Software Developer Resume: Free Template & Guide

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You can complete various complicated tasks on a computer as a Software Developer. Getting a hiring manager’s attention is on a whole different level. To ensure that your resume is using the right input, take advantage of our personalized resume templates to land your dream job.

Software Developer Resume Example MSWord®
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ResumeGiants » Examples » Software Developer Resume

Picture this: Designing complex software systems, installing, and testing them. You’re the software developer in charge and you’re working for the tech company of your dreams!

You know you’ve got the qualifications and the drive to excel there. But there’s just one catch – so do hundreds of other software developers.

How are you going to grab the attention of the hiring manager and make them say, “This is the one”? The answer? Your resume.

Crafting it demands a compelling narrative of your professional journey and a testament to your problem-solving abilities. In this resume writing guide, you’ll learn:

• How to choose the right resume format
• What a solid resume objective or summary looks like
• How to feature your experience, abilities, and credentials

Ready to make your mark? Roll up your sleeves and start crafting that unforgettable resume that launches you into your next software development adventure!

Use our free online resume builder with hundreds of templates to choose from and full of on-the-go expert advice to speed up the process.

Before you set pen to paper on your resume, it’s a great idea to review an example. This can provide you with insight into the most effective ways to present your qualifications, skills, and experiences.

Resume Example

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[Moises Shelton]

[Software Developer]

[Springfield, IL 62701 | 333-333-3333 | mshelton@randomemail.com]

PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Accomplished Software Developer with 5+ years of experience excelling in object-oriented design (OOD), specializing in Python, C++, and JavaScript. Proven track record in developing and troubleshooting software systems for tech startups. A Certified Software Development Professional and Scrum Master recognized for resilience in resolving complex coding issues and fostering collaborative problem-solving.

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT SKILLS

• Mathematics
• Python
• Procedures
• C++
• Oracle SQL Developer
• Spring Framework
• Creating Databases
• JavaScript

Experience

Principal Software Engineer

Innovatech Solutions / Chicago, IL, USA

June 2017 – November 2020

• Led a team of 5 developers in the successful implementation of a complex web application, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement.
• Conducted thorough unit and integration testing, reducing the number of bugs by 30% and improving overall software quality.
• Implemented continuous integration and deployment pipelines, streamlining the software release process and reducing deployment time by 40%.
• Effectively communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, facilitating understanding and promoting collaboration across departments

Education

B.S.E. Software Engineering

Georgia College, Georgia, CA

September 2015 – June 2018

• GPA: 4.0
• Awarded the Entrance Scholarship

Certifications

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification, 2022
• Advanced C# Programming Certification, Udemy, 2021
• Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), 2020

>> Skills <<

• Programming Language expertise: Java, Python, JavaScript
• Frameworks and Libraries knowledge: React.js, Angular, Django, Flask
• Proficiency in Docker, Jenkins, IntelliJ, Eclipse

Hobbies and Interests

• Open Source contributor
• Tech blogging
• Coding challenges

Crafting an outstanding Software Developer Resume goes beyond just listing your skills and experience. It’s about presenting them in a clear, compelling format.

Software development is a field where both hard skills and the progression of work experience over time are highly valued. A combination resume format is a great choice for the following reasons:

• Prominence to technical skills: Software developers often need to master several programming languages and technologies. The skills section of a combination format resume allows these proficiencies to be listed clearly and upfront so the recruiter doesn’t have to dig for them. For instance, you can categorize your skills into areas like ‘Programming Languages’ (Java, Python, etc.), ‘Frameworks and Libraries’ (React, Angular, etc.), and ‘Tools’ (Git, Docker, etc.).
• Showcasing project management experience: In the work history section, software developers can feature their experience in different stages of the development lifecycle, such as planning, designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software systems. This gives a holistic view of your capabilities, displaying not only your coding proficiency but also your understanding of project management and organizational skills.
• Highlighting complex project experiences: You can elaborate on particular roles where you dealt with complex projects or overcame significant challenges. This helps to demonstrate problem-solving and analytical skills and the ability to deliver under demanding circumstances.
• Demonstrating continuous learning: Highlight recent training, certifications, or learning new languages or tools, showing that you’re keeping pace with industry advancements.
• Representing soft skills: Software Developers can provide examples of collaboration, leadership, or effective communication in their work history, such as leading a development team or coordinating projects across departments.

While the combination resume is one solid option, it doesn’t always fit every situation. Your career journey might just be better suited to a different resume format, such as a chronological resume format or a functional resume format. After all, it’s all about tailoring your approach!

Crafting a resume summary or objective is key to selling yourself as a capable software developer. It offers a concise and impactful snapshot of your qualifications and ambitions, immediately capturing the attention of hiring managers.

Here, you can showcase your unique skills and experiences, highlighting your technical expertise, years of experience, and specialties.

Software Developer Resume Summary Example

If you have experience as a software developer, a resume summary is ideal to demonstrate your know-how and training to recruiters. Just remember to be very specific and include metrics and measurable results to make it more credible.

This example is a strong summary for a software developer due to the candidate’s extensive experience, quantifiable achievements (e.g., 20% increase in user engagement, 15% decrease in page load times), proficiency in key programming languages, and specialization in scalable web applications.

It outlines the candidate’s results-oriented approach and ability to deliver impactful solutions in the software development field, using an effective choice of words (adept; increase; implemented; efficient; expertise, etc.)

Overall, this summary lacks clarity and does not effectively showcase the candidate’s expertise and potential. Additionally, it is extremely vague and fails to highlight the candidate’s qualifications and value.

It also doesn’t address the needs of the company or demonstrate how the candidate’s skills align with the role.

Example Objective for a Software Developer Resume

While resume objectives aren’t as frequently used these days, they can be deployed by software developers looking for their first job or changing specialization. Resume objectives are a helpful way to let hiring managers know about your transferable skills and potential for the role.

This resume objective stands out by being very concrete. It effectively communicates the candidate’s ambition, career focus, proficiency in key programming languages, and emphasizes their commitment to continuous learning.

Due to its lack of specificity, inappropriate discussion of wage expectations, and portrayal of limited confidence and experience, this resume objective is ineffective.

A strong resume objective should instead emphasize relevant skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the field, as well as what they can offer the employer, rather than vice versa.

When it comes to the experience section of your Software Developer Resume, it’s all about making an impact. This section should go beyond simply listing your job responsibilities by also diving into the exciting projects you’ve worked on as well as the impact of your work.

Pick relevant work experience and highlight the following elements:

• Cutting-edge technologies you’ve used
• Challenges you’ve overcome
• Measurable results you’ve achieved

Remember, concrete examples of successful software deployments, performance optimizations, and innovative solutions will captivate employers and showcase your ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Also, don’t forget to emphasize your collaboration with cross-functional teams, demonstrating your strong communication skills and knack for effective teamwork.

Look at this example to gain a deeper understanding:

You should remember to focus on quality over quantity when writing about your achievements.

This typically means including a maximum of 4 or 5 bullet points and placing your most impressive achievements at the top.

If you have more than 4 or 5 bullet points per position, you can divide them into subcategories to make it easier for the reader.

How to Write a Software Developer Resume With No Experience

Wondering how to write a good Software Engineer resume with no experience?

Your journey to crafting a dynamic resume begins with shining a spotlight on your internships and education. But that’s not all.

For those new to the software development world, there are truckloads of unique strategies to help you rise above the crowd and grab that recruiter’s attention.

If you’re writing an entry-level r resume, ask yourself the following questions to get on the right track.

• Have you made any Open Source contributions? If you have contributed to a widely used Open Source project like Mozilla Firefox by submitting a bug fix or a new feature, for example, you could include this. You should include a link to your GitHub profile where these collaborations can be verified.

• Have you created a project portfolio? This could be a personal project, such as creating an app. You can host your portfolio on a GitHub account or personal website.

• Do you have experience participating in hackathons or coding competitions? You might have participated in a global coding competition like Google’s Code Jam, working in a team to solve complex algorithmic challenges. Mention the competition, your role, and how well you did.

• Did you develop a software tool or library? Perhaps you developed a Python library that simplifies data analysis and visualization for the programming community, for example. Make sure these projects are visible via GitHub or PyPI.

• Do you have certifications in specific technologies? It’s possible that you’re certified in Java, Scrum or for working with a Salesforce platform. You can display your expertise in these tools to hiring managers.

• Do you actively participate in developer forums? You could be an active participant on Stack Overflow, providing high-quality answers to questions about Java programming. You could include a link to your Stack Overflow profile in your resume.

• Do you regularly blog or vlog about coding? An example could be a blog or YouTube channel where you regularly post tutorials on using Django for web development. Include a link to your blog or YouTube channel in your resume.

Remember, it’s not just about showing that you can code, but also demonstrating your passion for software development, your ability to learn new technologies, and your communication and problem-solving skills.

Hopefully, with these tips, it’s not so daunting writing a resume if you have no experience.

Entry-Level Software Developer Resume: Experience

First, let’s see how you can include an internship in your experience section. As you can see, it’s laid out just as any other job would be, because it still counts!

This first dip into the software development pool is quite impressive, as it reveals a solid understanding of the nuts and bolts of software processes.

Plus, that shining “A” grade from comprehensive training? That’s more than just a pat on the back – it’s solid proof of their unwavering commitment to learning and mastering the ins and outs of software development.

In this case, the employer’s name has been left out, which is a rookie error. What’s more, the narrative lacks punch due to missing specifics about the candidate’s accomplishments and the impact of their actions.

The education section does not need to be as long if you have more work experience. Just remember to include these basics:

• School/College name and location
• Program dates
• Program and/or degree name
• Any additional projects, awards, or courses that are relevant to the job description

That said, if you’re just starting out in your software development career, you can use this space to call attention to your transferable skills, which can help you stand out from the competition.

It’s worth mentioning that the skill component is split into two sections: hard skills and soft skills.

Software Developers are required to have certain hard skills in the areas of electronics and computer operations.

While the list of necessary skills can vary significantly depending on the specific role and industry, some typical ones are listed below. 

Also known as people skills, soft skills are the abilities you’ll need to add value to an organization as an employee and are equally important as technical competence.

• Mathematics
• Python
• WordPress
• C++
• Software Development
• Creating Databases
• JavaScript
• Oracle SQL Developer
• Apache Spark

As a twist, rather than having a separate section for your soft skills, you can weave them throughout your resume in the accomplishments you share in your experience section.

For example, you can add skills like collaboration and communication in the following way:

Example

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Experience

Facilitated effective collaboration and communication between development and QA teams, resulting in a 40% reduction in the number of bugs reported during the testing phase and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software.

When reviewing numerous Software Developer resumes, hiring managers frequently look for credentials to see if the applicant is qualified for the job.

Create a new section called “Certifications” to accommodate these extra qualifications, and order them as follows:

Example

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Certifications

• Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer, 2023
• Google Certified Professional Cloud Developer, 2022
• CompTIA Security+, 2021
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate, 2021

Don’t stop at just listing your technical skills and work experience, show potential employers your versatility and the value you could bring to their team.

Add some extra flair to your professional story by including a publications section in your resume if you have contributed to any.

Here’s an example of how you might format that:

Example

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Publications

Johnson, A., & Smith, B. (2023). “Evolving Software Architecture in Agile Development: A Case Study.” International Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering, 33(3), 245-262.

If you’re a member of any software developer professional associations, make sure you create an extra resume section for them, as it shows your commitment to professional growth. It should look something like this:

Example

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Professional Associations

• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Member, 2021 – Present

Active participant in the Special Interest Group on Software Engineering (SIGSOFT)

• Scrum Alliance

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), 2022 – Present

If you’ve done any freelance work for a company the experience would look great, especially if you’re an entry level candidate.

Hiring managers would love to see any projects you’ve worked on or completed in the past so if you can create this section you would give yourself a major boost.

Just make sure that you include concrete examples and data if you add this part to your resume, like in the example below:

Example

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Moises Shelton Software Development, Freelance Software Developer

October 2020 – Present

Projects:

• ABC Company: Developed custom e-commerce website (PHP, MySQL), increasing online sales by 30%.
• XYZ Startup: Built mobile app (React Native) with push notifications, enhancing user engagement.

To help your Software Developer resume go from ‘just another application’ to ‘must-interview candidate,’ let’s dive again into some of the key ideas mentioned in this guide:

• Unleash your tech arsenal: Your tech-savviness is your superpower, so flaunt your prowess in various programming languages, from Python to C++, and your familiarity with tools and frameworks.
• Let your code speak for you: Turn the spotlight on the key projects you’ve worked on or the ingenious applications you’ve developed.
• Show them you’re a code wizard: At the heart of software development lies the magic of problem-solving. Your resume should echo tales of the complex coding challenges you’ve conquered and those pesky software issues you’ve debugged.

It’s also essential to remember that your resume needs to be coded correctly, meaning it should be easy to follow. The right resume template can help you find the best inputs to increase your chances of getting hired.