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A resume is an essential tool for the interviewer to assess your abilities. So it is imperative to cover all bases, especially when it comes to technical job profiles like that of a software developer. Paired with a few practical examples, this guide will help you write the perfect resume tailored to your needs.
Explore our entire collection of downloadable resume examples and our free and premium resume templates to help you get your next job!
Software Developer Resume
This software developer resume is a standard example you can reference to get an idea of a resume’s sections, formatting and crucial information. Refer to this example and always include the following in your resume:
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Before sitting down to write your resume, you must gather all your materials and necessary information to tackle this task. To help you prepare, we have selected a list of pointers to keep in mind while drafting your resume outline:
All resumes fall under three resume formats, chronological, functional and combination. These resume formats help you organize your resume to highlight your strengths and downplay any weaknesses efficiently.
A chronological resume emphasizes the applicant’s work experience; therefore, candidates with more than 10 years of software development experience should opt for this format.
Functional resumes are also known as skill-based resumes because they have multiple sections dedicated to qualifications and skills. Focusing on skills makes this format a perfect choice for entry-level developers.
A combination resume equally highlights the work experience and skills.. That format is an excellent option that works for many candidates, mainly those applying for senior roles or changing careers.
Our resume formats guide can further help you differentiate between the three formats.
Chronological
Functional
Combination
We've created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to building a software developer resume in no time. Follow the tips provided below, along with a few practical examples, to customize the resume specific to your needs.
1. Spruce up your career objective.
Your opening statement functions as a first introduction to a potential employer, so it's crucial you include the most impactful information.
You can write an opening statement in two ways: a career objective or a summary statement. A career objective is most suitable for entry-level job seekers and individuals changing their field of work since it focuses more on a candidate's goals. On the other hand, a summary statement uses quantifiable figures to showcase the candidate's expertise in the field, hence more suited for experienced individuals.
Let’s assume you worked as an application software developer intern for six months and are looking for a full-time role. Your aim should be to fit your education experience and your tasks and accomplishments concisely.
Compare the following examples of a career objective:
Poor example:
“I am looking for an entry-level software developer role. I am passionate about developing applications and have a penchant for learning and picking up new skills.”
This failed example tells us nothing about the candidate’s qualifications and instead describes their interest in the subject matter.
Good example:
“Entry-level Software Developer knowledgeable in designing, developing and testing applications. Assisted in maintaining large-scale deployed software projects. Proficient in working with Java, Python and SQL.”
The reasons the above example works better than the previous poor example are that:
Now instead, if you were to use the summary statement approach, the following tips would come in handy:
Study this summary statement example and choose your strategy wisely:
“Software Developer with over four years of experience coordinating coding projects. Equipped with cutting-edge programming expertise with a background in iOS and Android mobile development.”
2. Showcase your work history.
Work experience is an essential part of any resume but simply stating your years of employment isn't enough. Working on multiple projects makes you a stronger contender for a software developer role. So, it is essential to mention the tasks and achievements you’ve accomplished during your tenure under every job entry.
The following examples will help you compare a good work history entry with a bad one.
Poor example:
Work History
The vagueness of this example makes it another generic entry in the work history section. You could elaborate much more on the specifics of the accomplishments, such as the number of applications, hours worked or departments you collaborated with.
Good example:
Work History
Even though the above example is technically similar to the poor example, mentioning technical terms solidifies the candidate's knowledge of the field, assuring the recruiter of your capabilities.
The following are some additional tips to describe your previous job roles better:
The skills section is one of the crucial pillars of your resume. You should include at least one skills section with six to eight skills.
However, if you go for the functional resume format, the skill section takes up more space, with a dedicated expanded section to describe your achievements in detail.
The expanded skills section on a functional formatted resume looks like this:
Skills
Database development
The expanded skill section works for individuals trained for the job but lacking professional experience, meaning entry-level or career-shifting candidates often use functional formats.
Every resume should have a varied skill section with a mix of soft, hard and technical skills. The technical and hard skills have more weight for a software developer position as they are necessary for the role.
Soft Skills are equally important in your resume as they indicate your work style in an office environment and your personable qualities with co-workers. Some excellent soft skills for a software developer are:
Skills that aren't inherent but rather learned through experiences and education are hard skills. Some common hard skills for software developers are:
Technical skills refer to your proficiency in different programming languages, integrated applications, frameworks and coding environments. The necessary technical skills for a software developer are as follows:
Find more skills using the pre-written suggestions from our Resume Builder. Download one of many software developer resume templates and edit it on your preferred word processor for free!
A software developer role usually demands a technical bachelor’s degree with a computer science or web development major. While most employers won’t demand a master’s degree for this job, a higher degree will benefit you if you want a senior position that requires you to manage a team.
A software developer specializes either in application development or system development. Both these paths vary as an app developer is more specific to his creative tasks, whereas a systems developer manages the whole designing and implementation of an application.
You should list an education section in your resume, no matter your educational background. For candidates with more than one degree, make sure to list them in reverse chronological order. Always mention the degree's official title, the university name, the location of the university and dates of attendance or graduation, if applicable.
Having a dedicated section in your resume to showcase your certifications is a great way to validate your skills.
As a software developer, consider getting the following certifications:
IEEE Professional Software Developer Certification
This professional competency certification validates your knowledge as a software developer.
Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator (CMDBA)
It's essential to be versatile in your software developer skills, so learn about database administration and get certified by Oracle.
Software Development Lifecycle Specialization
This certification offered by the University of Minnesota is designed for beginners and professionals alike and gives you a deeper understanding of software development processes.
Web Design and Development Cornell Certificate Program
This front-end web development certificate gives you an overview of handling the user interface of an application.
Keep your contact information simple by listing your full name, the city and state you're from, your phone number and your professional email address.
Use these free downloadable resume templates loaded with writing tips and compatible with any word processor. Simply replace the filler text with your information, and consider yourself ready for the interview process!
A technical job demands a lot of skills, especially skills like Java and .NET Framework. A software developer, either in the application field or in the system's operation, must possess these three skills:
Standing out as a software developer would mean having a skill set that's as versatile as possible. A systems software developer handles the whole operation of developing an application, so having a solid core in both the front-end and the back-end would benefit them. Having a highly-skilled developer lets you train other employers and pitch in whenever and wherever needed, making you a precious asset.
A good objective statement should be clear and concise in its messaging. It should give enough information to inspire confidence in the recruiter. For example, as a software developer, starting with something like "Experienced Software Developer with a track record of building applications for well-known companies" keeps the recruiter reading and also intrigues them. Don't forget to clearly state your goals within the role and how you and the company would mutually benefit from your hiring.
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