Java Developer Resume: Free Templates, Examples & Essential Skills

As a Java Developer, you’re an expert in creating applications and software using the Java programming language, however, are you having trouble coming up with the correct codes for your resume? If that’s the case, take advantage of our personalized resume templates.

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ResumeGiants Team
Written by
ResumeGiants Team
Resume and Cover Letter Experts
Updated on January 31, 2023

Applying to your next java developer job?

According to Statista, about 33% of developers worldwide can code in Java programming language. Now that’s a lot of people to beat in the job market!

While writing clean code for unique, user-friendly software that can change the world, you’ll need a catchy resume to sway decisions in your favor in this heavily saturated niche.

Not everyone can build a strong resume that gets you interviewed for your next role. But we’ve got some pointers to help. In this guide, we’ll take you through the following;

  • How to write a resume objective and summary that introduces you memorably
  • How to craft a java developer resume that’s coded to the company requirements
  • The top skills every developer needs for resume success
  • Additional sections that’ll give you the upper hand in the job search

If building your resume from scratch seems stressful, take advantage of our efficient and free resume builder. With only a few clicks, you’ll let the real builders do all the work for you for free.

Java Developer Resume Sample

Before we get into those tips and tricks, let’s look at this java developer resume sample. Our Full Stack Developer resume might also spark a few creative cords.

Resume Example
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[Lauretta Festus]

[Java Developer]

Laramie, WY 12123 |   109-381-8726   |  lfestus@gmail.com

Objective

Enthusiastic and teachable computer science graduate with 2 years experience working with agencies to create user-friendly, functional, and fast mobile and desktop apps. Adept at writing clean and efficient code. Well-versed in Java, JavaScript, HTML, and Python. Seeking an opportunity to grow while working on the software development team at NetPro.

Experience 

Associate Java Developer

Encase | Laramie, WY

August 2019 – Present

  • Wrote clean, scalable code for 5+ mobile apps.
  • Implemented REST and SOAP in building and implementing web services.
  • Collaborated with system analysts in the collection and translation of requirements to technical solution architecture.

Java Developer Intern

YouBuild Developers| Laramie, WY

September 2018 – August 2019

  • Achieved a 15% success rate by supporting junior java developers in testing lines of code.
  • Contributed significant perspectives during peer reviews and coding project meetings.
  • Designed method for implementing strategies developed by the development team resulting in a 10% increase in efficiency.

Education 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY

2014 – 2018

  • Cumulative GPA: 3.9
  • Relevant Coursework: Software Engineering and Development, Programming Languages, Operating Systems

Skills

  • Soft skills: Communication, creative problem-solving, teachability, adaptability
  • Hard skills: Familiarity with spring frameworks, web technologies, Github, Application containers, and Java systems

Certifications

  • Java SE Associate – 2019
  • Java SE Professional – 2020

What’s the Best Java Developer Resume Format?

A resume format refers to how each section is arranged and structured to pass your message succinctly. 

There are three basic types of resume format: functional, reverse-chronological, and hybrid

These formats each have where they shine, but the industry standard java developer resume format is the hybrid format except where other options are necessary or specifically requested. 

Whether you’re applying for an entry-level position or a senior java developer role, your resume should contain the following information:

  • Heading (with name, phone number, email address, and location. You might also want to add your GitHub, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile links)
  • Summary or objective
  • Relevant work experience
  • Soft and hard skill
  • Academic background
  • Any additional sections relevant to your application

Extra Design Tips and Tricks

In addition, you should dot your i’s and cross your t’s on your resume by following some extra tips. Try these:

  • Write in font size 11 or 12.
  • Draw attention where necessary by using bullet points, bold, italics, and a larger font size.
  • Save your resume in a word document and PDF so your resume will appear the same on any device it’s opened.

How to Write a Java Developer Resume Summary or Resume Objective

A resume objective and summary are similar, but distinct options for introducing the rest of your resume. Either of them provides a 2-3 sentence paragraph summary of the resume.

  • A resume summary summarizes the extensive skills, experience, and achievements of an experienced or senior java developer
  • A resume objective helps an entry-level or newbie java developer highlight their skills and present a case for their career objectives in an entry-level java developer resume

From these few sentences, the reader should be able to tell if they should keep reading. 

Most hiring teams make a decision about whether to read or pass on a resume within just a few seconds. 

As a result, it’s crucial that your objective or summary is packed full of eye-grabbing details and achievements. What makes you the best fit for the job?

To quickly grab the reader’s attention, it’s a good idea to go through the job advert and take note of keywords and specific requirements

If the company is requesting a developer who knows Java, Python, and HTML, you should mention it right away in your summary or objective.

This way, they’ll know you meet the basic requirements and would be willing to read the rest of the resume without fear of having their time wasted. 

Here’s a quick formula to follow as you consider what to include in either your summary or objective:

  • Professional title
  • Key experiences
  • Top achievements with measurable numeric results
  • Relevant, unique, and top skills as required in the job description 
  • For your objective, follow the same format but include a career objective stating what you hope to achieve

Java Developer Resume Summary Examples

Here are a couple of java developer summary examples for a senior developer resume:

Wrong ❌

Proven Java Developer with 7+ years of experience in software development looking to bring my expertise into your organization to boost growth.

Right ✅

Java developer with 7+ years of proven experience developing and delivering user-centered mobile software in the eCommerce industry. High technical ability in programming languages like HTML, C++, and JavaScript. Looking to join your development team at Joint Creators and create culturally relevant mobile software.

After reading both examples, you’ll notice that the second java developer resume example provides a more detailed view of this candidate’s skills and experience

They also give numerical insights, use keywords for java developer resumes like user-centered, and mention the company’s name to grab attention.

How to Write an Entry-Level Java Developer Resume Objective

We get it. You’re trying to advance your career, and you want to prove yourself in your entry-level java developer resume. 

It’s understandable, then, to feel a bit overwhelmed by the thought of summarizing your work experience and achievements in just a few sentences. 

Luckily, cracking the code of a strong resume objective is well within your wheelhouse.

By following a few pointers, you should be able to craft a stellar entry-level resume objective for your java developer resume, regardless of your experience level.

💡 top tip

Let go of the pressure to embellish or exaggerate your achievements. Instead, maintain honesty while promoting your skills to the reader with keywords and metrics. Hone in on your strongest Java developer skills; resumes that contain specific examples of what you can do are often the most unique and most likely to land an interview.

Secondly, let the hiring manager see your potential right from the start. 

For entry-level positions, hiring teams want to know you’re a self-starter who can work with a team and still be teachable, solve problems and follow instructions while being creative.  

Show the hiring manager what you already have and what you hope to achieve on their team with these skills.

Entry-Level Java Developer Resume Objectives

Need some examples of an entry-level java developer resume objective? Here are two examples of the right and wrong ways to write a resume objective.

Wrong ❌

New computer science graduate looking for opportunities to practice java development skills and build industry experience. Would be glad if given a chance to work at your organization.

What do you think is wrong with this example?

First, it reads like this applicant is more interested in having a job in general than in applying to the specific job posting they’re responding to. 

While it’s tempting to opt for general language that can be applied to multiple resumes at once, write your objective with a clear goal in mind so that the hiring manager sees you as the best fit for the job.

The example above also doesn’t make use of keywords or skills and key achievements in describing who this candidate is. 

Overall, the hiring manager would be less inclined to read the rest of the resume than they were before they read this objective. 

For a better example, here’s how to write your entry-level java developer resume objective:

Right ✅

Enthusiastic and passionate computer science graduate with a proven ability to collaborate with teams in developing and launching software products within given deadlines. Utilized undergraduate education to learn Java, Javascript, and C/C++ and applied this skill in building two software projects. Looking for exciting opportunities to work to build meaningful projects in a developer-friendly agency like Coleslaw Enterprise.

From this example, you can tell that this candidate is passionate and ready to work and learn. 

They’ve clearly outlined their skills, what they’ve achieved by themselves, and what their current career objective is.

How to Describe Your Java Developer Experience

Your resume experience section is where you provide information about your past java developer roles and responsibilities in resume

To do this, you must read the job description thoroughly and take note of the job responsibilities. 

It might be tempting to reel out what you did at your previous jobs, but some may not be relevant to this particular role. So reading the job ad and taking notes is where you should start. 

Next, check if you have some experience in executing the advertised responsibilities. Write out your key achievements and pick out the most relevant ones.

Here are some tips to note:

  • Write in bullet points (like this) and keep it concise
  • Mention the impact you made in your previous role and back it up with measurable examples
  • Use reliable and confirmable metrics 
  • Use action verbs like improved, facilitated, launched, operated, programmed, etc.
  • Use three to five bullet points. 
  • Tailor your achievements to the job description with keywords for Java developer resumes
  • Demonstrate your knowledge of Java development by mentioning industry keywords

Java Developer Resume Examples: Experience

Talk is cheap, but an example of all that talk would help you even more. Here’s how to write your java developer resume work experience.

Right ✅

Senior Java Developer
Halifax Agency
October 2015 – January 2019

  • Oversaw the designing and development of 30+ java applications
  • Facilitated and contributed to discussions that produced architectural solutions
  • Performed analysis and developed solutions to technical issues 
  • Participated in the process of streamlining development processes resulting in a 15% increase in productivity

Wrong ❌

Senior Java Developer
Halifax Agency
October 2015 – January 2019

  • Responsible for designing java applications
  • Joined discussions about architectural solutions
  • Responsible for analyzing technical issues
  • Responsible for streamlining the development process

Between these two options, the first example uses metrics and descriptive action verbs to provide a clearer picture of their achievements at their last job.

The second example would only make the reader doze off with its lack of descriptive words and numeric evidence.

Entry-Level Java Developer Resume: Experience Section

When entering the industry, you’ll need more than just extracurriculars to get a job with your resume for a java developer entry-level application. 

While you may not have official work experience, you can try starting personal projects or volunteering your skills at organizations or for causes. 

When it comes down to putting all this pertinent information on the page, focus on those that are most relevant to the job itself.

Here’s how to write your entry-level experience in your java developer resume to stand out:

Right ✅

Volunteer Java Developer 
Junior Data Coders Organization, Laramie

2015 – 2017

  • Sat in on senior developers brainstorming meetings and helped to keep notes.
  • Assisted the team in writing the base code for a test app.
  • Conducted tutorials for other developers and consulted on java development issues.
  • Reduced bloated code by 20%, resulting in a reduction in load time and increased traffic.

Here’s how not to do it:

Wrong ❌

Volunteer java developer

Junior data coder, Laramie
2015 – 2017

  • Responsible for keeping notes in meetings
  • Wrote code for a test app
  • Responsible for planning tutorials for junior devs
  • Responsible for increasing website traffic

Choosing to write like the second option might seem like the best bet for conciseness, but its language is monotonous and doesn’t do much to tell a reader why this applicant is better than the rest.

It also doesn’t make use of power verbs and instead opts for basic vocabulary. Connections to what the job description is looking for are missing too.

Is Your Education Section In Need of a Revamp?

In today’s world, it’s possible to get a job without a computer or tech-related academic degree. If you have experience to make you a qualified fit, it’s possible to work in the industry without formal post-secondary education.

Still, a related degree will give you an extra edge over someone who doesn’t have one at all. And more competitive companies may look exclusively for candidates with a degree. 

So how do you make this section pop?

First of all, your java developer education section must contain the basic information such as:

  • Degree designation
  • Course title
  • Institution attended 

But if you want to stand out, you can include more information like:

  • Relevant coursework
  • Grade graduated or expected grade in cases where you haven’t graduated yet
  • And any extracurricular activities that might be relevant to your application. 

If you’ve only stuck to the basics before or have little professional experience to showcase, you might find it’s best to bulk up your education section and include more information about your academic pursuits.

Java Developer Resume Education Section

Below is an example of how you might want to avoid writing your java developer education section:

Wrong ❌

BS.c Computer Science
University of Wyoming| Laramie, WY

The only candidates who might get off on writing an education section like this are developers using a senior java developer resume with ample years of experience. 

If you’re just starting and you’re seeking an internship or you only have a few years of work experience with a java development intern resume, then you need to puff up your resume with more information. 

Here’s how to do it:

Right ✅

B.Sc in Computer Science
University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY
2014 – 2018

  • Dean’s List: 2017 and 2018
  • Relevant coursework: Software development and testing, web applications and databases, compilers and operating systems, systems and architecture, 
  • Winner of Java Developer’s award
  • Coordinated the development and building of a java-based project for student use

In this example, the candidate uses bullet points to highlight important parts of their academic life. 

You can see that while they maintained academic prowess, evidenced by the dean’s list award, they also participated in extracurricular activities that helped them develop their java skills.

The Best Java Developer Skills for a Resume

After your work experience, the skills section of your java developer resume is where you highlight your java skills in your resume to make you rank higher on the hiring list. 

In this section, you should include a good number of soft, hard, and technical skills. 

Soft skills are transferable skills you’ve gained from various experiences. It doesn’t have to be gained from a job, and you can use them in any setting.

Hard and technical skills are job-specific skills that java developers or those in a related field would have. They usually aren’t transferable outside of the software or java development sphere. 

Below you’ll find an example of how to list your java developer resume skills:

Soft Skills

  • Teamwork
  • Teachability
  • Curiosity
  • Clear communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Self-learning

Hard Skills

  • System Design And Architecture
  • JVM Internals
  • Version control systems
  • Java Testing Tools 
  • Unit testing tools
  • Principles Of SOLID
  • Big data
  • Advanced javascript frameworks
  • Dev ops tools (maven, chefs, Kubernetes)
  • Algorithms

One way you don’t want to ruin the structure of your resume is by listing too many skills or choosing ones that aren’t heavily tied to the job you’re applying to.

We recommend choosing 4-5 of your strongest skills and listing them in a way that’s easy to read, like bullet points or a small numbered list.

Here’s how not to list your skills for a Java developer resume:

Wrong ❌

  • Adaptability 
  • HTML
  • Friendliness
  • CSS
  • Java
  • Git hub
  • Java systems
  • Graphic design 
  • Teamwork

Not only is this list a little lengthy, some of its additions are questionable in terms of connection to the duties and responsibilities of the job.

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

When making hiring decisions, business owners and hiring managers want a candidate that goes beyond the normal to pursue their goals. 

The best way to show you have this trait is by adding extra sections to make your resume effective, not by hounding their comment section on social media. 

Certifications

One of the most invaluable additions to your java developer resume is your industry certification.

Certifications are a calling card and can, at least sometimes, be worth more than a university degree. 

For example, the Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect certification shows you can conduct enterprise application development using your java skills and competencies. It’s a top-level certification that java developers aspire to. 

For someone whose first degree isn’t related to computer science or tech, an industry-standard certification like this can put you at the forefront of applicants. 

Not only does it improve your chances of getting hired, Java developers learn specific skills while pursuing certification status. When applied to your craft, this new knowledge will show up in your work achievements and the quality of development work you do. 

Ultimately, it’ll reflect in your resume too. 

Other certifications you might want to consider are:

  • Professional Scrum Master
  • Spring Professional
  • Apache Spark Developer
  • Java SE Master
  • Java SE Professional
  • Java SE Associate
  • Java EE Certified Expert
  • Java EE Master
  • Oracle Certified Expert Web Component Developer
  • Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer
  • Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer

💡 top tip

Think about how best you can stand out. What makes your experiences worth the potential employer’s time? Pick out the best and create an additional section for them

More Ideas for Other Sections

Aside from certifications, your coding, software development, or java related projects are also a great addition to your resume. 

Java developer newbies should take advantage of this section and outline whatever unique, individual, or group java development projects they’ve worked on. 

It’s a great way to highlight your experience that doesn’t exactly fit into the “work experience” archetype or section. 

Other sample sections you might want to add are:

  • References: These are no longer compulsory and should only be added when requested. However, if you feel it’s invaluable to your resume, include a reference section with a note that says your references are available upon request. That way, you save your space for more essential sections. 
  • Volunteer work: Volunteering isn’t only for newbies seeking work experience. It’s also for established java developers who wish to apply their skills for a greater cause while honing their skills for free. 
  • Hobbies: If you’re applying to a fun-loving company, your hobbies might be good to mention in your java developer resume. If the organization seems like a serious, straight-jacket place, including a list of hobbies might not be the best course of action, especially when it isn’t explicitly required. 
  • Awards: Include awards you’ve won from development competitions or industry membership groups. 

Additional languages: An international organization would love multilingual employees who can relate with clients in their language and not only in programming language

Java Developer Resume Sample “Other” Sections

You’ve decided what sections to add, but how can you make them appear well on paper? 

Just as in other sections, you should make use of bullet points and make every sentence succinct. If you need to provide further explanations for specific points, then do so concisely. 

Here are a few examples of how to structure your additional sections:

Right ✅

Certifications 

  • Apache Spark Developer
  • Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer
  • Spring Professional

Projects

  • Developed a simple web app that helped students make quick CGPA projections 
  • Ensured users with disabilities had the best UI/UX by implementing ATly and ATIA accessibility standards

References

  • Available upon request

Key Takeaways

Phew! We know that’s a lot to consume, so let’s break it down into key points to remember:

  • Working as a java developer requires strong technical skills. Ensure you demonstrate this while writing your resume by including skills in your java skills section, resume objective, and work history. 
  • A resume objective belongs in an entry-level java developer resume. And a resume summary is for a senior java developer resume.
  • Use bullet points to outline information and make use of white space.
  • A java resume sample can be a great tool for picturing how much space each section of your resume can take up, what to include, etc.
  • No matter which section you’re writing, information about the goals and career objective for Java developer jobs at the company you’re applying to is your best friend – use it to connect your experiences, skills, and more to the job you want

We hope this guide has been useful for you as you program your Java developer resume. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to turn to our resume tools for help!

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