Software Developer Resume Templates and Examples for 2024

Software Developer Resume Templates and Examples (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

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From small businesses to giant corporations, owners depend on software developers to create, maintain, and repair the digital systems that drive their operations. Your resume should demonstrate an ability to partner with cross-functional teams and develop reliable software to meet user needs and business goals. This guide will equip you with strategies for writing a software developer resume that highlights the best of your programming skills and experiences.

Key takeaways:

• Emphasize technical ability: Immediately communicate your relevant technical skills in the resume profile so hiring managers know exactly where your software development expertise lies.
• Use numbers to quantify: When describing your work history and past achievements, use metrics to demonstrate your impact on things such as system performance and user engagement.
• Optimize with keywords: With many employers relying on applicant tracking systems (ATS), be sure to include keywords from the job description throughout your resume.

How To Write a Software Developer Resume Example

The best way to showcase your unique skills and qualifications is to start with a professional resume template. Your software developer resume should include these sections:

• Contact information
• Profile
• Key skills
• Professional experience
• Education and certifications

1. Share your contact information

If hiring managers like what they read on your resume, they need an easy way to contact you. At the top of the page, list your full name, phone number, email address, and location. To help employers further understand who you are, consider including a link to your online professional profile and GitHub repository, if you have one.

2. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

To immediately engage the hiring manager, your resume profile should provide all the key details they need to know about you as a software developer. This is your chance to make a strong first impression and pique the reader’s interest. From your job title to your industry expertise, show that you align with the main requirements of the position.

If you’re certified in cloud computing or are responsible for a team of developers, mention that as well. Or, perhaps you have advanced proficiency in the main programming language the company uses. Highlight this in your profile and other qualities that make you the best candidate.

3. Add your software developer experience with compelling examples

Hiring managers need to know you have enough experience to excel in the role. As a software developer, that means including examples of time spent working on relevant projects. When giving an account of your work history, create bullet points that present even a simple task, like updating content on a web page, as an accomplishment. Using action verbs and numbers can help with this.

Even if you don’t have much paid experience, you can describe personal projects or what you learned in an internship. Maybe you tackled a group project designing an app at school or volunteered to build out a nonprofit’s website. Show you can perform the basic duties of the job while highlighting your ability to collaborate well and achieve results.

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

Quantify responsibilities and accomplishments from previous roles by using concrete numbers. For example, you could mention the number of support tickets you’ve completed or a percentage increase in app performance and user engagement. This shows your technical skills in action and proves that you can bring tangible value to a company.

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application

To have the best chances of landing an interview, align your resume with the specific job requirements and company culture of each position you apply for. Do this by reviewing job descriptions carefully. Identify key software development skills and qualifications the company is looking for and incorporate these into your resume.

Make an effort to use some of the same language and industry-specific keywords they use. For instance, if the job ad mentions things like “cloud computing” and “containerization,” and you have relevant experience, use those key phrases in your resume. Include them in a key skills list or go into greater detail in the work history section.

What if you don’t have experience?

If you’re an entry-level software developer without paid experience, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to create a strong resume that will catch the attention of potential employers. Focus on highlighting any coursework, projects, or internships you’ve completed that demonstrate your skills and knowledge of relevant programming languages.

Feel free to include extracurricular activities or personal projects that showcase your passion for the field. Emphasize your willingness to learn, ability to work with others, and self-starter attitude. Consider obtaining a relevant certification or taking online courses to bolster your skills and make your resume stand out.

4. List any education and certifications relevant to software development

The typical education requirements for a software developer start with a four-year degree. However, many employers are most concerned with your ability to code, understand basic computer science principles, and work well on a team. So, start with your highest level of education and list the school name, location, and dates of attendance.

If you lack professional experience or formal education, include any specialized certifications you may have, whether earned from a coding bootcamp or an online learning site like Coursera. Showing that you have at least a baseline foundation of programming knowledge can help bridge the gap of any missing academic requirements.

5. List key skills and proficiencies for software development

Show off your technical and interpersonal abilities while optimizing your resume for ATS with a key skills section. Name significant coding languages that you’re proficient in and include soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. Show that you can execute essential job duties while remaining professional and respectful of others.

Here’s a list of skills you may want to include in your software developer resume:

Resume writer’s tip: Use specific action verbs

In your professional experience section, use strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. These words help convey your impact in previous roles and add energy and authority to your software developer resume. Begin each bullet point with an action verb to communicate how you executed your duties and achieved results. The list of action verbs below will help get you started:

How To Pick the Best Software Developer Resume Template

Before you start writing, you’ll need to pick an appropriate template. The best resume template for software developers will be simple and well-organized. Look for a layout that clearly displays your technical skills and relevant experience in a way that makes it easy to scan. Opt for classic fonts and minimal graphics. While it’s nice to have an aesthetically pleasing resume, hiring managers are most interested in your software development abilities.

Software Developer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Developer Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a software developer job description?

Listed as one of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations, software developers are projected to be in high demand over the next decade. However, the industry continues to experience job cuts as it bounces back from a surplus of new hires amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the increase in demand, competition is tough, and you’ll need a well-written resume that aligns with the job description.

After reading a job ad for the software developer position you’re applying for, consider what the employer needs. For example, suppose the job description mentions a need for strong proficiency in React. In that scenario, you would highlight specific projects in which you’ve used this JavaScript library to build out user interfaces for web applications.

What is the best software developer resume format?

As an information technology professional, your technical skills are the foundation of your career, and a combination format offers the best layout for a software developer resume. After a brief profile section, a key skills list gives hiring managers a clear view of your most relevant abilities. Then, similar to a chronological resume, your work history, education, and certifications round out the rest of the page.

Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume

To connect with hiring managers and explain why you’re the best software developer for the job, write a cover letter for your application. This one-page addition provides a chance to give insights into your software development career. A well-written cover letter that speaks to the needs of the employer will increase your chances of landing an interview and your dream developer job.

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Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

A resume should be a forward-looking value proposition that showcases your most relevant accomplishments for a target role — not a rear view summary of your previous roles and responsibilities.