To craft an impactful software developer resume, highlight your strongest technical skills using tangible examples from your professional career. Along with listing skills on your resume, show hiring managers how you’ve used various technologies and programming languages to execute specific projects.
Companies are drawn to candidates with a proven track record of creating value for their teams and organizations. If you played an instrumental role in integrating new software architecture and infrastructure, you might emphasize the impact this had on the business’s ability to scale. These insights will go a long way in differentiating you from the competition during your job search. Throughout this guide, we’ll help you translate your technical skills and experience into an accomplishment-driven resume.
Software Engineer Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)
Entry-Level Resume Example
Why this software developer resume example is strong:
This entry-level software developer prioritizes their key skills over their limited work experience to show hiring managers they have the necessary qualifications.
Mid-Career Resume Example
Why this software developer resume example is strong:
This software developer candidate listed important statistics about their professional accomplishments using easy-to-read bullet points under their work experience listings.
Senior-Level Resume Example
Why this software developer resume example is strong:
This senior-level candidate described their career in a robust profile section and included bulleted lists showcasing their professional accomplishments, certifications, and skills throughout their resume.
Software Engineer Resume Example
Why this software engineer resume example is strong:
This software engineer candidate used statistics to show their professional responsibilities and accomplishments, giving hiring managers a concrete view of their previous employment.
Senior Software Developer Resume Example
Why this senior software developer resume example is strong:
This senior-level candidate utilized the profile section to detail their career highlights so hiring managers see a broad view of their career right away.
Senior Software Engineer Resume Example
Why this senior software engineer resume example is strong:
A senior software engineer has a lot of technical skills and certifications. So, these technical accomplishments are listed in bulleted lists that are easy to read to make the resume scannable for hiring managers.
Software Engineer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Software Developer Resume
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
Craft an impactful summary at the top of your resume to grab the hiring manager’s attention. The key to creating a strong professional profile is to create a snapshot of your career that illustrates your most relevant qualifications for the job. For instance, if you’re pursuing a software developer job centered around creating new features to enhance app functionality and drive user satisfaction, feature this experience directly in the profile.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A lead software developer with over 10 years of experience developing innovative software solutions and applications for enterprise customers. A proven track record of building and leading diverse development teams throughout all phases of Software Development Lifecycles (SDLC). Adept at coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders to execute multi-million-dollar technology projects.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A software developer with entry-level experience specializing in user interface (UI) design, application development, data security, and continuous improvement. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance the user experience (UX) and develop new features to improve app functionality.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your professional experience section should center on specific accomplishments demonstrating your technical expertise as a software developer. Hiring managers value candidates with keen attention to detail, so leverage hard numbers and data to establish a scope for your software development projects. For instance, if you played a role in developing and launching a successful mobile application, draw attention to the number of downloads or users.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Software Developer, Cadence Technologies, New York, NY
October 2017 – Present
- Oversee the design, development, and launch of innovative software applications for enterprise customer accounts valued at $400,000 to $1.3 million, serve as the point of contact for stakeholders, and ensure alignment with business requirements
- Identify opportunities to automate manual testing processes, resulting in a 10% reduction in work hours and a 5% improvement in project delivery times
- Build, manage, and develop a team of over 15 software developers and engineers, oversee recruitment activities, coordinate project priorities, and provide mentorship to drive professional development
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Junior Software Developer, Doc Stock Inc., San Francisco, CA
June 2022 – Present
- Identify opportunities to develop new features and enhance the UI for web and mobile applications impacting over 100,000 internal users
- Attend daily standups and Scrum meetings to discuss project roadblocks, status updates, and solutions and consistently achieve all project milestones
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Obtaining additional certifications is essential for advancing your career within the technology industry. Although your work experience will always be the determining factor, pursuing more certifications will help further illustrate your technical knowledge and skill sets. Agile, Scrum, and project management certifications are highly recommended, as these apply to any software development position you apply for.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), IEEE, 2016
- Certified Scrum Master, Scrum Alliance, 2015
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
- University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA June 2022
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
As a tech professional, you already understand the value of automating common processes to increase efficiency. The hiring process is no different, as most companies rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific skill sets and keywords. If your document lacks key terms, your application may be rejected before it reaches the hiring manager. Incorporating key skills into your resume will significantly increase your odds of landing the interview. Below, you’ll find a list of key terms you may encounter during the job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Agile software development | AngularJS |
| Application development | Asp.net |
| Azure | Back-end development |
| C# | Communication |
| Cross-functional leadership | Data analytics |
| Database management | Feature development |
| Front-end development | Java |
| Project management | Python |
| Scrum | SDLC |
| SQL | Technical project management |
| Web development | |
How To Pick the Best Software Developer Resume Template
Often, a simple resume template with a straightforward top-down approach is best. If you select a template with flashy colors and bulky graphics, you risk drawing the hiring manager’s eye away from your qualifications and achievements. A limited use of color is acceptable, but be sure you aren’t distracting the reader from your content, as your experience will always be the deciding factor in whether or not you receive an interview.
Frequently Asked Questions: Software Developer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for software developer resumes?-
Running out of action verbs during resume-building is easy, especially for a technical professional. You can often use only a few verbs to describe your job responsibilities and career achievements. That being said, it’s important to diversify your usage of action verbs to keep your bullet points fresh and compelling. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs to craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Communicated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Designed | Developed |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Improved | Led |
| Managed | Monitored |
| Oversaw | Performed |
| Provided | Resolved |
| Supported | Troubleshoot |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Qualified software developers have a wide range of job options and career trajectories. With so much of the future hinging on technological tools and advancements, it’s no surprise that software development professionals enjoy a great job outlook. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the job market for these pros is set to increase by 25% from 2021 through 2031, much faster than the average for all other jobs within the nation.
Despite this positive outlook, you must align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities. If an organization is looking for a software developer with strong project management knowledge, you'd highlight your Agile and Scrum experience throughout the SDLC
If a company is seeking a developer with a background in application development, highlight your experience developing new features and functionalities for users. Tailoring your resume to the job posting will significantly increase your chances of landing the interview.
What is the best software developer resume format?-
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for software developers, ensuring that your most recent work experience is featured towards the top of your document. Avoid using a functional resume format that focuses only on skills, even at the entry level. If you need hands-on work experience, you should instead focus on detailing academic projects to showcase your programming skills.
Should my software developer resume be one or two pages?-
Your software developer resume should ideally be one page, especially if you have fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can be effective for seasoned professionals with a longer track record if it highlights accomplishments and skills directly relevant to the job. Every detail should add value and strengthen your candidacy.
Limit your work experience to the past 10 to 15 years, unless earlier positions are highly relevant. Keeping your resume concise and targeted will make a strong and memorable impression on potential employers.
A matching cover letter can be a helpful tool that allows you to illustrate the nuances of your technology experience. More importantly, it lets you tell the hiring manager you’re the ideal fit for their organization.
In the middle paragraphs, take the time to mention something about the company's reputation or work culture and why you're drawn to apply for the position. For most information, view our software developer cover letter guide.
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