steps:
1. Join this FREE software engineering community: https://www.skool.com/become-a-
software-engineer/about
2. Introduce Yourself
Post a brief introduction in the community (under the TeamUp category), including
your skills, interests, and the type of project you want to work on. This helps others with
similar goals and complementary skills find you.
3. Create a Project Board
We have set up a dedicated space where you can pitch your project ideas and look for
teammates. Each post should include:
Project Description: What the project is about.
Required Skills: What skills are needed to complete the project.
Commitment Level: The expected time and effort.
4. Participate in Networking Events
Join our regular virtual meetups and networking events. These sessions provide
opportunities to discuss your projects and form teams. Keep an eye out for
announcements about these events.
Meetups to be scheduled!
5. Utilize Collaboration Tools
We recommend using tools that facilitate teamwork, such as:
GitHub: For version control.
Trello: For project management.
Slack: For communication.
By following these steps and engaging with your peers, you’ll be well on your way to creating a
project that stands out on your resume. Teamwork makes the dream work!
05 Get Your
Project Idea Verified
Before you start working on your resume-level project, it's crucial to ensure that
your idea meets the necessary criteria and will effectively showcase your skills to
potential employers. To get your project idea verified, you can reach out to me
directly.
How to Verify Your Project Idea
1. Outline Your Idea: Write a brief outline of your project idea, including the
problem it addresses, the features you plan to implement, and the technologies you
intend to use.
2. Contact Me: You can DM me or use the link on the last page to book a call with
me.
3. Receive Feedback: I will review your project idea and provide feedback,
suggestions, and verification to ensure it aligns with the qualities of a resume-level
project.
Why Verification is Important
Verifying your project idea helps you:
- Ensure your project demonstrates a high level of technical skill.
- Align your project with industry standards and expectations.
- Receive guidance on best practices and potential improvements.
- Increase your chances of impressing potential employers with a well-crafted
project.
Don't hesitate to reach out for verification; it's a critical step in your journey to becoming a
successful software engineer.
06 Still Need Help?
I know learning how to code on your own can be extremely
daunting and just make you feel so lost. I felt the same way
while I was on my journey. So now I help aspiring coders who
feel lost land their first $100,000+ coding job!
This mentorship is ONLY for serious people who want to land a
job ASAP.
If this sounds like you we can set up a call!
On the call, you and I will come up with a custom plan of action
personalized for you so you can see exactly how to become a
$100,000+ software engineer.
This call is completely FREE and is guaranteed to help you get
crystal clear on your next steps.
Fill out the form below and I will reach out to you ASAP!
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/8VbHZnjfk0r1Sx
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