How To Write a Software Developer Resume
To craft an impactful software developer resume, you’ll want to highlight your strongest technical skills using tangible examples from your professional career. Although you want to list skills on your resume, you also want to show hiring managers how you’ve used various technologies and programming languages to execute specific projects.
Companies are drawn to candidates who have 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 want to 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.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
You’ll need to craft a compelling 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 that is centered around creating new features to enhance app functionality and drive user satisfaction, you should feature this experience directly in the profile.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Lead Software Developer with 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 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 design, application development, data security, and continuous improvement. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance the user experience and develop new features to improve app functionality.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your professional experience section should be centered around specific accomplishments that demonstrate your technical expertise as a software developer. Hiring managers value candidates with keen attention to detail, so you’ll want to leverage hard numbers and data to establish a sense of scope for your software development projects. For instance, if you played a role in developing and launching a successful mobile application, you’d want to 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 $400K-$1.3M, 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 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 user interface for web and mobile applications impacting over 100K internal users
- Attend daily standups and Scrum meetings to discuss project roadblocks, status updates, and solutions and consistently achieved 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 type of software development position you apply for.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), IEEE, 2016
- Certified Scrum Master, Scrum Alliance, 2015
- CompTIA A+, 2013
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 September 2018 – 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 a certain number of 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 | Software Development Lifecycles (SDLC) |
| SQL | Technical Project Management |
| Web Development | |
How to Pick the Best Software Developer Resume Template
In most instances, it’s best to use a simple resume template with a straightforward top-down approach. If you select a template with flashy colors and bulky graphics, you run the risk of drawing the hiring manager’s eye away from your qualifications and achievements. A limited use of color is acceptable but be sure that 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.
Software Developer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
John Bergsen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A Software Developer with entry-level experience specializing in user interface design, application development, data security, and continuous improvement. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance the user experience and develop new features to improve app functionality.
Key Skills
- HTML, Java, and C++
- Feature Development
- Continuous Improvement
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Application Development
Professional Experience
Junior Software Developer, Doc Stock Inc., San Francisco, CA
June 2022 – Present
- Identify opportunities to develop new features and enhance the user interface for web and mobile applications impacting over 100K internal users
- Attend daily standups and Scrum meetings to discuss project roadblocks, status updates, and solutions and consistently achieved all project milestones
Academic Projects
Software Development Projects, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
September 2021 – June 2022
- Developed an application in Python to enable users to track and manage subscription services, including a feature to compare service costs and analyze monthly and annual costs
- Coordinated with a team of three students to design a mobile application in JavaScript, which enabled users to filter local tourist spots and restaurants during domestic travel
Certifications
- CompTIA A+, 2022
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA September 2018 – June 2022
Cameron Malfara
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A Software Developer with seven years of experience specializing in Agile software development, back-end development, Python, and web development. A strong history of developing innovative application features and software solutions to enhance the user experience.
Professional Experience
Software Developer, Lore Gaming, San Diego, CA
November 2019 – Present
- Develop system architecture to streamline bandwidth and reduce downtime and lag for outside users by up to 20% in coordination with a team of 10+ software developers
- Collaborate with gaming designers to create interactive solutions and drive user engagement, including the integration of a new matchmaking feature to improve the multiplayer experience
- Supported the integration of an Agile-Waterfall hybrid methodology to improve the SDLC, resulting in a 15% reduction in project delivery timelines
Software Developer, Ark Tech Solutions Inc., San Diego, CA
June 2016 – November 2019
- Collaborated with a team of application developers and software engineers to design a mobile application in Python for recruiters and jobseekers, which resulted in over 3M downloads to date
- Increased user engagement and satisfaction by 30% by developing new application features to improve access management and app functionality
Certifications
- Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), IEEE, 2018
- CompTIA A+, 2016
Key Skills
- Java, Python, and C++
- MySQL
- User Interface Design
- Software Development
- Quality Assurance Testing
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Software Engineering
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2012 – June 2016
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A Lead Software Developer with 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 SDLC. Adept at coordinating with cross-functional stakeholders to execute multi-million-dollar technology projects.
Professional Experience
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 $400K-$1.3M, 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 15+ software developers and engineers, oversee recruitment activities, coordinate project priorities, and provide mentorship to drive professional development
Software Developer, Angel Investments, New York, NY
June 2013 – October 2017
- Served as the technical project lead to design and implement mission-critical software solutions for a $10M investment firm, including the development of new dashboards to enhance data visualization for financial analysts and investment bankers
- Coordinated quality assurance and business user testing, created training documentation, and identified opportunities to improve the user experience through the implementation of new features
Certifications
- Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), IEEE, 2016
- Certified Scrum Master, Scrum Alliance, 2015
- CompTIA A+, 2013
Key Skills
- Application Development
- Python, Java, C++
- Agile Software Development
- Technical Project Management
- Cross-functional Leadership
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2009 – June 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Software Developer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for software developer resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs during the resume-building process, especially as a technical professional. In many instances, there’s only a limited number of verbs you can use 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 you can use to craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Coordinated |
| Communicated | Conducted |
| 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 that 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’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities. If an organization is looking for a software developer with a strong knowledge of project management, you’d want to highlight your experience using Agile and Scrum throughout the software development lifecycle. If a company is seeking a developer with a background in application development, you should focus on highlighting your experience developing new features and functionalities for users. By tailoring your resume to the job posting, you’ll 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, as this ensures that your most recent work experience is featured towards the top of your document. Even at the entry level, you’d want to avoid using a functional resume format that only focuses on skills. If you lack hands-on work experience, you should instead focus on detailing academic projects to showcase your programming skills.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
A matching cover letter can be a helpful tool that allows you to illustrate the nuances of your technology experience. More importantly, it enables you to make a case to the hiring manager that 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.