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32 Software Engineer Resume Examples Designed for 2024

• Software Engineer Resumes
• Software Engineer Resumes by Experience
• Software Engineer Resumes by Role

Writing Your Software Engineer Resume

If you’re looking to take the next step in your software engineering career, there’s no better time than now, especially with many companies releasing salary information thanks to  pay transparency laws across the states .

You have the skills and experience to land your next software engineer job, but figuring out  how to write a resume  is entirely different.

We’ve analyzed countless developer resumes seeing what works and what doesn’t. That’s why we’ve written 32 software engineer resume samples that have  helped developers get jobs at top tech companies like Google, Uber, and Twilio .

Whether you’re wondering how to use ChatGPT to write a resume or are already  checking your resume  for improvements, you’re in the right place to help you get more interviews in 2024!

Software Engineer Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Always check the job description and the company’s mission statement to determine what you should include in your resume. If you have experience that doesn’t fit into your software engineer resume, but you still want to include, you can try to add some in your  software engineer cover letter .
• Try to include metrics relating to revenue, increased user counts, or increased efficiency. There are numbers there; you just have to find them!

Software Developer Resume Example

• Because of the amount of niche positions, you need to be careful when titling your resume. Always adjust the title on your resume to match the job to which you’re applying.
• Even if your work experience is different from the description, you can include some of the necessary skills and keywords. However, if your work experience is vastly different from the job description, you might want to consider applying for a different type of job.

Software Engineer Student Resume Example

• As long as you have relevant project experience, you’ll be good to go. Plus, points for a strong career objective that clearly labels why you’re joining a company and your main aim after being hired.

New Grad Software Engineer Resume Example

• A word of caution: resist the urge to feature just anything in your piece. Instead, strive to unearth duties and wins relevant to the target company and its KPIs. Talk about using Jenkins for integration automation, building custom UIs with Django, optimizing databases with MySQL, and more.

Software Engineer Intern Resume Example

• Companies will understand that you’re just starting out in your career, so including technical courses like ‘Computer Organization and Architecture’ in your software engineer intern resume will show them you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals.

Software Engineer New Grad Resume Example

• If you’re a recent grad, employers will understand that you have limited work experience but would like to see some proficiency in the technical aspects of the job. Use the job description to know the company’s requirements and adjust the skills you include in your software engineer resume to align with what the company is looking for.

Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume Example

• Plus, a template lets you easily adjust stylistic elements like color, font type, and layout. Make your resume as unique as you are!
• The first option is to demonstrate your ability to create and maintain new projects that are easily scalable and solve real problems. You can include college projects, personal projects, or even start something new so you have something to add!
• The second option is to show off any internships you’ve gotten. You can treat them just like work experience, but you can include it in your work experience or projects section.

Junior Software Engineer Resume Example

• Your time as a developer in a personal endeavor may have involved several responsibilities and accomplishments that make for a worthy addition to your junior software engineer resume.

Associate Software Engineer Resume Example

• Of course, if you have more than 10 years of experience, use a  resume summary  instead. Objectives and summaries aren’t too different, but summaries have more achievements and experience.
• Personal pronouns like “I,” “me,” and “my” take up space, so cut them out.
• Use active voice and active verbs to make sure your work experience bullet points are as short as possible.

Senior Software Engineer Resume Example

• Highlighting a lengthy career with multiple software engineering roles is key to getting noticed, especially when you pair it with quantifiable data from various sources.
• Always check the job description to get an idea of what the employer wants to see. Try to include six to eight skills in your  resume skills section  to give a wide range of your available skills.
• Focus more on adding technical skills, but you can include a few soft skills to highlight how well-rounded you are.

Experienced Software Engineer Resume Example

• For example, take the case of a Certified Software Development Associate (IEEE) certification included in this resume. It’s credible evidence that proves you have a concrete understanding of software design, testing, maintenance, and quality assurance—all of which are integral to any software engineering role.

Mid-Level Software Engineer Resume Example

• Your mid-level software engineer resume should give prominence to accomplishment metrics that touch on your application tools competencies, process streamlining, project timeline reductions, and ability to utilize resources to meet outcome expectations.

Lead Software Engineer Resume Example

• Your lead software engineer resume will go up a notch once you mention a master’s degree in computer science. It gives more credibility and shows that you’ve professionally learned how to lead other engineers and also keep systems running smoothly.

Java Software Engineer Resume Example

• But don’t forget to quantify your contribution. Try using multiple metrics in one bullet point to be extra flashy and prove that your Java skills are second to none.

Front End Software Engineer Resume Example

• If you don’t have the best technical highlights, add names of the most famous companies you’ve worked for in your front end software engineer resume. They can alone show that you weren’t hired for nothing.

Amazon Software Engineer Resume Example

• Create an unmatchable Amazon software engineer resume by listing your best achievements so far like “Grew Amazon Prime subscriptions by 18%” to show your to-be employer you’ve got what it takes to leverage technology and use it to drive better customer experience metrics.

Software Quality Engineer Resume Example

• We know automation’s a big part of this job, but it doesn’t mean you spam the word in every bullet point. Draw out other important impacts you’ve created on the job such as reducing coding errors and expanding test coverage to be a standout candidate.

Backend Software Engineer Resume Example

• Then, why not let your piece showcase your eye for detail? Take the time to go through it, ensuring every line is polished to perfection. While tools like Grammarly can be handy here, they aren’t foolproof, so be critical of the suggestions. Even better, enlist a friend or family member—a fresh pair of eyes might catch something you missed.

Staff Software Engineer Resume Example

• Did your overhauling MYSQL schema indexation expedite data access? Mention time saved in hours per month or week. Can you recount how many technical guides you built or published or how many users benefited from your software programs? Specify the numbers. Dollar-amount savings should also suffice in your metrics.

Software QA Engineer Resume Example

• Subsequently, choose a template (preferably Elegant) that gives ample spacing in the skills section for you to write down all the things you’re an expert at. Keep things simple by using a good color accent and let loose on all your past work experiences.

Director of Software Engineering Resume Example

• It is paramount that your director of software engineering resume shows your numbers for managing teams, cutting costs, expediting processes, and properly managing and prioritizing resources to exceed targets and goals.

Software Engineering Manager Resume Example

• Adding measurable results to your software engineering manager resume will help an employer evaluate the progress and results you’ve brought to companies you’ve previously worked with. This simple addition of observable statistics can go a long way in setting your resume apart from the crowd.

Google Software Engineer Resume Example

• For instance, adding tools and cloud-based services under the Google Cloud umbrella to your Google software engineer resume shows the company you’re well-versed in multiple development solutions.

Principal Software Engineer Resume Example

• While you may have several hobbies and interests, ensure you include those most relevant to the role you’re applying to. Participating in coding challenges and hackathons shows you’re passionate about software engineering, even outside work hours—something any employer will love to see!

Python Developer Resume Example

• That’s why it can be useful to include a projects section. Of course, you want the majority of your resume to focus on work experience, but if you’ve got some unique experience that might fit the  software engineer job description , consider adding this optional section.
• We’d recommend making your  web developer skills  section about 70 precent technical skills, but you can include soft skills for the rest. 

Software Engineer Front-End Resume Example

Full-Stack Software Engineer Resume Example

• Include multiple programming languages in your  resume skills section  to increase your value and better fit the ATS screening criteria.
• Start by reading the  software engineer job description  and looking for repeated keywords. You can also look at other local software engineer jobs to look for more key phrases to include.

Embedded Software Engineer Resume Example

• This will inform recruiters and hiring managers that, in addition to your technical coding skills, you have applicable knowledge of CPU architectures, operating systems, and more. You can also include soft skills related to communication and collaboration to showcase your ability to work with teams.
• This is the perfect place to briefly convey your achievements, your experience, and what you hope to accomplish at your future company. Always tailor it to each job for which you apply!

Software Integration Engineer Resume Example

• Your layout should have a good “visual voice” that’s as unique as you are, so don’t be afraid to play with colors, font types, and layouts. So long as it’s easy to read, format your resume to match your style!
• For example, did you start working with a team and end up leading a team? That’s an excellent example of scalable growth!
• Highlight versatile skills (like types of tools you’ve used) and scalable achievements to prove that you can improve your future workplace!

Security Engineer Resume Example

• Our special  resume tip : cut the fluff away from any novice jobs to leave more room for more impressive credentials you got later in your career.
• Demonstrate how your programming skills have evolved or how your interpersonal abilities helped advance your team. And be sure to back your claims with data! 
• Having a variety of jobs shows that you’re well-rounded with a host of skills you may not have obtained otherwise.
• Show this off in your work experience bullet points with a mix of transferable skills and unique abilities from other positions.

Software Development Engineer Resume

• Unload as many education qualifications as you possess to maximize the impression that you’re a certified software developing maestro. These aren’t just fancy additions to your resume but proof of your problem-solving and critical skills , making you the go-to guy for any tech need.

FAANG Software Engineer Resume

• Including skills like PostgreSQL, Apache Hadoop, and Git enrich your FAANG software engineer resume and prove to employers that you’re basically the Swiss Army knife of technology, all ready to confront any software needs Silicon Valley throws your way.

Related resume guides

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• Tableau Developer
• Program Manager
• Web Developer

When you apply for an engineering job at a company, the first person looking at your resume is actually not a person. Companies use something called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter out a majority of applicants for a role based on keyword matching.

If you pass this initial scan, your resume will get reviewed by a non-technical recruiter. Then at long last, the technical hiring manager will look at your resume.

So, how do you write a resume that will get you through all these hoops to get that first interview? That’s what this guide is designed to help you do!

We’ve analyzed numerous resumes from software engineers and to come up with valuable  resume tips  to get your foot in the door.

Here’s what we’re going to cover in this guide:

• What to put in the vital skills section of your resume.
• How to properly  format your resume  to appease the ATS filters, including what sections to include or omit.
• How to talk about your work experience and personal projects to convincingly appeal to technical and non-technical audiences.
• How to customize your resume for each job to which you apply (it’s easier than it sounds).

Software engineer skills for resume

The skills section is a vital part of your software engineer resume. This will make or break whether you get through the first phase of the resume review, aka the dreaded ATS scan.

Your  resume’s skills section  shouldn’t be a laundry list of frameworks and programming languages. Especially don’t try to include what you wouldn’t be comfortable coding; just reading about Java is not enough to have it in your skills section.

The worst thing that can happen is that you claim knowledge of a programming language and then can’t answer basic questions about that language in an interview. It’s much better to have true expertise in one programming language than to claim knowledge of 10 different languages.

Good hiring companies know that quality engineers can learn new frameworks as needed. So, it’s a big red flag if you list every programming language under the sun.

There are a few options for organizing your skills section on your resume. First, you can organize them by your proficiency level. You can use categorizations like “Advanced” vs. “Familiar” or “Expert” vs. “Working Knowledge.”

Skills organized by proficiency

Or you can organize them by the type of skill you’re discussing. So you can separate the programming languages you know, the frameworks, the tools, and the databases you’ve used.

Skills organized by skill type

Finally, you can list the programming languages you know and include the frameworks associated with that language you’ve used. You can also list your years of experience with that language. This is useful for recruiters, but it can take up a lot of space on your resume, so make sure your resume format allows for an extended skills section.

Skills organized by years of experience

Software engineer resume format

Threading the needle of making your resume ATS-readable, HR-readable, and technical-hiring-manager-readable is not an easy task. So, try to quantify your achievements without getting too in the weeds (while also not being too broad).

General formatting tips

The most important  resume formatting  tip that you should internalize is making your resume one page long, maximum. Recruiters spend, on average, only  six seconds reviewing your resume . They’re not going to read a several-page resume.

Here are the quick hits for how to properly format your resume:

• Keep it to one page.
• Avoid long paragraphs of text to make it readable.
• Bullet points should be self-contained, complete ideas.
• Keep your tenses consistent. Refer to old roles and projects in the past and refer to your current position in the present.
• Avoid pronouns like “I” or “we.”
• Check for grammar and spelling errors . Don’t let this be the reason you don’t get the job!

It’s tough to fit all of your projects and work accomplishments on a single page, but remember, you’re more than your resume. Recruiters understand this and know if a resume looks good initially, they can ask more questions in the interview.

Your goal with your resume isn’t just to include your best talking points; it’s also to make the life of the person reviewing it as easy as possible. Make sure you don’t have long paragraphs of text so it’s easier to read. Break up your would-be paragraphs into singular ideas that are more appealing to the reader.

Bad bullet point formatting

Designed and built out the backend for a client application that enabled users to build their own recipe books. Used Angular on the front-end and NodeJS on the back-end. Working closely with product managers, scaled this application to 200,000 users and generated annual revenue of $1.4M. (If you’re still reading this, then well done, because it’s far too long.)

Good bullet point formatting

• Designed and built out the back-end for a client application that enabled users to build recipe books.
• Used Angular on the front-end and NodeJS on the back-end. Working closely with product managers, scaled this application to 200,000 users and generated annual revenue of $1.4M.

Your bullet points should be self-contained, so you don’t need periods after each point. Within your bullet points, make sure your verb tenses are consistent (past tense is preferable).

Also, we’d recommend avoiding singular pronouns, so don’t use “I” or “we.” They waste time and look unprofessional, so don’t include them. For example, instead of saying, “I worked on building the back-end for a project,” you should say, “Worked on building the back-end for a project.” There are plenty of ways to avoid saying “I.”

Lastly, please  review all grammar and spelling . Don’t give recruiters or hiring managers an easy excuse for someone to put you into the “no” pile. Too many great software engineers don’t  check their resumes  and leave typos and punctuation errors.

Contact information and title

Your name should be the first thing on your resume, and it should be listed in a bigger font. Directly underneath it, you should include a title. This title should always be the job for which you’re applying. So, if your current title is “software engineer” and you’re applying for a senior engineering role, your title should be “senior software engineer.” After your title, include your contact information, including:

• City and zip code (you don’t need to give your specific address)
• Email address (make sure it sounds professional and includes your name)
• Telephone number
• LinkedIn profile URL
• GitHub profile URL
• Personal website (if you have one)

And although you know already to review your resume for typos,  triple-check your contact section  for anything that’s incorrect. We once had a great engineer misspell his email here, and although he was a great fit for the role to which he was applying, the company couldn’t contact him, so he didn’t get an interview!

This may seem like a lot of information to include, but you can make it compact. Here’s a great example:

What you include in the education section of your resume will vary depending on whether you’re applying for an entry-level software engineering role or a more senior role.

Regardless of your seniority, you should always include the school you attended, the year you graduated, and your major. If you had a minor or a specific concentration, include that.

If you’re applying for anything  other  than an entry-level role, that’s all you should include in your education section. Why? Because real estate is valuable on a resume, and your work experience and projects will convey more about your qualification than your GPA or college courses.

Suppose you’re  applying for a software engineering internship  or  looking for your first full-time role . In that case, your education section will be more expansive to accurately convey your qualifications. Plus, you’ll want to mention relevant courses to the role for which you’re applying. For software engineering roles, this means any classes related to software engineering. Took a databases class? Completed an algorithm design course? You get the idea.

If you want to include your GPA, make sure it’s above a 3.2. Otherwise, leave it out.

Entry-Level Software Engineer Education

Senior Software Engineer Education

Software engineer resume summary

Unless it’s done exceptionally well, we strongly recommend that you don’t include a  resume summary  or objective on your software engineer resume. Why? Because they rarely, if ever, convey meaningful information to the person reviewing your resume. Let’s break down a typical objective statement:

Sample software engineer resume objective

I have 3+ years of experience, and I’m looking to leverage my Django expertise to work on challenging problems as a Senior Software Engineer.

There isn’t anything new in this objective. Their 3+ years of experienceand Django expertise should be demonstrated in their work experience. There’s no customization for the specific job, and it’s far too short.

Remember, recruiters typically only look at your resume for six seconds. Don’t make them waste precious time on anything that doesn’t demonstrate new information about why you’re a great fit for the role.

Anything unique to your situation or circumstance (for example, you’re undergoing a career change) should be discussed when creating a cover letter . You can elaborate on what you’re looking for in your next role without the constraint of space.

Work experience

Your work experience section is, without a doubt, the most important section on your resume. This is where a resume reviewer spends most of their time and attention. It’s here that they’ll decide whether they want to move you onto the first stage of the interview process. So, this is not the place to be humble. Show off the good work you’ve done.

If you’re a junior developer, this section will be shorter (in favor of a longer “Projects” section). If you have two-plus years of work experience, this should take up the majority of the space on your resume.

So how do you talk about your work experience convincingly? The key is to  be specific  and  quantify the impact of your work  whenever possible.

Developers rarely work in complete isolation, especially at larger companies. So you must tease out what you did specifically on each project. If you worked as part of a team to turn a multi-page web app into a single-page app, and you were in charge of re-designing the back-end infrastructure for the new app, talk about that specifically.

Good work experience description

Architected the new back-end in Ruby to change multi-page primary product into a single-page app, resulting in $1.2M in annual incremental revenue.

Bad work experience description

The team changed our primary product from a multi-page app to a single-page app, resulting in $1.2M in annual incremental revenue.

Notice that when talking about your actual work, you want to be specific about your particular role. However, when talking about the project’s impact, you can talk about the overall effect that the team had.

Again, quantify the impact of the projects you worked on whenever possible. Businesses hire engineers to move the company forward, and the best way to demonstrate you can do that is to show you’ve had a measurable impact in your past roles.   Rough estimates of impact are okay if you don’t have exact numbers; just be reasonable and logical in your assessments.

Here are some other ways you can try to quantify your work:

• Reduced downtime by X%
• Improved the speed of the application by X%
• Implemented a product feature that improved customer retention by X%
• Improved customer satisfaction (as measured by NPS) by X%
• Built a feature that improved click-through rate by X%
• Scaled a product that successfully handled X concurrent users
• Automated a process that saved X hours of manual labor each week
• Improved a product feature that increased usage by X%
• Worked on a project that led to a cost savings of $X
• Implemented unit tests that improved test coverage by X%
• Fixed a bug that reduced customer complaints by X%  

The formula for discussing your work experience is “my specific contribution to a project” + “the overall quantitative impact.” This describes the same work experience, just in different ways.

Let’s look at an example of this in action to see how effective it is.

Good: Specific contribution plus quantitative impact

Bad: Vague description and no quantitative impact

Software engineer resume projects

The size of your projects section on your software engineer resume should be directly tied to your seniority level when applying for a developer job. The more junior your role, the more space you should allocate to your projects.

If you have more than two years of experience, you should only list one project of which you’re especially proud. Most of your resume should be composed of what you did in your previous jobs.

Try to talk about your projects in the same way you would talk about your work experience. The goal of your projects is to demonstrate your technical skills in context. Show how you used a language or framework to build something that satiated your curiosity or solved a problem.

Your projects should give more color to your skills section. While it’s great to say you know Ruby, it’s even better to say how you built the back-end of your movie recommendation engine in Ruby. Anyone can list a skill on their resume, but showing how you used that skill demonstrates even stronger mastery of that skill.

If you worked on substantial coding projects during school, you should include them here. When possible, always include the projects you’ve listed on your resume in your Github profile or on your personal website.

Here’s the format of how you should talk about your projects on your resume:

• Describe the problem you were trying to solve and how you solved it at a high level. In the example above, “Built an Android app to allow party-goers to vote on what song should play next.”
• Next, discuss some technical details in either one or two bullet points.

Again, you’re trying to demonstrate two things to a hiring manager with your projects. First, you want to give context to the skills you list on your resume. Next, you want to show that you can identify a problem and then implement a solution to solve that problem.

Interests & hobbies

If you have a bit of extra space and have a hobby or interest that might interest employers, you should include it. Some companies appreciate personality, so this would be the place to highlight that.

Customize your resume for each job

We know, we know; customizing your resume is tedious. But we have some good news! You don’t have to overhaul your resume for each job to which you apply. You will likely have to change one or two bullet points on your resume for each application.

Read the  software engineer job description  for the job to which you’re applying. Do any particular projects you’ve worked on or languages you’ve used come to mind when reading it? Those should absolutely be included in the resume you submit for that role.

Now, let’s say you’re applying for the following role:

Clearly, they want an engineer who has experience developing APIs. So, instead of just one bullet talking about my experience building out APIs, you should allocate two to three bullet points to my work.

When customizing your resume for each job you apply for, be sure to expand on the work experience or projects you’ve worked on that are especially relevant to the position at hand.

How to write an effective software developer resume

Here are the major takeaways you should keep in mind when  writing a professional resume :

• Keep your resume to one page.
• Proofread your resume  multiple times  to avoid any grammar or spelling errors.
• If you’re applying for an entry-level role, mention any relevant college courses. Otherwise, don’t let your education section take up a lot of space.
• Unless you tailor it, you don’t need a summary or objective section on your resume.
• Only include skills for which you’d be comfortable being interviewed.
• Always mention your specific contribution and quantify the overall project’s impact on the business.
• If you’re applying for an entry-level role, talk about any personal coding projects you worked on.

Remember, the goal of this resume is to get your foot in the door. Once you get that first phone interview, your skills and personality will surely shine through.

Applying to new jobs can be daunting, but one of the most complex and most confusing parts is now over. You’ve done the research, and you’re ready to  write your resume ! You can use our free  AI resume builder  to start your resume from scratch or a template, and our  free resume checker  uses AI-powered tips to suggest improvements and resolve errors.

You’ve got the knowledge; now go land your dream job!

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Software Engineer Job Description: All Key Roles & Duties

13 min read · Updated on June 25, 2024

Your next Software Engineer job depends on how well your resume mirrors the job description.

From the instant you start your job hunt, you know your Software Engineer resume must stand out from the crowd. It may come as a surprise that you're writing your resume for two audiences:

The applicant tracking system, or ATS

The human hiring manager

Some people find it challenging to write a resume that speaks to both a computer and a human. They're both looking for different things, right?! If you employ a bit of strategy in writing your resume, though, you'll do just fine. 

It all starts with tailoring it to each Software Engineer job description. 

Why is the Software Engineer job description so important?

Some people think that job descriptions exist only to let job seekers know there's an opening. Yes, the Software Engineer job description will lay out all the skills , responsibilities, and qualifications you need to have, but they're all built the same – aren't they?

The short answer is “No.” While you will find some skills and experiences that all Software Engineer job descriptions have in common, there are also things that Company A needs but Company B doesn't. This is why tailoring your resume to the job description is so important. 

As you read through different Software Engineer job descriptions, make a note of keywords that are mentioned so you can incorporate the right language into your resume. Let's take a look at a job description and then dive into how to dissect it to write your resume.

Software Engineer job description

We are looking for a passionate Software Engineer to design, develop, and install software solutions. The successful candidate will be able to build high-quality, innovative, and fully performing software in compliance with coding standards and technical design. Design, modify, develop, write, and implement software programming applications. Support and/or install software applications/operating systems. Participate in the testing process through test review and analysis, test witnessing, and certification of software.

Requires a bachelor's degree in a related area and 0-2 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Works under immediate supervision. Primary job functions do not typically require exercising independent judgment. Typically reports to a manager.

Software Engineer roles and responsibilities:

Full lifecycle application development

Design, code, and debug applications in various software languages

Software analysis, code analysis, requirements analysis, software review, identification of code metrics, system risk analysis, software reliability analysis

Object-oriented Design and Analysis (OOA and OOD)

Software modeling and simulation

Front end graphical user interface design

Software testing and quality assurance

Performance tuning, improvement, balancing, usability, automation

Support, maintain, and document software functionality

Integrate software with existing systems

Evaluate and identify new technologies for implementation

Project planning and Project management

Maintain standards compliance

Implement localization or globalization of software

Determine operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development, and proposed solutions

Document and demonstrate solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments, and clear code

Prepare and install solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards, and programming

Improve operations by conducting systems analysis; recommending changes in policies and procedures

Obtain and license software by obtaining required information from vendors; recommending purchases; testing and approving products

Update job knowledge by studying state-of-the-art development tools, programming techniques, and computing equipment; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations

Protect operations by keeping information confidential

Provide information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing development and service issues

Accomplish engineering and organization mission by completing related results as needed

Develop software solutions by studying information needs; conferring with users; studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes; investigating problem areas; following the software development lifecycle.

Write well-designed, testable, efficient code

Produce specifications and determine operational feasibility

Integrate software components into a fully functional software system

Develop software verification plans and quality assurance procedures

Document and maintain software functionality

Tailor and deploy software tools, processes, and metrics

Serve as a subject matter expert

Comply with project plans and industry standards

Software Engineer requirements

Proven work experience in software engineering

Hands-on experience in designing interactive applications

Ability to develop software in C, C++, C#, Java, or other selected languages

Excellent knowledge of Relational Databases, SQL, and ORM technologies (JPA2, Hibernate)

Experience in developing web applications using at least one popular web framework (JSF, Wicket, GWT, Spring MVC)

Experience with test-driven development

Mastery in software engineering tools

Ability to document requirements and specifications

Familiarity with software development methodology and release processes

BS degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Software Engineer technical skills:

C, C++, Java, .NET, Python, BEA WebLogic, WebSphere, J2EE, JBoss, ADO, Perl, HTML, JSP, JavaScript, Web services, SOAP, XML, ASP, JSP, PHP, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, UNIX, Linux, Redhat Linux, STL, XSLT, OWL, AJAX, J2EE, J2ME, J2SE, Sun Solaris

Dissect the Software Engineer job description

It's critical to align your resume with the job description so that it gets past the ATS and wows a hiring manager. This means using the same language and terminology found in the Software Engineer job description. 

Admittedly, most Software Engineer job descriptions won't be as detailed as the sample in this article. No matter how big or small the job description is, though, it's very important to highlight your experience and skills in a way that matches the listed responsibilities and requirements to prove you understand the job role and have the relevant expertise.

Here are a few of the relevant keywords you should've found in our Software Engineer job description:

Install software solutions

Code analysis

Requirements analysis

Programming Languages:

Technologies and frameworks:.

Relational Databases

ORM technologies (JPA2, Hibernate)

Web frameworks (JSF, Wicket, GWT, Spring MVC)

Test-driven development

BEA WebLogic

Methodologies:

Agile development processes and principles

Software development methodology

Software development lifecycle

Systems analysis

Soft skills:

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Team player

Customer-oriented

Communication skills (written and verbal)

What are the skills needed to be a Software Engineer?

To be a successful Software Engineer, you need a balanced mix of hard and soft skills . 

Hard skills are required for you to perform the duties of a Software Engineer. These types of skills are things you've learned during your education and experience and are often measurable. 

Soft skills are characteristics you possess that help you perform your duties and include things like problem-solving, effective communication, and teamwork. 

Make a list of your skills and match them to the Software Engineer job description

The best thing you can do to make sure your experience matches what the company needs is to make a list of skills you possess. Then, when you're done dissecting skills and keywords out of the Software Engineer job description, cross-check and match. This process will help you emphasize the right skills on your resume.

To get your brain juices flowing, here's a list of skills and proficiencies that are often found in Software Engineer job descriptions. Which ones match what you know how to do?

Software Development

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Ability to Learn Quickly

Team Player

Agile Development Processes and Principles

Written and Verbal Communication

Customer-Oriented

General Programming Skills

Software Debugging

Software Documentation

Software Testing

Software Development Fundamentals & Processes

Customize your Software Engineer resume

Now that you have a list of things you know how to do as a Software Engineer and you've compared that to the job description, it's time to start tailoring your resume. Be sure to incorporate keywords throughout your resume, as doing so is a crucial step in getting past the ATS. 

Beat the bots

When you hit SUBMIT on a job application, your resume isn't emailed to the hiring manager. It makes a stop along the way – the ATS.

As online job applications started to replace in-person and on-paper applications, companies started to become inundated with responses to open positions. It got to the point where it would be virtually impossible for a human being to go through all of the submissions. 

Enter the ATS. These resume scanning systems are designed with one purpose – to weed through resumes and reject the ones that don't match what the company seeks in a new employee. They scan all incoming resumes for relevant experience, education, and whether keywords from the job description show up – indicating the job seeker's fit for the role. 

What exactly does the ATS do?

Keyword Matching: The system scans for specific keywords and phrases from the job description, including job titles, skills, qualifications, and other pertinent criteria.

Ranking and Scoring: Based on the presence and frequency of keywords, the ATS assigns a score or ranking – usually a star rating – to your resume. Higher scores indicate a better match for the job.

Filtering and Sorting: Resumes with lower scores are often filtered out – read: rejected – while those with higher scores move forward in the hiring process, potentially being reviewed by a human recruiter.

Boolean Searches: Recruiters can use search strings within the ATS to find candidates who meet specific criteria. For example, the hiring manager might search for resumes that include "Java AND Python" to find candidates with experience in both programming languages.

Tips to optimize your resume for the ATS

Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description naturally into your resume. Focus on skills, technologies, and job-specific terms.

Simple Formatting: Avoid complex formatting, images, and graphics. Use a clean, straightforward layout with standard fonts.

Use Standard Headings: Use conventional headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" to help the ATS parse your resume correctly.

Avoid Headers and Footers: Important information in headers or footers might be missed by the ATS, so keep key details in the main body of your resume.

Tailor Each Resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Match your qualifications to the specific job description to increase your ATS score.

Impress the hiring manager

Once you get past the ATS, the next step is to impress the hiring manager. While they won't be scanning your resume for exact language from the Software Engineer job description, they do know what they need from a new employee. Hopefully, you've got a good balance of keywords from the job description mixed with a compelling narrative chock-full of career achievements. 

The best way to create a story that will get their attention is to use a recognizable format and structure, remembering that your resume isn't a dumping ground for everything you've ever done. To help you craft a career story that lines up with the needs of employers, use this layout:

Contact information: After all, you want them to be able to get in touch with you for an interview.

Professional summary: The first bit of information on the page that tells the hiring manager what you want to do next in your career and how your experience supports that. For example, "Experienced Software Engineer with 5+ years in full lifecycle application development, specializing in Java and Python. Proven track record in improving system performance by 20% and leading teams to successful project completions."

Skills: A literal list of 9-12 keywords and phrases that mirror the Software Engineer job description. 

Professional experience: An outline of the last 10-15 years of your work life that provides details of things you accomplished at each job – HINT: Use numbers every chance you get . For example, "Developed a new feature that increased user engagement by 30%."

Education: All Software Engineer job descriptions will indicate the level of education they want you to have – often a Bachelor's degree. Make sure that's represented on your resume.

Extras: You can include special projects you've worked on to show progression, learning, and additional career achievements. 

Highlight skills and competencies

To impress the hiring manager, clearly showcase the skills and competencies that make you the best fit for the role. Here's how to do it:

Technical Skills: List your technical skills prominently. Make sure to include any programming languages, frameworks, and tools mentioned in the job description. For a Software Engineer role, this might include languages like Java, C++, or Python, and frameworks like Spring MVC or Hibernate.

Soft Skills: Don't neglect soft skills. Highlight your ability to work in a team, solve problems, and communicate effectively. These skills are often just as important as technical abilities. In fact, if a hiring manager has 2 like candidates, soft skills can win the day !

Format for readability

Your resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. Be sure to use bullet points to help the hiring manager quickly skim through your resume. There isn't a human being alive who will read your resume. They're going to skim through it – usually spending only about six seconds – hoping to find something that jumps out at them. Bullet points help break up the text and add white space, making scanning easier on human eyes. 

Speaking of making it easy for human eyes to pick up on things, it's critical that you use consistent formatting. One thing that will quickly land your Software Engineer resume in the NO pile is to have misaligned bullet points or wonky font size transitions. 

Demonstrate cultural fit

You also need to prove to the hiring manager that you can fit in with existing teams and company culture. They are looking for someone to do a specific type of work, but they also need someone who gets along with people and can work within the mission and values of the company. 

Here's how to show that you're a good cultural fit:

Research the company: Understand the company's values, mission, and culture. Tailor your resume to reflect how your personal values align with those of the company.

Professional associations: Mention any memberships in professional organizations or participation in industry events. This shows that you're engaged in your field and continually seeking to grow.

Volunteer work: If applicable, include volunteer work or extracurricular activities. These can highlight your soft skills and show that you're a well-rounded individual.

First step toward dream job

There is a saying that anything worth doing is worth doing right. Creating a resume that helps you stand out in a sea of applications is one of those things. 

When you take the time to tailor your resume using relevant keywords from the Software Engineer job description and weave those into a compelling career story, you set yourself up for success. Software Engineering is – as you no doubt know – very competitive. You have to give yourself every advantage you can to land your dream job!

Given the critical nature of tailoring your resume to the Software Engineer job description, getting a second opinion can be invaluable. TopResume offers a free resume review – send us what you end up with, and we'll let you know what, if anything, needs to be updated.

Recommended reading:

What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)

17 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (with Examples)

7 Best Personal Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

Related Articles:

How to Maximize Your Resume Action Words to Wow the Employer

Ask Amanda: Do I Really Need a Cover Letter?

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

See how your resume stacks up.

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Software Engineer Resume [2024] - Example + How-to Guide

You’re a software engineer. You use your talents to build the future.

Well, once you get the job.

There’s one thing in your way:

The huge pile of other resumes sitting on the recruiter’s desk.

It’s time to make your talents stand out.

In this guide, we take you through a step-by-step process to creating a software engineer resume that gets results.

• An example of a finished software engineer resume that works
• How to write a software engineer resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your software engineer resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

For some inspiration, here’s a software engineer resume example, created with our very own online resume builder :

Looks good, right?! Now it’s time to create your own.

Besides the software engineer resume example, we've got a bunch more examples for professionals in the computer science field:

• Java Developer Resume
• Web Developer Resume
• Computer Science Resume
• Artificial Intelligence Engineer Resume
• Engineering Resume
• Data Scientist Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Data Entry Resume

How to Format a Software Engineer Resume

Now, before you can highlight your talents, you need to format your resume correctly. 

Your resume should be easy to read and not be hard work for the recruiter to skim through. 

The “reverse-chronological” resume format  is the most commonly used format, and we can see why. It positions your top talents at the top of your resume, so the recruiter can immediately see your value proposition.

These software engineering resume formats also get our approval…

• Functional Resume – If you have strong software engineering skills, but a small amount of work experience, this resume format is recommended
• Combination Resume – The final format combines both “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological” formats. As such, it is ideal for software engineers who have skills AND work experience.

Once you’ve chosen your format, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use a Software Engineer Resume Template

Word is a great application for creating documents.

Creating a resume with text editors is a different story all together!

This is due to formatting issues.

In fact, there’s a chance your entire layout will fall apart as you make alterations. 

Want to skip any formatting issues? Use a software engineer resume template .

What to Include in a Software Engineering Resume

The main sections in a software engineering resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

But wait – what should you write for each of these sections? 

Read on to learn how.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Now, this section doesn’t need any creativity, but it must be factually correct. 

Play close attention to this section – the last thing you want is an impressed recruiter who wants to interview you, but can’t contact you!

The contact information section must include:

• Title – Align this to the job description, which is “Software Engineer”
• Phone Number – Check this multiple times
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not your childhood email ([email protected])
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location.
• Lauren Hill - Software Engineer. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Lauren Hill - Ninja Software Engineer. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write a Software Engineer Resume Summary or Objective

Here’s a shocking fact for you –

Recruiters spend less than 6 seconds on each resume .

With hundreds of resumes to get through, it’s no surprise that recruiters simply glance over resumes looking for the most important information. 

As such, you want to make the most important information clear to see.

The best way to do this is via a resume summary or objective , which are snappy paragraphs that go on top of your resume.

Their purpose is to quickly highlight why you are the best candidate for the software engineering job. They can be seen as a “small preview” to the rest of your resume.

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Experienced software engineer with a strong background in developing award-winning strategies for a diverse clientele. 12+ years of industry experience includes leading large engineering teams to achieve concrete goals on a strict deadline. Strong skills include Database management and MySQL, .NET and Java.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

• Motivated software engineer looking to pursue a successful career in software development at Company X, where I can help in the delivery of state-of-the-art software solutions. Experience includes coding, troubleshooting, and testing for my own personal projects while at University X. Relevant skills include PHP, Data Structures, Machine Learning, and Debugging.

So, which one is best for your situation, summary or objective?

Generally, we recommend experienced software engineers go with a summary. If you have the skills but lack the industry experience, you should choose a resume objective (graduates, career changers, or those still studying).

How to Make Your Software Engineer Work Experience Stand Out

Recruiters want to know that you can do the job, and do the job well. The easiest way to instil confidence in the recruiter is with your work experience.

Here’s how we recommend you structure your work experience section:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

Software Engineer

ElectronicsX

03/2017 - 07/2020

• Built an ecommerce site integrated with multiple payment APIs for a 32% in company revenue
• Developed new infrastructure to easily handle over a million client files 
• Consistently achieved 100% compliance with industry best practices
• Reduced security breaches by 84%

To separate your resume from the competition, you should highlight your top achievements. Doing so will allow the recruiter to see the obvious benefits in hiring you.

Instead of saying:

“In charge of infrastructure”

“Developed new infrastructure to easily handle over a million client files”

Simply put, the first statement doesn’t say much.

This is in direct comparison with the second statement that shows how your work benefited the company greatly. Hard numbers that prove your skills – can’t argue with that!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Not everyone will have a wealth of work experience.

Maybe you’re a graduate looking for your first engineering job?

The question is how to tackle this part of your resume when you have no experience.  

The answer –

Talk about your internship experience, volunteering work, or any achievements at your place of education. 

You can even create a portfolio of your own work!

There are several ways to build a portfolio (and even get paid for it):

• Pick up some relevant freelance gigs on UpWork
• Start you own software project as a side-hustle

Are you recent engineering graduate? Make sure to check out our student resume guide!

Use Action Words to Make Your Software Engineer Resume POP!

…are all common words that the recruiter sees time and time again.

However, you don’t want your resume to resume the competition, which means you should use power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized
• Spearheaded

B.A. in Software Engineering

The University of Chicago

2012 - 2016

• Relevant Courses : Software Engineering Project, Distributed Systems Development, Information Systems Modelling, Specification of Software Systems, Software Evolution, Software Quality, Agile Methods

Now, you may need more information. If so, here are the answers to some of the most frequent questions that we get:

What if I haven’t completed education yet?

• Regardless of whether you’re an engineering graduate or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date

Should I include my high school education?

• Generally, only include your highest form of education. Therefore, include your high school education if you don’t have a relevant degree in engineering

What do I put first, my education or experience?

• Experiences are the priority, so those go first. If you’re a recent graduate, you will likely need to start with education

Need more information? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 10 Skills for a Software Engineer Resume

Your software engineer resume must do one thing—

Show that you’ll do a better job than the other candidates.

But how can you do this? 

Well, by highlighting the right software engineer skills on a resume.  

This is done by looking at the job description, and then comparing the skills needed with the skills you already have.

Put all relevant skills on your resume. Here are the most commonly used skills for a software engineer resume:

Hard Skills for a Software Engineer:

• Data Structures
• Machine Learning
• Web Development

Soft Skills for a Software Engineer:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Team Player
• Try to sprinkle your skills throughout the document, not just in the skills section. You can drop some of your skills in the resume summary, education section, and work experience section.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 101+ must-have skills this year .

What Else Can You Include?

That’s all of the essentials covered.

But ask yourself one question –

Does your resume stand out ?! 

The above sections should be enough to get you onto the shortlist, but adding some extra sections could be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.  

Awards & Certifications

Have you won an award for your engineering work?

Have you completed any courses that improve your skills?

If you have any awards or certifications, be sure to list them in your resume!

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• “Advance Software Engineering” - Coursera Certificate
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” - MadeUpUniversity

Even though you will unlikely need to speak an alternative language in your job, the skill is still impressive to any recruiter. As such, feel free to add a language section if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you’ll probably thinking, “why is my love of fishing relevant to the job application?”

Well, listing your hobbies allows the recruiter to get to know who you are.

They can also show that you’ll be a good part of the team, especially if you enjoy social activities. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Cover letters are just as important as they always have been.

You see, a cover letter instantly makes your application specific and more personal. 

Unlike a generic resume that has been sent to ten other companies, a cover letter shows the recruiter that you want to work for their company.

For a winning cover letter, you need the correct structure. Here’s what we recommend:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location, and website (or Behance / Dribble).

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

As the recruiter will likely skim through your application, you need to win their attention within the first few sentences. Use concise language to mention:

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

Now it’s onto the main body of the cover letter, where you should delve into the following specifics:

• Why you want to work for this specific company
• What you already know about the company
• How your engineering skills will help you to do the job
• Which similar positions have you held before

Closing Paragraph

To wrap up your cover letter, you should:

• Conclude the main points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the recruiter for the job opportunity
• Finish with a call to action that leaves the conversation open, such as “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help company X” will work

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter .

Key Takeaways

Congratulations!

If you followed the advice above, you’re well on your way to landing that elusive software engineering role.

Before we go, let’s summarize the main points:

• Format your software engineer resume correctly. Use the reverse-chronological format, and then follow our layout recommendation
• Use a summary or objective at the top of your resume
• Highlight your achievements in your work experience section
• Make sure your portfolio is the best it can be. If you don’t have one, think about getting one
• Include a convincing cover letter to separate you from the competition

Suggested Reading:

• Guide to Green Careers - All You Need to Know
• How to Answer “What Is Your Greatest Strength” [4 Samples]
• Why Should We Hire You - 10+ Best Answers

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• Software Engineer Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Software Engineer Resumes:

Speed up your writing process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to. Try it for free.

Software Engineer Resume Example:

• Spearheaded the development of a large-scale software system to meet regulatory standards, resulting in a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction
• Upgraded a critical server-side solution with automation and optimized code to enhance security and process speed by 27%
• Developed custom software architectures, designs, and specifications to meet customer design requirements and exceed project deadlines
• Collaborated with a cross-functional team to design and deploy versatile and intuitive software solutions, driving a 6% increase in customer loyalty
• Implemented a cutting-edge database migration strategy that increased database performance, while reducing operational maintenance costs by 25%
• Installed, maintained, and debugged third-party services to optimize software performance, resulting in improved system stability and reliability
• Tutored and provided technical guidance to peers, leading to a 15% improvement in code quality and a 15% reduction in software development bugs
• Successfully managed the creation and debugging of user-interfaces, resulting in a 14% reduction in customer support tickets
• Devised automated unit tests and integration tests to ensure software conformance with best practice standards, resulting in a 20% improvement in team productivity
• Object-oriented programming
• Database Design and Development
• Relational Database Management Systems
• Web Application Development
• Software Architecture and Design
• Software Development Lifecycle
• Agile Methodologies
• Software Testing and Quality Assurance
• Code Version Control
• Software Troubleshooting and Debugging
• Cloud Platforms and Virtualization
• Business Analysis and Requirements Gathering
• Project Management
• IT Security and Risk Mitigation
• Automation and Scripting
• Continuous Integration/Delivery
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• User Experience Design
• Software Documentation
• Technical Team Leadership
• Software Engineering
• Machine Learning

Top Skills & Keywords for Software Engineer Resumes:

Hard skills, soft skills, resume action verbs for software engineers:, build a software engineer resume with ai.

Resume FAQs for Software Engineers:

How long should i make my software engineer resume, what is the best way to format a software engineer resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a software engineer resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a software engineer, compare your software engineer resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Software Engineer job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Complete the steps below to generate your free resume analysis.

Related Resumes for Software Engineers:

The Complete Software Engineer Resume Guide

Looking for a job as a software engineer? That’s exciting! Whether you’re changing careers  or just looking for your next job, this fast-growing industry offers career development opportunities galore. Plus, it can pay quite well .

With great pay and growth potential, the job hunt can be competitive. If you want a shot at a job interview, you need to know how to write a compelling software engineering resume, and you’ll want to create a web developer portfolio .  

Writing your first resume, or revamping your old one, can feel daunting. It doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ll walk you through the resume writing process step-by-step and give you plenty of software engineer resume examples. You won’t feel overwhelmed after reading this! 

In this complete guide, you’ll learn the following:

• Do software engineers even need a resume?

Step 1: Work out your structure

• Step 2: Gather your information

Step 3: Fill in your contact information

Step 4: add your three most relevant work experiences, step 5: list your education, step 6: include your skills.

• Step 7: Share your certifications and awards
• Step 8: List your software engineering projects

Step 9: Write your introductory statement

Step 10: proofread, mistakes to avoid when creating a software engineer resume, where to go for great software engineer resume templates.

Let’s start with the basics; why do you even need a resume? 

1. Do software engineers even need a resume?

Yes, software engineers need a resume. Many developers will tell you they’ve gotten multiple job offers with just a resume. Of course, they might not mention that they also had an active GitHub history, polished portfolio, or connection in the industry. But that’s beside the point.

The number one reason you need a resume to land a software engineering job is that almost every job you apply for will require you to have one. But secondly, your resume is how you’ll showcase your transferable skills . 

Even if you don’t have much experience with software engineering, you still need to create a software engineer resume. A compelling document with all your most relevant experience will showcase how you learned to code and the skills you can transfer to your new role.

You can also optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS)–but we’ll discuss that later. First, let’s learn how to create a software engineer’s resume that wins.

2. How to write a software engineer resume step-by-step

Okay, so we’re all on the same page now–you need a resume! But how do you write one? Buckle up! This is where we walk you through the resume writing process–one step at a time. 

This section may seem a bit long, but that’s because we’re going to go into every single part of your software engineer resume and make it as compelling as possible. Feel free to start writing your resume in another window while you read through each step. Learning while doing is often the most effective way! 

Resume layout (design) and copy (words) go hand-in-hand. If you don’t budget your words for the space you have, you won’t be able to fit it all on one page. It’s helpful to begin by choosing a resume template or layout. 

There are templates all over the internet for free that you can use! More on that later. If you don’t want to use a template, you can use the outline in Step 2 below to create your layout in a word processor, PDF maker, or graphic design tool. 

Step 2: Gather your information 

Before filling in your resume, open up a blank document or your notes app to gather the information you’ll need for your resume. If you’ve already optimized your LinkedIn for the job search, you might want to pull that up too. 

Here’s what you should include in your software engineer resume, from top to bottom: 

• Contact information
• Introduction paragraph
• Work experience
• Certifications and awards (optional)
• Projects (optional)

Here’s a software engineer resume example with a great layout from BeamJobs . There’s even enough room to include certifications and awards in the left-hand column!

Here’s what you need to include in this section: 

• First and last name 
• Job title, branding statement, or subtitle
• Email address
• Cell phone number
• LinkedIn profile
• Website (optional)
• Social media profiles (optional)
• Physical address (optional)

Your contact information is the simplest part of writing a resume. But it’s being analyzed by recruiters as much as the rest of what you’ve written. Here are some tips for making this section as small and effective as possible. 

Under your name, you can include a subtitle listing your current job title or a one-sentence personal description. If you don’t have a current job title, you can put the job title you’re looking for or a more creatively branded title. For example, you could put “Entry-Level Software Engineer” or “Skilled Full-Stack Developer.” 

Firstly, if you want to come across as professional, make sure your email address isn’t your old AOL email address. I’ll admit it! My email was [email protected] until I got to college. But I would never put that on a resume. Instead, my email is a polished version of my first and last name with no numbers. 

To save space, you don’t need to include your physical address unless you apply for a fully in-person job that favors locals. You don’t need to include your social media profiles unless you’re a thought leader in the industry. You can also omit your website if you don’t have a software engineer portfolio website .

Here’s what your resume contact information section might look like, courtesy of Resume Worded : 

When you think about writing your resume, this is probably what you imagined. This part will be easier if you’ve already optimized your LinkedIn for the job hunt. If you haven’t, budget some time to gather everything you need. 

Before you dive into writing this section, you will need the following: 

• A list of all of your relevant work experience (anything with transferable skills or software engineering)
• Data points from your jobs to demonstrate your achievements
• Information about your bootcamp, professional training program, or college (if you’re new to software development)

Once you have these items, you can start with the basics. Pick your top three-to-five most relevant experiences. Format each job on your list to reflect the structure outlined below.  

Here’s how to structure each of your experiences: 

• Job title – bolded
• Company name and the location where you worked – standard text
• Dates of employment – italicized

Keep your structure consistent throughout your resume. There’s no right or wrong way to choose whether you’ll abbreviate. But if you abbreviate one state you worked in, abbreviate them all. If you spelled out the entire month of your employment, spell out every month. 

Next, list them chronologically, beginning with your most recent experience. Here’s the creative part! It’s time to describe your work experiences. It’s best to list three to five bullet points per experience. 

In your bullet points, include some quantifiable accomplishments that are data-proven and action verbs relating to tech but not jargon. Keep your tone present and active, not passive. 

This is a software engineer resume example, also from Resume Worded: 

If you’re a career changer, your college education might not be relevant to the job you’re applying for now. 

Regardless, you should still include it. If you don’t have much experience, you should include information about your software engineer education here in five bullet points. Cover what you learned, how you got hands-on experience, and the projects you did. 

If you already have software engineering experience, this section isn’t as important for you. You can simply include where you went to school and one bullet or less about relevant coursework. 

Whether you’re new to software development or not, you can elaborate on your undergraduate and graduate degrees in certain circumstances. If you were a double major or had a minor, you can list that too on your software engineer resume. If you had a phenomenal GPA, you could list it. But if your GPA was less than 3.8, you can leave it out. 

Here’s how to format your education: 

• Name of program or degree — bolded
• Institution and location—standard text
• Dates attended — italicized

Each job you apply for will use a specific naming convention in the description like BS, b.s., bachelor’s degree, bootcamp, or boot camp. Try to edit this to match every job description. You may not always fit the education level specified in the listing. That doesn’t matter! You should still apply for it if you think you’d be a good fit. 

Here’s an example of what your software engineering resume might look like if you took CareerFoundry’s Full-Stack Web Development Program :

The skills section might be where you shine! Hiring managers and recruiters are looking for specific development skills and that’s why you should list them in the job description. For each coding job you apply for, you can customize this section to fit the job description. 

It shouldn’t need to be stated but—don’t lie! Run through the job description and pick the skills you’re proficient in. In this section, it’s usually best to only list hard skills . Group your skills by Expert, Advanced, and Familiar. 

Step 7: Share your certifications and awards (optional)

If you have any certifications or awards, include this section! But if you don’t, skip to Step 8. Keep this section of your software engineer resume brief. You only need one line per award; you can simply list each award or certification and the date you received them. 

Certifications can serve as proof to your employer that you’ve achieved a certain skill level. If that skill or certification is in the job description, include it in your resume. Whatever you list, include both the full name and the abbreviation. Obviously, only include certifications you’ve actually earned. 

For example, a software engineer’s resume skill section might look like this: 

Step 8: List your software engineering projects (optional)

If you’re looking to apply for software engineering jobs , you’ve probably worked on a few projects by now. Whether personal projects, open source, internships, freelance, or bootcamps projects, you can use them on your resume. 

Career changers and anyone new to software development should take advantage of this section. If you already have experience in software engineering, you probably don’t need this—simply list your portfolio in your contact information and move on to Step 9. 

Before you fill in this section, you’ll need a list of the projects you’ve worked on. If you have more than three, group your projects by type. You can use whatever categories seem fitting to you but consider ones like business projects, user interface projects , technical projects, mobile development, etc.

Here’s how to format your projects in your software engineer resume: 

• Project Title — bolded
• 2-sentence description—standard text
• Skills—italicized

This is what your projects section might look like: 

You can hyperlink the title of your project to a portfolio piece with more details, the live project, or your GitHub. 

Stop now if your resume can’t fit on one page with more than just the title. But if you still have room, include a description of the problem your project solved, why you created it, and the client you made it for. Then, list the skills or tech stack you used to create the project. 

It might be odd to see the introductory statement as one of the last steps in the software engineer resume-writing process. Even though this goes at the top of your resume, we recommend you write it last. It’s much easier to write it at the end for most people. 

A summary statement is essentially an introductory paragraph. You’ll use these three-to-five lines to inject some personality into your resume. This is the first thing the interviewer will see. 

There are two ways you can approach this. You can either treat it as a summary or an objective . If you already have experience in software engineering, you can summarize your skills, experience, notable accomplishments, and education. If you don’t have experience, you’ll want to opt for an objective. 

With an objective, you’ll share tangible achievements from your bootcamp, professional training, college, or internship. You’ll also want to point out your transferable skills and career goals. 

This is the most challenging part of writing your resume. You’ll have less than 8 seconds to make a good impression on a recruiter or hiring manager. So, think of this paragraph as a hook to get them to keep reading. Here’s how to maximize your summary statement. 

Your summary statement should touch on the following: 

• Your unique strengths, expertise, and transferable skills
• Your personality traits that are relevant to the job 
• Notable achievements 
• The type of position or industry you’re seeking

Wherever possible, mention numbers or statistics to back up your statements. Rewrite your summary for every single job you apply for. It may feel tedious, but if you tailor it to that company and that role specifically, you’re far more likely to get straight to the recruiter screen and land an interview.

They might not notice if you have a spelling mistake on your resume, but typos never look good! Your summary paragraph is the most crucial thing to edit, but it doesn’t hurt to check over the entire thing. You can use AI editing software like Grammarly , or enlist a friend to proofread it. Better yet, ask your career counselor or mentor–if you have one! 

Okay, that might be a lot of information. We’re almost through with this complete guide. But before we let you go, we want to let you in on a few things you shouldn’t do when you’re writing your resume. 

Don’t use the same exact resume for every job you apply for

While it’s tempting to write your resume once and walk away, it’s not that simple. You should create your resume and edit it for each job you apply to. Adjust the objective statement, skills, and experience to reflect keywords in the job description. 

Don’t include any sensitive information on your resume

In the US you don’t need to include your date of birth, social security number, political affiliations, religion, or other personal details. These are dangerous to include, and they’re not relevant to the person who’s going to be reading your resume.

Don’t use fancy graphics

These days, most companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)  to screen applicants before sending software engineer resumes to a hiring manager or recruiter. Make your resume as text-based as possible: most ATS can’t read graphics well. 

Don’t send in your resume as a word document

Save it as a PDF before you submit it. 

Don’t let your resume exceed one page

If you can’t fit it all, omit the optional sections, trim down your experience descriptions, or reduce the skills you’ve included. 

If you want to use a resume template, ensure they’re ATS-friendly. There are plenty of beautiful templates out there with graphics and charts that won’t help you get an interview. 

There are hundreds of places you can go to get resume templates online. There are free and paid options. Most offer both free and paid versions. We rounded up the best resume template sites for software developers. Our favorites are the ones that tech professionals or coders created. 

Here are our top five favorite resume template sites:

• BeamJobs —made by tech professionals for career changers, diverse tech workers, and experienced developers. 
• Career Cup — founded by Gayle Laakmann McDowell, author of Cracking The Coding Interview
• Resume Worded — LinkedIn and resume optimizer 
• Kick Resume — a generic resume builder
• JobScan — exclusively ATS-friendly resume builder

Writing a software engineer resume is not easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you remember to proofread your work, use a few keywords from the job description, and stay away from graphics, you’ll be golden. 

Whatever you do, tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for and include a unique introductory paragraph. And if you want to use a resume template, ensure it’s ATS-friendly. With these tips and the steps we outlined, you’re sure to write a stellar software engineer resume.

You’ve just finished the complete guide to writing a software engineer resume. Now get started creating yours, and prepare to apply for jobs. Good luck!

As students of CareerFoundry’s Full-Stack Web Development Program reach the end of their studies, they get paired up with a career specialist. Y ou’ll work closely with them to connect the dots between your previous accomplishments with your newfound coding skills.

Together, you’ll create a winning software engineer resume that showcases your talent, and carefully craft your online presence to appeal to tech employers. You’ll also fine-tune your technical interview skills , learning how to confidently market your experience and negotiate salaries.

If you’d like to learn more about the world of coding, check out these articles:

• What Does a Backend Developer Do?
• What on Earth Is CSS? A Beginner’s Guide
• The Ultimate 2024 Guide to Frontend Developer Salaries

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Software Engineer Resume Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to score a job as a Software Engineer?

You're going to need an awesome resume. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Software Engineer resume using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Software Engineer role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Software Engineer Resume
• The Best Skills To Include On A Software Engineer Resume

How To Write A Job-Winning Software Engineer Resume Summary

How to write offer-winning software engineer resume bullets.

• 3 Software Engineer Resume Examples

The 8 Best Software Engineer Resume Templates

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Software Engineer Resume Overview: What To Know To Write A Resume That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Software Engineer?

Companies look for Software Engineers who are proficient in languages such as JavaScript, Python, or Java, with expertise in essential tools and frameworks.

Companies also seek candidates who can collaborate, solve problems, communicate well, and align with their values and tech interests.

Your resume should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Software Engineer resume:

• Customize your resume to the job description: Tailor your resume for each job application, matching your skills, experiences, and proficiency in programming languages and tools with the requirements of the software engineer role you have an eye on.
• Detail your previous experiences: Provide detailed information about your past experiences, emphasizing responsibilities related to software engineering.
• Quantify achievements and impact: Use specific metrics, such as the percentage of performance improvement, the number of lines of code written, or the successful completion of projects within deadlines.
• Showcase technical skills and tools: Clearly outline your technical skills, programming languages, and tools you are proficient in.
• Make it visually appealing: Use a clear and professional layout for easy reading. Maintain consistency in the font and formatting throughout and limit your resume to one or two pages.
• Use keywords:   Use a skills section to provide a quick overview and consider incorporating relevant keywords from the job description. This helps automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) identify your compatibility with the role and ensures your resume passes through initial screenings.
• Proofread your resume: Proofread your resume to eliminate errors (I recommend using the Hemingway App or Grammarly ). Also, if you want to make sure that your work is easy to understand and effective, it's always a good idea to ask for feedback from your colleagues or mentors!

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Software Engineer Skills To Include On Your Resume

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your resume. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan resumes for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized resume. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Software Engineer Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Software Engineer resume.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of real Software Engineer job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Development
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Communications
• Communication
• Organization
• Team Member
• Verification
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Resume And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific resume and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your resume is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your updated Software Engineer resume
• Open a copy of your target Software Engineer job description
• In the widget below, paste your resume on the left, paste the job description on the right, and hit scan!

ResyMatch is going to scan your resume and compare it to the target job description. It's going to show you the exact keywords and skills you're missing as well as share other feedback you can use to improve your resume.

If you're ready to get started, use the widget below to run your first scan and get your free resume score:

Copy/paste or upload your resume here:

Click here to paste text

Upload a PDF, Word Doc, or TXT File

Paste the job post's details here:

Scan to compare and score your resume vs the job's description.

Scanning...

And if you're a visual learner, here's a video walking through the entire process so you can follow along:

Employers spend an average of six seconds reading your resume.

If you want to win more interviews and offers, you need to make that time count. That starts with hitting the reader with the exact information they're looking for right at the top of your resume.

Unfortunately, traditional resume advice like Summaries and Objectives don't accomplish that goal. If you want to win in today's market, you need a modern approach. I like to use something I can a “Highlight Reel,” here's how it works.

Highlight Reels: A Proven Way To Start Your Resume And Win More Jobs

The Highlight Reel is exactly what it sounds like.

It's a section at the top of your resume that allows you to pick and choose the best and most relevant experience to feature right at the top of your resume.

It's essentially a highlight reel of your career as it relates to this specific role! I like to think about it as the SportsCenter Top 10 of your resume.

The Highlight Reel resume summary consists of 4 parts:

• A relevant section title that ties your experience to the role
• An introductory bullet that summarizes your experience and high-level value
• A few supporting “Case Study” bullets that illustrate specific results, projects, and relevant experience
• A closing “Extracurricular” bullet to round out your candidacy

For example, if we were writing a Highlight Reel for a Software Engineer role, it might look like this:

You can see how the first bullet includes the Software Engineer job title, the years of experience this candidate has, and it wraps up with a value-driven pitch for how they've helped companies in the past.

The next bullet is a “Case Study” of specific results they drove at their past experiences and the third one covers relevant skills for the role. The last bullet wraps up with a certification and additional skill set.

This candidate has provided all of the info any employer would want to see right at the very top of their resume! The best part is that they can customize this section for each and every role they apply for to maximize the relevance of their experience.

Here's one more example of a Software Engineer Highlight Reel:

The content of this example showcases the candidate's years of experience and wraps up the first bullet with a high-value pitch, while the following bullet points focus on measurable results. The final bullet point wraps up by mentioning their academic achievements.

If you want more details on writing a killer Highlight Reel, check out my full guide on Highlight Reels here.

Bullets make up the majority of the content in your resume. If you want to win, you need to know how to write bullets that are compelling and value-driven.

Unfortunately, way too many job seekers aren't good at this. They use fluffy, buzzword-fill language and they only talk about the actions that they took rather than the results and outcomes those actions created.

If you apply this framework to each of the bullets on your resume, you're going to make them more compelling and your value is going to be crystal clear to the reader. For example, take a look at these resume bullets:

❌ Responsible for building applications to help achieve company goals

✅ Software Engineer with 9+ years of proven experience leveraging React and PHP to build SaaS applications supporting 1M+ users

The second bullet makes the candidate's value  so much more clear, and it's a lot more fun to read! That's what we're going for here.

That said, it's one thing to look at the graphic above and try to apply the abstract concept of “35% hard skills” to your bullet. We wanted to make things easy, so we created a tool called ResyBullet.io that will actually give your resume bullet a score and show you how to improve it.

Using ResyBullet To Write Crazy Effective, Job-Winning Resume Bullets

ResyBullet takes our proprietary “resume bullet formula” and layers it into a tool that's super simple to use. Here's how it works:

• Head over to ResyBullet.io
• Copy a bullet from your resume and paste it into the tool, then hit “Analyze”
• ResyBullet will score your resume bullet and show you exactly what you need to improve
• You edit your bullet with the recommended changes and scan it again
• Rinse and repeat until you get a score of 60+
• Move on to the next bullet in your resume

Let's take a look at how this works for the two resume bullet examples I shared above:

First, we had, “Responsible for building applications to help achieve company goals”.

ResyBullet gave that a score of 25/100.  Not only is it too short, but it's missing relevant skills, compelling language, and measurable outcomes:

Now, let's take a look at our second bullet,  “Software Engineer with 9+ years of proven experience using Jira for agile project management, reducing project delivery time by 15%.”

ResyBullet gave that a 50/100. Much better! This bullet had more content focused on the experience in the Software Engineer role, while also highlighting measurable results:

Now all you have to do is run each of your bullets through ResyBullet, make the suggested updates, and your resume is going to be jam-packed with eye-popping, value-driven content!

If you're ready, grab a bullet from your resume, paste it into the widget below, and hit scan to get your first resume bullet score and analysis:

Free Resume Bullet Analyzer

Learn to write crazy effective resume bullets that grab attention, illustrate value, and actually get results., copy and paste your resume bullet to begin analysis:, 3 software engineer resume examples for 2023.

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three resume examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds:

Software Engineer Resume Example #1: A Traditional Background

Software Engineer Resume Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

For our second Software Engineer Resume Example, we have a candidate who has a non-traditional background in Sales. Here's an example of what their resume might look like:

Software Engineer Resume Example #3: Senior Software Engineer With A Master's Degree

For our third Software Engineer Resume Example, we have a candidate who has 14+ years of experience and a Master's Degree. Here's an example of what their resume might look like:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Software Engineer resume that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with our ResyBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your resume using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Resume Templates, Build Yours In No Time .

Choose a resume template below to get started:.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Software Engineer Resume

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Software Engineer resume:

• Start with a proven resume template from ResyBuild.io
• Use ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your resume for each role you apply to
• Open your resume with a Highlight Reel to immediately grab your target employer's attention
• Use ResyBullet.io to craft compelling, value-driven bullets that pop off the page
• Compare the draft of your resume to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like HemingwayApp to proofread your resume before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Software Engineer interviews and job offers.

Now that your resume is taken care of, check out my guide on how to get a job anywhere without applying online!

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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Software Engineer Resume & Writing Guide

Looking for a Software Engineer job? To get your resume up to professional standards it is essential to first check out top-notch Software Engineer resumes from the field. You want to make sure your resume is going to stand out from the rest by being both informative and compelling to read, without overwhelming the recruiter or hiring manager with irrelevant information.

How you create a resume into an interview-winning document, we will explain to you in detail below with this writing guide. We give you samples per resume section to help you efficiently craft a professional resume.

What you can read in this article

17 Software Engineer Resume Examples

Download these resume examples in PDF at the bottom of this page for free.

Software Engineer Resume Writing Guide

Resume sections.

1. Contact Information :

Be sure to include alternative contact channels like your LinkedIn profile URL details.

2. Profile Summary : View this as the introduction to your resume and include 1-3 sentences giving a broad overview of your background, years of industry experience and the industry sectors of interest plus a wow factor or qualification you have completed.

3. Qualifications Summary: Provide accurate details about the certifications and qualifications you have completed with the institution, qualification name, and dates. Don’t forget to include qualifications you are currently completing too.

4. Relevant Software Experience : Clearly state your employment history from the duration of your internship up to your current position. Use brief sentences with bullet points to list your most important daily activities under each role you have had.

5. Other Employment Experience : This will include projects or work history outside of the formal software engineering field, but which may be necessary for the employer to know of. This section is especially important if you are on a level slightly more junior than a Software Engineer. You need to reveal your software engineering experience gained unofficially while for instance in a vocational or temporary job to showcase your abilities to write code, program systems or develop applications.

6. Skills Summary/Key Skills : Incorporates keywords from the job posting and your specific skill set. These add much-needed credibility to your resume.

7. Education/Licenses/Certifications/Relevant Coursework/Training : Start with your formal training certifications and post-school diplomas or accreditations. List any professional development that better prepared you to work in the software engineering field like coding and development courses.

What to Highlight in a Software Engineer's Resume

Regardless of your career tenure in software engineering, there are a few vital things that employers and recruiters need to know about you as to ensure that you are the right fit for their team.

Software engineers are essential members of development teams for new pieces of software. They perform integration functions between the scripts and codes written by the programmers and the product or interface that the end user gets to see. Software engineers are crucial to create product flow and often write code themselves to make the product functional for use.

The first aspect to highlight is the range of projects you have worked on. Mention the types of software you have created, tested and evaluated. These may include software for business applications, network control systems, middleware, operating systems, and even computer games or smartphone applications.

Software engineers may use various programming languages, sometimes up to three different ones in a specific project. Clearly, state and even bold the programming languages you are familiar with as they serve as suitability indicators to the recruiter or hiring manager. (View them as SEO keywords for your resume)

Next, Software Engineers can work with systems where they would design and implements data assurance and security protocols. Another type of software engineering function is focused on networking, which involves the complex design of the intranet and collaboration between company servers. As a Software Engineer, you may also be responsible for customizing applications for clients or updating current software systems. Testing, writing training manuals, and suggesting scope for system improvement also forms part of a Software Engineer’s role. Be as specific as you can without, of course, writing an entire product concept proposal.

*Cool Tip for Software skills include:

Make an impact by summarizing your technical competencies by Database, Software, and Languages per every project. You can even attach these in a separate document if you have multiple projects completed:

Databases : MySQL, Oracle, Access, SAP etc. Software : Microsoft Office, Remedy, Microsoft SQL Server, DB Artisan, Eclipse, Visual Studio.NET, Front Page Languages : C#, Java, Visual Basic, ASP, XML, XSL, JWS, SQL, and T-SQL

Make sure to include the following details:

• The locations you are allowed to work in, according to your licensing and certifications obtained.
• Your GPA score if you have completed a bachelor's or associate's degree. (if higher than 3.5)
• A list of all the industries you have worked in for example Automotive, Medical Devices, Specialty Chemicals, etc. (Use specific sic codes, which you will find on any labor classification website)
• Extended or irregular working hours are typical to this job, and so is travel; therefore, you need to indicate your willingness to do both.
• Much of a software engineer's work is done on a laptop/computer and telecommuting is always an option. This effectively means you can apply freely for international jobs too, just check the working hours in terms of time zone differences.

Software Engineer Resume Summary

Hiring managers typically have hundreds of resumes to go through and very little time to read them all in detail. Keep your career summary concise and to the point. Put the most important information first to capture their attention while they’re quickly skimming your resume.

Start your profile summary with your years of experience in the industry and the main duties you performed. When deciding what duties to add, use the job description as your guide. For instance, if the job you are applying to emphasizes expertise in designing code or embedded software development, use the same words in your summary. The more your resume resonates with the job description of keywords, the better fit you will seem.

Next, add a line that showcases any outstanding qualities that will add value to the company. A hiring manager would be interested to know if you have “strong programming skills, creative problem-solving abilities, and excellent time management.” It’s important to note that these qualities should be proven in the professional experience section to re-enforce your message.

Lastly, close with your educational degrees/diplomas, and any certifications/licenses you may have that are pertinent to the job

Example Profile Summaries:

Profile Summary Sample 1 “Out the box thinking Software Engineer with expertise in Java, T-SQL, and C#.Net and proven integration problem-solving tenure of 10 years. Skilled in developing systems architecture, writing requirement specifications, and user documentation training manuals. Holds a Masters Degree in Computer Engineering.”

Profile Summary Sample 2

“Senior Software Engineering with eight years of hands-on experience in core web design, coding, and product life cycle development. A guru in Python, R, and Perl offering quick turnaround times to clients. Holds a Bachelor of Engineering coupled with various certifications in embedded systems development.”

Software Engineer Job Descriptions and Responsibilities

An employer would expect to see the following proven foundational duties and skill sets within an applicant’s resume, depending on educational level and career stage.

Example Job Descriptions

An entry-level stage software engineer (less than five years experience) may:.

• Assist in developing software solutions to meet customer requirements
• Participate in the full development life cycle of products including requirement analysis, architectural design, and component software features through to implementation of test plans and documenting final product solution
• Assist in the groundwork development of applications written in PHP, JavaScript, Perl, C++, C#, or Java.
• Other duties include reviewing code, writing documentation, and following test procedures
• Also involved with UI (user interface) design, graphics development, and 3-D programming

A Software Engineer at the mid-career stage (5-10 years experience) may:

• Programming computer controls which are used to activate machinery in manufacturing industries, for example, PLC and Agile based systems
• Develop a project development plan together with the business analyst
• Setting up new IT systems, networks, and intranets for clients
• Modifying and updating current software applications
• Writing documentation and training manuals
• Testing the model for compatibility and installation problems
• Conduct debugging and fix system incompatibilities arising after new software was implemented

A Software Engineer at an experienced/advanced stage (10–15 years experience) may:

• Develop software solutions by following the software development life cycle: documenting information requirements; conferring with users; investigating systems flow, data usage, and work processes; and studying problem areas
• Determine operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development, and proposed solutions
• Develop documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, charts, code comments, and clear code
• Determine system specifications and standards before installing product solutions
• Conduct system analysis and recommend changes in policies and procedures
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level software engineers

Highlight Your Accomplishments

Under your experience section, you may be tempted to copy and paste the list of duties you performed as detailed in your job description. The drawback to doing this, though, is that you won’t stand out from the other applicants with similar experience.

Your goal is to think about what sets you apart, what you are most proud of, or what you accomplished in your previous roles, and communicate these through action-packed statements that are compelling.

Flat, Simple Duty:

• Present software solutions to clients

Accomplishment Statement:

• Translate user needs into easy-to-understand software solutions via client workshops and webinars which resulted in closing deals for the sales team of more than $500k in value
• Installing and configuring servers and workstations
• Designed a process tool suite that automates the installation and configuration of servers from bare metal to 90% completion saving 75 work hours per installation

Quantifying Your Resume

When writing your resume, if you can answer the questions, “ How much ?” or “ How many ?, How long ? By when ?, How often ?”, It would help if you tried to include that number. For instance:

Quantified Example 1

• Developed error analysis for Intel i32 servers by designing algorithms within three weeks and reducing systems downtime by 28% after running those algorithms

Quantified Example 2

• Solve technical issues within 30 minutes on average by creating continuous bug fixes daily for the newly implemented ERM Software for the first 30 days after implementation

Software Engineer Education Section

The education section forms an integral part of your resume. In short, indicate What, Where, and When regarding your qualifications, certifications or industry licenses obtained. The name of your qualification, institution, and date of completion is more than sufficient. Unless you are a graduate with limited working experience, there is no need to include major subjects or course curriculum topics.

Remember to include current qualifications you are in the process of completing. Regarding courses and certifications, discretion and relevance must be considered.

Completed Secondary and Tertiary Education must be listed as follows:

Start with the commencement date and completion date for diplomas, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. For courses, you can just list the date of completion. Next comes the full name of the qualification, then the full name of the institution, and then the City or abbreviated State name. List your high school diploma details similarly, but only include this when you have less than five years of working experience.

Examples with more than five years’ experience:

2012-2015 Masters Degree in Computer Science, Kaplan University, FL

2010-2011 Certified Network Professional (CNP), Florida Institute of Technology, FL

2007-2009 Associates Degree in Software Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, WI

Examples If you have less than five years’ experience, you may also add your majors, minors, GPA scores and accolades, and honors awards

2013 – 2015 Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA Majors: Electrical Engineering , Computer Engineering Overall GPA: 3.21/4.00

2018 – Certificate in Multiplatform Software Development, Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP), TN

2017 Ridgefield High School, High School Diploma, Ridgefield, NJ

Software Engineer Resume Skills

Although the production field requires specific technical skills , employers look for other skills, called soft skills . These are the main types of skills that indicate to your fitness as a potential employee who will add value, has adequate knowledge, sufficient experience, and will be easy to manage. Incorporate these into your summary, or profile, and your accomplishment statements.

Technical Skills Examples:

• Educational Attainment : A university degree is an entry-level requirement to become a Software Engineer, but if you want to have a better chance of moving up into senior management later, it will be an advantage to complete a Master's or Ph.D.
• Technical Aptitude : Analytical, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, as well as creativity and attention to detail; familiarity with database management, development environments, and program testing, are essential must-haves. Software Engineers, need to be process orientated and meticulous to accurately assess client requirements and follow the set-out milestones of a product development life cycle to the tee.
• Other Technical Skills : Programming languages, for example, JavaScript, C++, Smalltalk, Visual Basic, Oracle, UML, Linux, Python, Perl, and Ruby. Knowledge of CASE (Computer-Aided Software Engineering) tools and ERP Systems. Understanding of system standards: XML, HTTP Object-oriented design (OOD).

Software Engineer Resume Soft Skill Examples

Qualifications/Certifications associated with Software Engineers

Action Verbs for your Software Engineer Resume

Other Software Engineering Titles

Professional Information on Software Engineers

Sectors : Various Career Type : Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Programming, Networks Person type : Writer , Coder, Implementer, Designer , Developer , Fixer Education levels : From Bachelor’s Degree upwards Salary indication : From $98k to $130k annually / $42 – $52 per hour Labor market : A whopping 26% from 2016 – 2016 (350.000 jobs) Organizations : All

Software Engineer Resume Examples in PDF

>Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (2) | >Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (3)

>Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (4) | >Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (5)

>Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (6) | >Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (7)

>Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (8) | >Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (9)

>Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (10) | >Resume – Software Engineer.PDF (11)

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5 Rules for Writing a Software Engineer Resume That Will Get You Hired (Plus Example)

Software engineers are in high demand, so there’s no shortage of opportunities for people with the right skills. But just because you know how to design cloud solutions or build server-side web applications doesn’t mean you’ll instantly have scores of interviews lined up the minute you decide to look for a new job. You’re going to need to write a great resume first.

“A great software engineer resume should have a clear narrative about who you are as an employee,” says Peenak Inamdar, Director of Engineering at The Muse. “For example, are you great at execution, are you a self-starter, do you thrive in ambiguously defined roles, or are you a pinch hitter for your skill set?” Beyond simply listing your work history, your resume should capture the full breadth of your experience as it relates to the roles you’re pursuing, thus painting a fuller picture of what you bring to the table. Here’s how to do it.

1. Customize the User (or Reader) Experience

Most candidate applications will pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before they reach a pair of human eyes. These programs scan each resume submitted for a job posting in search of relevant keywords to determine whether a candidate’s skills are a match for the job. If your resume is devoid of relevant terms, the ATS will probably reject your application—even if you have the right experience. So for starters, you’ll want to incorporate as many job-specific and industry-specific keywords as possible, notes Muse career coach Steven Davis, owner of Renaissance Solutions Inc. , a coaching and recruiting agency specializing in software engineering, product manager, and project manager opportunities.

Beyond that, “Try to tailor your resume to the specific job posting where possible,” Inamdar says. “Hiring managers will compare the narrative of your resume to their role to determine whether your experience is compatible.” Think: What does the recruiter or hiring manager need to know about your experience in order to understand that you’re qualified?

So as you read through a job description, take note of the skills, responsibilities, languages, and programs mentioned and remember: If you have experience with anything listed, it belongs on your resume.

On the flip side, try to avoid including skills or experiences that don’t apply. “Utilizing words or descriptions that don’t match job requirements” is one of the biggest mistakes software engineers make when drafting their resumes, according to Davis.

Relevant keywords will vary from one specialty, company, or job posting to the next, but here are a few to get you started, depending on your area of expertise:

Front-End Development Keywords

• Back-End Data Display
• Collaborate with Back-End Developers
• Collaborate with Web Designers
• Create Web Pages
• Current Web Trends
• Dynamic Web Page Design
• Framework Templates
• Search Engine Optimization
• Software Workflow
• Styling and Color Design
• User Interface
• UX (User Experience)
• Website Content Display
• Website Navigation Optimization

Back-End Development Keywords

• Application Scaling
• Back-End Framework
• Back-End Programming Language
• Database Administration
• Front-End Web Technologies
• Hosting Environment
• Load Changes
• Security Compliance
• Version Control (e.g. Git)

Web Development Keywords

• Agile Software Development
• Application Code
• Command Lines
• Continuous Integration
• DevOps Practices
• Front-End Systems
• LAMP Development
• Object-Oriented Design
• Responsive Design
• Server-Side Scripting
• Version Control Systems
• Writing Modules

2. Feature Your Technical Know-How

Software engineers rely on specific programs, systems, and languages to perform their jobs, so recruiters will be especially interested in the technical skills section of your resume. That means it’s well worth investing some serious time and effort into creating a detailed technical skills section. “When I’m reviewing a candidate’s resume, I want to see how the technologies they’ve listed align with what we use. Does their technical experience mesh well with where we are as a company?” Inamdar says.

Breaking this portion of your resume down into more specific subsections will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to spot the specific skills they’re looking for (check out the example resume below to see this in action), so before you sit down to write your resume, make a list of the specific systems, methodologies, and platforms you’ve worked with, and note your corresponding level of expertise in each (e.g. are you fluent in JavaScript? Familiar with AngularJS? An expert in Python?). Bonus points if you’ve attended a training course or earned a certification!

Need a few examples? Davis has you covered. “Front-end developers should include frameworks such as Angular or React, back-end developers need to highlight their knowledge of the inner workings of web applications and server-side buildouts, and full-stack engineers should mention their use of Node.js or Serverless.” Davis also has a reminder for full-stack engineers: “It’s imperative to include experience with both front-end and back-end development.”

Again, tailoring your resume for each job description is crucial—especially as you’re drafting your technical skills section.

3. Be Specific About Your Accomplishments

“A great software engineer resume will demonstrate quantifiable success in areas like designing and delivering cloud solutions [or] using the latest technologies and development methodologies in DevOps, or [they’ll show their] experience with microservices, Lean, Agile, Serverless, containerization, and cloud platforms,” Davis says. Describing your experience using specific details (like the type of project, the technologies used, or the type of client) and outcomes (like a completed website design, successful application launch, or a % decrease in code churn) will help to bring your resume to life and help recruiters better understand how your experience fits into the opening they’re looking to fill.

“Make it a priority to provide context and highlight not just what your skills are, but when and how you applied them,” Inamdar explains. “If you know Scrum, when did you use it? If you’re an expert in Python, at which job did you use that language?”

So instead of writing a bland bullet point like “responsible for delivering end-to-end solutions using cloud-native platforms,” you could craft something much more compelling, like “leveraged architectural expertise in Kubernetes cloud-native platform to deliver mature end-to-end solutions for 20 unique internal applications teams.”

Notice how the second example includes details about the platform this candidate uses (Kubernetes), who they’re developing solutions for (internal applications teams), and the scope of their responsibilities (20 separate teams). Incorporating key details, technologies, or quantifiable metrics wherever possible will help your resume stand out.

Try using the below formula to craft bullet points that will paint a more detailed picture of your experience.

• Action Verb + Job Duty + Key Details (e.g. technologies used or % increase) = Outcome

4. Choose the Right Layout

“It’s important to choose a resume layout that allows you to create a narrative that’s easy for the reader to follow. They should quickly be able to understand what you’re looking for and what your experience is,” Inamdar advises. So unless you’re making a major career pivot (more on that below), a traditional chronological layout is probably the way to go. Recruiters tend to favor chronological resumes because they’re straightforward and easy to follow.

Similarly, avoid design elements that will make your resume hard to scan—either by a computer or by a person. “Too much formatting makes your resume less searchable,” Inamdar says. For example, some ATSs have issues parsing columns and will read them straight across. Meanwhile, an overly flashy design may make it hard for even a human to quickly pick out the information they want from your resume.

Dividing your resume into clear sections (like education, experience, and technical skills) will also make a recruiter’s job easier. “Keep the formatting as simple as possible and avoid using fonts that are hard to read,” Inamdar says. “The focus should be on your work history and your skills.”

If you’re feeling nervous about getting past the ATS but want to show off your design chops, consider creating an online portfolio that you can link out to from your resume. Check out Alex Motzenbecker or Joe Laquinte’s portfolios for two good examples.

5. Remember the Basic Framework of Resume Design

No matter what your specialties are or where you are in your career, there are a few tried and true resume writing rules you’ll want to keep in mind as you draft your own.

Try to keep it to a single page. Most recruiters prefer resumes that are tailored and to the point. So unless you have decades of experience, a single-page resume should suffice. Streamlining the content of your resume to reflect the job posting you’re applying to and keeping the focus on your most recent experience should help you to keep your word count down.

Call out your key achievements. If you’ve worked on multiple projects throughout your tenure at a particular job, you might want to consider creating a key achievements subsection. This helps you highlight the projects you’re most proud of—and the ones that are most relevant to the position. You’ll see this in action on the sample resume below.

Don’t forget to edit. Your resume is a reflection of your skills and qualifications, so you’ll want to make sure it’s perfect before you click submit. Be sure to proofread every draft of your resume—even if you’re positive it’s error-free. You may also want to enlist a friend, family member, or colleague to give it a read, too!

If You’re New to the Field or Making a Pivot

If you’ve never technically worked as a software engineer, but recently earned a computer science degree or completed a robust training program (like a coding bootcamp ), you can still create a stellar resume. You’ll just need to make a few minor tweaks to the traditional format.

Write a Summary

When executed properly, summaries can serve to bridge the gap between your past experience, recent training, and future goals, helping recruiters to better understand how your skills might translate into the role you’re hoping to land. Here’s how it might all come together:

Creative, technical, design-savvy recent coding program graduate fluent in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Excited to blend graphic design experience with hands-on technical training in a junior-level front-end software engineering role.

Be Consistent

In addition to writing a strong resume with a focus on your most transferable skills, you’ll want to be sure you also have an updated LinkedIn profile and corresponding cover letter . “If someone is making a career pivot, I want to see consistency,” Inamdar says. “I’ll always look at their cover letter for additional context.”

Emphasize Your Education

If you don’t have much (or any) direct professional experience to speak of, your education, training, and technical skills will be especially important. So you’ll want to be sure that it stands out. Creating detailed “Education and Training” and “Technical Skills” sections and featuring them prominently toward the top of your resume will help highlight your transferable qualifications.

Play Up Your Projects

Remember that the projects you’ve completed in school totally count. You might want to consider creating a dedicated “Software Engineering Projects” section (below your education and technical skills sections) to detail your experience designing a website, coding with JavaScript, or building a web server while you were in school.

Think Outside the Box About What’s Relevant

“If you’re a career switcher, don’t feel like you need to hide your past work experience—whatever it might be,” Inamdar says. “The skills you’ve already learned are an asset because it means your next employer won’t need to teach you.” So for example, if you’ve worked as an administrative assistant before going to a coding bootcamp, don’t be shy about hiding your relevant responsibilities. “If you’ve done lots of planning or project execution, call it out. Be proud of it. Don’t bury it,” Inamdar advises.

Weigh Your Layout Options

Finally, if you’re making a career pivot, you might want to consider an alternative layout (maybe a combination or functional resume ), as these formats take the focus off of your chronological work experience while giving you the flexibility to feature your most relevant experience most prominently. One caveat, though: Recruiters and hiring managers tend to prefer more traditional chronological layouts, so there are tradeoffs to using an alternative. You can read up on the pros and cons of every option here .

Now for an Example

Whether you’re a front-end, back-end, or full-stack software engineer, you’ll want to be sure that your resume hits the right points.

As you read through the below example, make note of the relevant keywords, detailed technical skills and education sections, quantified experience, and clearly defined sections. You’ll also notice that this candidate has included external links to projects they’ve worked on and to their website. This can be a great way to showcase your creativity and accomplishments without adding length or design elements to your resume.

While your finished product might feature a different layout, focus, or specialty, it should still include the same basic building blocks.

Download an example software engineer resume

Your resume is a reflection of your experience, expertise, and creativity, so investing time and energy into getting it right is sure to pay off. Remember, tailoring your resume to reflect the job description, incorporating relevant keywords, and getting specific about the details of your experience will serve to strengthen your resume and ultimately help you land your next job.

Watch related employer videos:

• Career Blog

Software Engineer Resume Examples & Writing Tips for 2024

As the demand for skilled Software Engineers continues to rise, it is essential to have an effective resume that showcases your skills and experiences in the field. Your resume serves as a first impression to potential employers, so it is crucial to make sure it highlights your strengths and qualifications.

In this article, we will discuss the purpose of an effective Software Engineer resume and the importance of having a strong one. We will also provide Software Engineer resume examples and writing tips to help you create a standout document that can help you land your dream job.

Purpose of an Effective Software Engineer Resume

The main purpose of a Software Engineer resume is to communicate your skills, experiences, and achievements in the field to potential employers. A well-crafted resume should highlight your technical abilities, programming skills, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of programming languages and software development methodologies.

Your resume should also showcase your ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, as Software Engineering often involves working closely with other professionals such as product managers, designers, and data analysts.

Importance of a Strong Software Engineer Resume

A strong Software Engineer resume can be the key to landing interviews and job offers from top tech companies. In a highly competitive job market, your resume can make all the difference in whether or not you get noticed by recruiters and hiring managers.

A well-crafted resume that showcases your technical abilities, experience, and achievements in the field can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Additionally, a strong resume can help you negotiate a higher salary and better benefits once you land the job.

Having an effective Software Engineer resume is essential for advancing your career in the field of Software Engineering. In the next sections of this article, we will provide Software Engineer resume examples and writing tips to help you create a standout document that can help you achieve your career goals.

Understanding the Position of a Software Engineer

In order to create an effective software engineer resume, it is important to understand the job description and responsibilities of the position, as well as the skills and qualities required for the role.

Job Description and Responsibilities of a Software Engineer

Software engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing computer software. This may include creating applications, operating systems, databases, or other software programs that are used by businesses and consumers.

The job of a software engineer typically includes:

• Collaborating with project managers, designers, and other developers to plan and execute software development projects
• Writing clean, efficient code that is easily maintainable and scalable
• Conducting thorough testing to ensure that software works as expected and meets user requirements
• Debugging and troubleshooting software errors and issues
• Staying up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies in software development
• Documenting software design, development, and testing processes

Skills and Qualities Required for the Position

In addition to technical skills related to software development, software engineers must possess a number of important qualities in order to succeed in the role. These include:

• Analytical thinking: Software engineers must be able to analyze complex software problems and develop effective solutions.
• Attention to detail: A single error in a software program can have significant consequences, so individuals in this role must be extremely detail-oriented and meticulous.
• Collaboration: Software development is rarely a solitary endeavor, so software engineers must be able to collaborate effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Communication: Software engineers must be able to clearly communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Creativity: Developing innovative solutions to complex problems is a key part of the software engineer’s role.
• Flexibility: Software engineers must be able to adapt to constantly changing requirements and timelines.
• Patience and perseverance: Debugging software errors and issues can be a frustrating process, so software engineers must be patient and persistent in their approach.

A successful software engineer should possess a unique combination of technical expertise, analytical thinking, and interpersonal skills. By highlighting these skills and qualities on their resume, software engineers can prove that they have what it takes to excel in this challenging and rewarding field.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Crafting a Software Engineer Resume

When crafting a software engineer resume, there are certain common mistakes that you should avoid to make sure that it stands out from the rest. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common mistakes that you should avoid when crafting your software engineer resume.

Highlighting irrelevant skills and experience

One common mistake that many people make when crafting their software engineer resume is highlighting irrelevant skills and experience. While it may be tempting to include every skill and experience you have had, it is important to ensure that they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Focus on the skills and experience that directly relate to the job description.

Overcrowding the resume

Another mistake to avoid is overcrowding your resume. You may feel inclined to include every detail about your experience and qualifications, but it is important to remember that hiring managers are looking for clarity and conciseness in a resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your strongest qualifications and accomplishments.

Failing to showcase past accomplishments

Many job applicants forget to focus on their past accomplishments in their resume. This is a big mistake, as hiring managers are interested in seeing how you have made a significant impact in previous roles. Make sure to include specific examples of your accomplishments, such as a software project that you completed or a programming language that you are proficient in.

Using an unprofessional email or voicemail

Finally, it is important to ensure that your contact information is professional. Avoid using an email or voicemail that is unprofessional or inappropriate. Instead, use an email with a professional username and a voicemail message that is clear and concise.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your software engineer resume stands out and accurately represents your skills and qualifications.

Key Elements to Include in a Software Engineer Resume

When assembling a software engineer resume, it is important to include specific skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. This not only highlights your strengths, but also showcases your expertise and knowledge in your field. Be sure to tailor your skills section to each position you apply for, and include any relevant programming languages, tools, and methodologies.

In addition to your skills, a summary or objective statement is important for the recruiter or employer to understand your career aspirations and focus. This statement should be concise, clear and highlight the value you can offer to the organization.

Your work experience section should highlight any programming and development experience you have had. This section should be organized chronologically, beginning with your most recent position. Be sure to emphasize your contributions and accomplishments in each role, as this will demonstrate your impact on the organization.

Your educational background and qualifications section should list your degrees, certifications, and any relevant coursework. This is an opportunity to showcase your educational achievements and how they have prepared you for success in your software engineering career.

A well-crafted software engineering resume emphasizes your unique skills, qualifications, and experiences. Keep in mind that the goal is to catch the recruiter’s attention, so ensure that your resume highlights what sets you apart from other candidates.

Writing Tips for a Perfect Software Engineer Resume

When it comes to standing out in a crowded job market, your resume is your ticket to success. As a software engineer, you are in high demand, but that doesn’t mean you can skimp on the details. Here are some tips to help you craft the perfect software engineer resume:

Including Keywords for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many companies use ATS to help screen resumes before they ever make it to a human recruiter. To ensure that your resume gets through this stage, be sure to include relevant keywords from the job description. If you’re not sure what these are, try using a word cloud tool like Wordle to analyze the job posting.

Tailoring the Resume to the Specific Job Posting

No two jobs are exactly alike, so don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach to your resume. Be sure to read the job posting thoroughly and tailor your resume to the specific requirements of the position. This means highlighting relevant experience, skills, and achievements that are directly applicable to the job at hand.

Using Bullet Points for Easy Readability

Employers are busy people, so make it easy for them to quickly find the most important information on your resume. Use bullet points and concise wording to emphasize key achievements and qualifications. This will help your resume stand out from the rest and increase your chances of getting an interview.

Highlighting Achievements and Metrics

A laundry list of job duties is not enough to land you your dream job. Instead, focus on highlighting your achievements and specific metrics to demonstrate your value. How did you improve processes, save time and money, or increase revenue? Make sure to quantify these achievements whenever possible and use specific examples to showcase your skills and experience.

Remember, your resume is the first impression you’ll make on a potential employer. Take the time to craft a standout resume that showcases your skills, achievements, and potential. With the right approach, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job as a software engineer.

Formatting an Effective Software Engineer Resume

When it comes to creating an effective software engineer resume, proper formatting is key. This includes choosing the right font and font size, prioritizing important information, and correctly resizing and formatting any included images.

Choosing the Right Font and Font Size

When it comes to choosing a font for your resume, it’s important to remember that the goal is to be clear and easily readable for recruiters and hiring managers. Some popular font choices for resumes include Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer – ultimately, the font you choose should reflect your personal style and be easy on the eyes.

In terms of font size, it’s generally recommended to use a 10-12 point font for your body text, with headers and section titles being slightly larger. You want to ensure that your font is big enough to be easily read while not being so large that it takes up unnecessary space on your resume.

Prioritizing Important Information

One of the most important aspects of resume formatting is organizing your information in a way that presents your skills and accomplishments most effectively. This means prioritizing the most relevant and impressive information towards the top of your resume, while minimizing the amount of irrelevant or outdated information.

Start with a brief summary statement that highlights your experience and goals, then move on to a section outlining your relevant work experience and education. You may also want to include sections for your technical skills, certifications, and any notable achievements related to software engineering.

Resizing and Formatting Images

If you choose to include images in your software engineer resume (such as a headshot or a logo for a project you completed), it’s important to properly size and format them to ensure that they don’t detract from the rest of your content.

Start by ensuring that any images you include are high-quality and professional-looking. You can then use image editing software to resize and format them as needed (remember to keep file size low for faster resume uploads and email attachments).

Creating a well-formatted software engineer resume involves a balance of style and substance. Prioritize the most important information, use clear and readable fonts, and take care when including any images to create a document that accurately reflects your skills and experience. ** Examples of Effective Software Engineer Resumes

As a software engineer, your resume is your ticket to landing your dream job. It is important to make sure your resume stands out in a sea of other applicants. Here are some examples of effective software engineer resumes for entry-level and experienced professionals, along with downloadable templates to help you get started.

Sample Resumes for Entry-Level Software Engineers

When writing a resume as an entry-level software engineer, it is important to focus on your academic achievements and any relevant internships or projects. Highlight any programming languages or technologies you have experience with. Here are some sample resumes to help you get started:

Example 1: Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume

• Objective statement: Seeking a software engineer role to utilize my programming skills to create efficient and innovative software.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from XYZ University
• Skills: Proficient in Java, Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL
• Projects: Developed a web application for a local nonprofit organization using React and Node.js
• Extracurriculars: Member of the Computer Science Club, Hackathon participant

Example 2: Entry-Level Software Engineer Resume

• Objective statement: Seeking a software engineer position to apply my knowledge of Java and web development to create scalable software products.
• Education: Master of Science in Computer Science from ABC University
• Skills: Proficient in Java, C++, Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Projects: Developed a mobile application using Android Studio and Java
• Extracurriculars: Member of the Society of Women Engineers, Volunteer at local coding workshops

Example Resumes for Experienced Software Engineers

If you are an experienced software engineer, it is important to highlight your professional work experience and any specific accomplishments in your field. Make sure to include any certifications or awards you have earned. Here are some examples of experienced software engineer resumes:

Example 1: Experienced Software Engineer Resume

• Objective statement: Seeking a senior software engineer position to leverage my experience in C++ and Windows development to create world-class software products.
• Work experience: 7+ years of experience as a software engineer at XYZ Corporation, where I led the development of a data storage system using C++ and Windows Server.
• Skills: Proficient in C++, Java, Python, and SQL
• Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Awards: Recipient of the Software Engineer of the Year award at XYZ Corporation

Example 2: Experienced Software Engineer Resume

• Objective statement: Seeking a software engineering position to utilize my experience in full-stack web development and leadership skills to create cutting-edge software products.
• Work experience: 5+ years of experience as a senior software engineer at ABC Inc., where I led the development of multiple web applications using React, Node.js, and Angular.
• Skills: Proficient in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React, Node.

Action Verbs for Writing a Compelling Software Engineer Resume

When it comes to crafting a winning software engineer resume, using the right action verbs can make all the difference in showcase your past accomplishments and responsibilities. Here are some of the most commonly used action verbs found in job postings for software engineers:

Developed: This verb is often used to describe the creation of new software, applications or systems. For example: “Developed web-based application for client-server system”.

Implemented: This verb refers to the act of bringing a new system, software or process into effect. For example: “Implemented new machine learning algorithm resulting in 25% increase in efficiency”.

Improved: This verb is used to indicate progress made towards optimizing a system, application or process. For example: “Improved website loading time by 50% through code optimization”.

Debugged: This verb refers to the process of finding and resolving bugs, errors or issues within software. For example: “Debugged software to ensure compatibility across multiple devices and operating systems”.

Analyzed: This verb is used to describe the act of examining data or information to gain insight into a system or process. For example: “Analyzed user data to identify key areas for improvement and developed a new feature to address these needs”.

Designed: This verb is often used to describe the creation of new software or systems. For example: “Designed and developed a custom content management system for a major online news outlet”.

Collaborated: This verb is used to indicate a team-oriented approach to problem-solving or development. For example: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of features and resolved any issues along the way”.

Using these action verbs in your resume can help you to showcase your past accomplishments and responsibilities in a clear and concise way that is sure to impress hiring managers. When writing your resume, focus on using these verbs to highlight your most relevant experience and expertise in the field of software engineering.

Cover Letters for Software Engineer Jobs

Cover letters are an essential component of any job application, including those for software engineer jobs. They serve as a personal introduction of the candidate to the hiring manager, highlighting their relevant skills and experience, and explaining why they are the best fit for the job. In this section, we will discuss the purpose and importance of a cover letter for a software engineer job, as well as the elements to include and some writing tips for making your cover letter stand out.

Purpose and Importance of a Cover Letter

The purpose of a cover letter is to provide additional information about the candidate that is not present on their resume. It should be used to introduce yourself as a person, beyond just your technical qualifications. A cover letter is your chance to show the employer that you are not just a set of skills and achievements listed on a piece of paper, but that you are a well-rounded individual with a passion for technology and a desire to learn and grow in your field.

A well-crafted cover letter can also help to address any gaps in your resume, such as a career change or a break in employment. It can also be used to explain why you are interested in working for a particular company or in a specific role, which can help you stand out from other candidates.

Elements to Include in a Software Engineer Cover Letter

When writing a cover letter for a software engineer job, include the following elements:

1. Personal Introduction

Start your letter with a brief introduction about who you are and the position you are applying for. Include your name, contact information, and a brief summary of your career goals.

2. Overview of Qualifications

Next, provide an overview of your qualifications for the job. Highlight your technical skills and experience, as well as any relevant education or certifications.

3. Relevant Projects

Provide examples of relevant projects that you have worked on in the past. Discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as any notable achievements or results.

4. Passion for Technology

Show your passion for technology by discussing specific areas of technology that interest you, as well as any personal projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise.

5. Call to Action

End your cover letter with a call to action, encouraging the hiring manager to review your resume and consider you for the job. Thank them for their time and consideration.

Writing Tips for a Strong Cover Letter

Here are some writing tips for making your cover letter stand out:

1. Tailor Your Letter

Tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company you are applying to. Research the company and job description to understand what they are looking for, and tailor your letter to fit their needs.

2. Be Concise

Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to the hiring manager.

3. Highlight Your Skills and Accomplishments

Use your cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments. Instead of simply rehashing your resume, choose a few key achievements or experiences that directly align with the job requirements and showcase how you can add value to the company.

4. Show Enthusiasm and Passion

Express your genuine enthusiasm and passion for the role and the company. Hiring managers are often looking for candidates who are not only qualified but also enthusiastic about the opportunity. Let your passion shine through in your cover letter to leave a positive impression.

5. Address the Hiring Manager by Name

Whenever possible, address the hiring manager by name in your cover letter. This shows that you have taken the time to research and personalize your application. If the name is not provided in the job posting, try to find it through LinkedIn or the company’s website.

6. Use Strong and Positive Language

Use strong and positive language throughout your cover letter. Avoid generic phrases and clichés, and instead, choose words that convey confidence and professionalism. Focus on the value you can bring to the company and the impact you have made in previous roles.

7. Proofread and Edit

Before sending your cover letter, carefully proofread it for any grammatical or spelling errors. Pay attention to formatting and ensure that the letter is well-structured and easy to read. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well, as fresh eyes can often catch mistakes or provide valuable feedback.

8. Follow a Professional Format

Follow a professional format for your cover letter, including a proper salutation, introduction, body paragraphs, and closing. Use a professional tone and maintain a consistent writing style throughout. Be sure to include your contact information and a polite closing statement.

9. Keep It Professional

Maintain a professional tone in your cover letter. While it’s important to show your personality and enthusiasm, avoid sharing personal information or unrelated anecdotes. Stick to the relevant information and present yourself as a qualified and professional candidate.

10. Thank the Hiring Manager

Close your cover letter by expressing gratitude and thanking the hiring manager for considering your application. Reiterate your interest in the role and express your eagerness to further discuss your qualifications in an interview.

Remember, your cover letter should complement your resume and provide additional context and insight into your qualifications and motivations. Use these writing tips to craft a strong and compelling cover letter that makes a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Additional Tips and Tricks for Writing a Stellar Software Engineer Resume

As a software engineer, your technical expertise and experience are crucial in creating a strong resume that showcases your abilities. However, there are other factors that can make your resume stand out from the competition. Here are some additional tips and tricks to consider when writing your software engineer resume.

Relevance of Personal Projects and Hobbies

Including personal projects and hobbies on your resume can demonstrate your passion for software engineering and highlight additional skills that may be relevant to the position. For example, if you enjoy building websites in your spare time, you can list these projects and discuss the specific technologies you used and the outcomes you achieved. This can show that you are a well-rounded candidate with a strong interest in your field.

Soft Skills to Highlight

While technical skills are important, soft skills are equally important in the software engineering industry. Highlighting these skills on your resume can demonstrate that you are not only a skilled programmer but also a valuable team member. Soft skills to consider including on your resume can include communication skills, collaboration skills, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.

How to Incorporate Links to Online Profiles and Portfolios

If you have an online presence, such as a personal website or Github profile, it can add value to your resume. Including links to these profiles can demonstrate your skills and interests outside of work. When including links, make sure they are easily accessible and labeled clearly. Additionally, if you have a personal portfolio, consider including a brief summary of your experience and outcomes achieved.

By including personal projects and hobbies, highlighting soft skills, and incorporating links to online profiles and portfolios, you can create a strong software engineer resume that stands out to potential employers. Make sure to tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying for, and showcase your skills and accomplishments in a clear and concise manner.

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• • Championed CI/CD processes using Jenkins and Docker, reducing deployment times by 50% and facilitating consistent, daily production updates
• • Authored comprehensive unit and functional test suites for new software modules, leading to a 30% decrease in post-deployment bugs detected
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• • Enhanced user authentication and security by implementing OAuth and JWT, securing user data across platforms
• • Optimized SQL and NoSQL database queries, reducing load times by 20% and enhancing user experience
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• • Implemented new features for a cloud-based SaaS product, benefiting over 1,000 enterprise clients
• • Reduced application load time by 25% by re-factoring inefficient code and optimizing front-end assets
• • Initiated a corporate-wide code review practice, which improved code quality by 30%
• • Contributed to the creation of a customer support chatbot using AI technologies, enhancing customer service response times by 40%

10 Senior Software Engineer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

In the role of Senior Software Engineer, you drive the design, development, and maintenance of complex software systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams. Highlight your experience with successful project deliveries, proficiency in multiple programming languages, and leadership in mentoring junior developers on your resume. Incorporate technical skills such as cloud computing, containerization, and advanced problem-solving techniques to demonstrate your expertise. Emphasize outcomes from your projects, such as increased efficiency or revenue growth, along with any contributions to team culture or knowledge sharing that illustrate your impact.

All resume examples in this guide

Single Column

Resume Guide

Resume Format Tips

Resume Experience

Skills on Resume

Education & Certifications

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

As a senior software engineer, articulating your extensive technical experience without overwhelming your resume with jargon or an exhaustive list of projects can be challenging. Our guide is crafted to help you distill your expertise into compelling, succinct bullet points, ensuring your resume strikes the perfect balance between depth and readability.

• Format your senior software engineer resume to ensure that it balances professionalism with creativity, and follows the best practices.
• Match the senior software engineer job requirements by including industry keywords on your resume.
• Use various resume sections to showcase your skills and achievements to answer why you're the best candidate for the senior software engineer role.

Take inspiration from leading senior software engineer resume examples to learn how to tailor your experience.

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Don't stress out over your senior software engineer resume format

Remember, the elaborate design of your senior software engineer resume isn't what impresses recruiters most. They are primarily searching for candidates who meet the job requirements. The main aim of your resume should be to clearly and concisely explain why employers should hire you.

Here are four straightforward steps to consider in your senior software engineer resume design:

• Organize your resume based on experience : Start with your most recent roles. Besides using reverse chronological order, choose jobs relevant to the position you're applying for.
• Include your contact details (and portfolio or LinkedIn link) in your resume's header to ensure recruiters can easily reach you. If considering adding a professional photo, check acceptable practices in different countries first.
• Don't omit essential senior software engineer resume sections such as the summary or objective, experience, and education. These sections should reflect your career progression and align with job requirements.
• Maintain conciseness in your resume. For those with less than ten years of experience, a one-page format is advisable.

Regarding the format to submit your senior software engineer resume, PDF is preferable . PDFs are more likely to maintain their formatting when processed through recruitment software or ATS, saving you time in the application process.

When selecting a font for your senior software engineer resume, consider the following:

• Choose ATS-friendly fonts such as Exo 2, Volkhov, Lato, etc., to keep your resume's content legible;
• All serif and sans-serif fonts are easily readable by ATS;
• While Arial and Times New Roman are common choices, opting for unique typography can help your resume stand out.

Concerned about ATS compatibility with charts and infographics? Our recent study has debunked this and other myths .

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If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your senior software engineer resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.

Traditional sections, appreciated by recruiters, for your senior software engineer resume:

• Clear and concise header with relevant links and contact details
• Summary or objective with precise snapshot of our career highlights and why you're a suitable candidate for the senior software engineer role
• Experience that goes into the nuts and bolts of your professional qualifications and success
• Skills section(-s) for more in-depth talent-alignment between job keywords and your own profile
• Education and certifications sections to further show your commitment for growth in the specific niche

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Proven experience in software development, showcasing expertise in programming languages and frameworks relevant to the job.
• Demonstration of complex problem-solving skills and the ability to design scalable, efficient solutions.
• Leadership experience, including mentoring junior developers and leading project teams to successful deliveries.
• Knowledge of software development lifecycles, including agile methodologies, and experience with continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
• A portfolio of successful projects that show technical depth and innovation, as well as delivered value to previous employers or clients.

Experts' advice on writing your senior software engineer resume experience

While the excitement and motivation for writing your senior software engineer resume was present in the first hour (or so), you now find yourself staring at the blank page.

The resume experience section is the one that allows you to make a memorable impression by matching job requirement with your past jobs and accomplishments.

To help you write this resume section, here are four mistakes you need to avoid:

• Listing every job you have had so far, including the irrelevant ones. Before that, consider each of your past roles based on relevancy to the role. It may be the case that the job you had 15 years ago may have taught you invaluable skills that are appropriate for the role;
• Including irrelevant work experience items . Those are past jobs that aren't linked with the role you're applying for (or so they seem). Consider how your past jobs will serve your professional presentation: will they be filling in a gap in your work history, or just taking up space?
• Focusing on responsibilities instead of accomplishments. Your senior software engineer resume shouldn't just be telling recruiters what you did in the past - as it's most often the case that candidates have had similar responsibilities. But, rather, the experience section should showcase the success you've attained in each past role, thanks to your unique skill set;
• Consider listing just your professional experience. Any role you've had in the past - e.g. volunteering, internships, etc. - can make it into your senior software engineer resume experience section. Make sure to include it alongside numbers and results.

Two more things you need to remember about your resume experience section.

The first are keywords. Or those specific job requirements that are crucial for the role . Ensure you've integrated them across your experience section to get sorted closer to the ideal candidate profile by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS).

The second are action verbs. Each of your experience bullets should start with a strong action verb , followed by your specific skill and your on the job achievements. Follow this formula to hint to recruiters what your unique value as a professional is.

Still with us? In the next section, we will show you how industry-leading professionals have avoided the four most common mistakes, while integrating keywords and action verbs in their experience section.

• Led a team of 5 engineers in developing a scalable, microservices-based e-commerce platform, resulting in a 30% increase in service uptime and customer satisfaction.
• Spearheaded the integration of machine learning algorithms for personalized user experiences, driving a 25% boost in user engagement and retention rates.
• Implemented comprehensive unit and integration testing procedures that reduced system bugs by 40% and improved deployment cycles by 15%.
• Designed and executed a complete overhaul of the existing payment system which handled over $200M in transactions monthly, while ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Collaborated across departments to assess and migrate legacy systems to highly available cloud-based solutions, reducing operating costs by 20%.
• Optimized backend services by implementing a new caching strategy, which reduced load times by 35% and significantly improved the user experience.
• Managed full-stack development of a cross-platform mobile application used by 3M+ users for real-time communication, which expanded the company’s mobile presence.
• Drove the containerization of applications using Docker, improving the efficiency of the development lifecycle and achieving a 50% reduction in environment setup times for new projects.
• Coordinated with cross-functional teams to deliver a robust continuous integration and deployment pipeline, enhancing productivity and reducing release cycle times by 30%.
• Developed a high-frequency trading platform that processed 10,000 transactions per second, contributing to a 15% increase in trading volumes.
• Mentored junior developers and conducted code reviews to ensure adherence to best practices and maintain the high-quality standards of the software delivers.
• Optimized SQL database queries and schemas, resulting in a 50% improvement in data retrieval times and supporting faster decision-making processes.
• Initiated and led the development of a cloud-based SaaS solution for project management, leading to a 20% increase in organizational efficiency for client companies.
• Facilitated the transition of the team to Agile methodologies, improving project delivery times by 25% and enhancing collaboration between the development and operations teams.
• Customized and optimized an open-source CRM solution to fit company needs, enabling a 40% increase in lead generation and sales tracking capabilities.
• Undertook the migration of a legacy enterprise system to a modern Java-based framework, resulting in a 35% maintenance cost reduction and a more scalable architecture.
• Architected a robust security protocol for sensitive medical data, ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards and safeguarding against data breaches.
• Developed an AI-driven diagnostic tool which became instrumental in enhancing the accuracy of patient treatment plans and improving health outcomes.
• Lead the architecting of a high-throughput data pipeline for big data analytics, handling over 5TB of data daily, thus enabling richer insights for strategic decision-making.
• Pioneered the use of Kubernetes in production environments, resulting in a more resilient infrastructure and a 60% decrease in system downtime.
• Developed a series of custom Jenkins plugins to streamline build and deployment processes, which has led to a 25% increase in deployment frequency while maintaining zero downtime.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by developing a responsive, feature-rich internal tool for customer support, which decreased average issue resolution time by 30%.
• Automated build and testing workflows for mobile applications, which accelerated the development cycle by 22% and enabled quicker bug identification and fixes.
• Initiated and promoted a company-wide code quality initiative, monitoring and improving code coverage from 70% to over 90%, significantly reducing potential for critical bugs.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Specify the number of developers you’ve led in past projects to demonstrate leadership scale.
• Include the percentage of increased efficiency in software you've engineered to show productivity gains.
• Mention the amount of revenue generated from the software solutions you've developed to indicate business impact.
• Detail the reduction in codebase complexity or size to illustrate your optimization skills.
• Quantify the number of bugs or issues you've resolved to highlight your problem-solving abilities.
• Record the decrease in response time after optimizations to reflect performance improvements.
• List the number of features or modules you've implemented to show your contribution to product growth.
• Note the percentage of test coverage achieved in your projects to underscore your commitment to quality assurance.

Action verbs for your senior software engineer resume

What can candidates do about their resume, if they have no experience

Job requirements can sometimes be answered by other elements you could make more prominent in your senior software engineer resume.

Thus, you'd be substituting your lack of experience with your relevant:

• Education with details of skills you've obtained that align with the job
• Internships and short-term jobs that are once more dedicated to putting your expertise in the spotlight
• Skills section answering basic and - potentially - more specific job qualifications
• Strengths or accomplishments to show the unique value you present, even as a candidate with less or no professional experience in the industry.

Recommended reads:

• How To List Certifications On A Resume (Examples Included)
• When Should You Include Your High School on Your Resume?

Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.

The heart and soul of your senior software engineer resume: hard skills and soft skills

If you read between the lines of the senior software engineer role you're applying for, you'll discover that all requirements are linked with candidates' hard skills and soft skills.

What do those skills have to do with your application?

Hard or technical skills are the ones that hint at your aptitude with particular technologies. They are easy to quantify via your professional experience or various certifications.

Meanwhile, your soft skills are more difficult to assess as they are personality traits, you've gained thanks to working in different environments/teams/organizations.

Your senior software engineer resume skills section is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on both types of skills by:

• Dedicating a technical skills section to list up to six technologies you're apt at.
• Focusing a strengths section on your achievements, thanks to using particular people skills or technologies.
• Including a healthy balance of hard and soft skills in the skills section to answer key job requirements.
• Creating a language skills section with your proficiency level - to hint at an abundance of soft skills you've obtained, thanks to your dedication to learning a particular language.

Within the next section of this guide, stay tuned for some of the most trending hard skills and soft skills across the industry.

Top skills for your Senior Software Engineer resume:

RESTful APIs

Microservices

Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Communication

Adaptability

Time Management

Critical Thinking

Attention to Detail

If you're in the process of obtaining your certificate or degree, list the expected date you're supposed to graduate or be certified.

How to include your education and certifications on your resume

We're taking you back to your college days with this part of our guide, but including your relevant higher education is quite important for your resume.

Your degree shows recruiters your dedication to the industry, your recent and relevant know-how, and some form of experience in the field.

Your senior software engineer resume education should:

• Include your applicable degrees, college (-s) you've graduated from, as well as start and end dates of your higher education;
• Skip your high school diploma. If you still haven't graduated with your degree, list that your higher education is ongoing ;
• Feature any postgraduate diplomas in your resume header or summary - this is the perfect space to spotlight your relevant MBA degree ;
• Showcase any relevant coursework , if you happen to have less professional experience and think this would support your case in being the best candidate for the role.

As far as your job-specific certificates are concerned - choose up to several of the most recent ones that match the job profile, and include them in a dedicated section.

We've saved you some time by selecting the most prominent industry certificates below.

The top 5 certifications for your senior software engineer resume:

• Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) - IEEE Computer Society
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)²
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - Scrum Alliance
• Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert - Microsoft

Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.

• How to List a Major & Minor on Your Resume (with Examples)

The senior software engineer resume summary or objective: integrating keywords, achievements, and more

Deciding whether to include a resume summary or an objective in your senior software engineer resume is crucial. Both serve as key introductory elements at the top of your resume, encapsulating your profile in up to five sentences and incorporating relevant keywords from the job advert.

Here are the key differences between the two:

• The resume summary focuses on aligning your achievements and experience with the job requirements. It provides recruiters with a snapshot of your expertise , helping you stand out as an ideal candidate for the role.
• The resume objective, on the other hand, centers on your career goals and aspirations , detailing how the role aligns with your career progression. It's particularly suitable for candidates with less professional experience or those new to the job market.

Below are examples demonstrating best practices in utilizing the resume summary and/or objective to make a strong first impression with your senior software engineer resume.

Resume summaries for a senior software engineer job

• With over 12 years of in-depth experience in full-stack development, I have mastered a diverse set of technologies including Python, JavaScript, and cloud services. My crowning achievement was leading the scalable redesign of a financial platform that processed over $1 billion in transactions, significantly enhancing its efficiency and security.
• Coming from a civil engineering background, I bring a unique perspective to software engineering after having successfully completed a coding boot camp. My robust problem-solving skills and proficiency in Java and C++ were pivotal in developing an open-source traffic simulation tool now used by urban planners in over 10 cities.
• With a decade's wealth of experience in cybersecurity, transitioning to a senior software engineering role is an exciting evolution. I bring a strong foundation in secure coding practices, expert-level knowledge in Python, C#, and a history of reducing system vulnerabilities by 30% annually for a national defense contractor.
• Entering the technology space from a career in healthcare, I possess a distinctive blend of analytical thinking and user-centric design principles. In under a year, I have gained proficiency in Python and Android development, which I applied to co-create an award-winning app for remote patient monitoring that improved patient engagement by 40%.
• As a fresh computer science graduate, my objective is to leverage my academic knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and my recent internship experience at a tech startup to contribute to large-scale software projects. My passion lies in coding seamless user experiences and optimizing system performance.
• Seeking to establish a foundation in software engineering, my objective is to apply the analytical skills honed during my mathematics degree and self-taught programming knowledge in Java and Swift. My ambition is to design innovative software solutions that simplify user interactions and enhance data processing capabilities.

Additional valuable senior software engineer resume sections to stand out

When assessing candidate applications, recruiters are often on the lookout for elements that go beyond meeting standard requirements and technical expertise.

This is where extra sections could play a key role in showcasing your unique skill set and personality.

Make sure to include sections dedicated to:

• How you spend your free time, outside of work. The interests resume section also goes to show your personality and transferrable skills; and may also serve to fill in gaps in your experience;
• Most innovative work. The projects resume section brings focus to what you're most proud of within the field;
• How you're able to overcome language barriers. The language resume section is always nice to have, especially if communication would be a big part of your future role;
• Industry-wide recognitions. Remember that the awards resume section should highlight your most noteworthy accolades and prizes.

Key takeaways

• The logic of your resume presentation should follow your career highlights and alignment with the role;
• Curate information within different sections (e.g. summary, experience, etc.) that helps highlight your strengths;
• Exclude from your resume irrelevant experience items - that way you'd ensure it stays no longer than two pages and is easy to read;
• Dedicate space within the summary, experience, and/or achievements to highlight precisely why you're the best candidate for the role via your previous success;
• Both your technical and people capabilities should also play a crucial role in building up your senior software engineer application. Prove your skill set in various resume sections.

Looking to build your own Senior Software Engineer resume?

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Software engineer job description, use this job description template when recruiting software engineers. learn what different kinds of software engineers do and what skills they need to succeed on the job..

What do software engineers do?

Software engineers are the backbone of any organization’s software development function. They are crucial to any business, for the software engineer is a professional who can build software in the most cost-saving and time efficient manner. They are also problem-solvers who can break down complex software projects into manageable and actionable tasks. With their wide range of expertise in various computer systems and programming languages, these engineers are flexible workers who can help your business build your own unique software.

In general, a software engineer is in-charge of overseeing the lifecycle of software development. First, they are responsible for designing, testing, maintaining, and evaluating software. This includes fixing any software issues that occur and providing recommendations to improve the product. Second, a software engineer has to communicate effectively with others during the development process. This involves integrating user needs and expertise from others into the software product. Finally, and most fundamentally, a software engineer is a technical position, and they are required to produce testable, efficient, and well-written code. Hence, the role of a software engineer largely revolves around being a good planner, a collaborator, and a proficient programmer.

Software Engineer Job Description Template

Role overview.

As our software engineer, you will gain continuous learning opportunities while developing software. For instance, you can take the lead by assisting the business in adapting to new technologies, challenge yourself to be innovative when designing systems, and learning to make risk assessments when developing software. There are also opportunities for interpersonal growth as you will be working with a team to create high quality products for our customers. As such, a good fit for this role is a software engineer who is not only technically competent, but also someone with soft skills. Thus, if you are a skilled communicator, a forward-looking individual, and a methodical problem-solver, you are the software engineer we are looking for!

Software Engineer Responsibilities

• You will be responsible for the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which includes designing, testing, and evaluating new software
• You will plan for the software development process, such as identifying the project size, cost, duration, and effort required
• You will be in-charge of maintaining software by debugging any errors and modifying the software to improve its performance
• You will collaborate with different departments and subject-matter experts to develop the desired software
• You will work with your team members to review their code and consult them on the best software development practices
• You will keep abreast of the latest trends and new technologies, and implement what is necessary for the organization
• You should ensure that proper SOPs are written to facilitate the ease of operating the software
• You should identify and analyze user requirements to meet their expectations when developing a software product
• You will be required to continually upgrade your technical skills such as picking up new coding styles or attending courses
• You will conduct feasibility studies, such as technical, operational, or economic feasibility, to measure the organizational benefits of a software
• You will illustrate and document software development processes via charts and diagrams (e.g. UML diagrams)
• You will engage in software testing to identify defects early in the development process and ensure quality assurance
• You will analyze user feedback and apply innovative solutions to the software’s user-facing features
• You will build software architecture via coding that involves algorithms, server-side languages, and programming frameworks
• You will be in-charge of software integration by merging multiple systems into a consolidated database

Software Engineer Requirements

Requirements:.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or any relevant field.
• Proven work experience related to software engineering or computing
• Possess technical knowledge of programming languages, frameworks, and database engines [to be specified by the employer, e.g. Java, C++, Python]
• Capable of problem solving to debug and troubleshoot software issues
• Proficient at writing efficient code using algorithms and data structures
• Able to systematically plan and visualize an overview of the software development processes
• Sensitive to user needs to produce software that meets user expectations
• Flexibility in adapting to new technologies and changing market trends
• Capable of being a good team player and receiving feedback from coworkers
• Able to take on steep learning curves, such as learning new programming languages quickly
• Ability to be organized and multitask in a fast-paced work environment
• Provide honest and open communication with various stakeholders to address problems promptly
• Adept at explaining complex technical concepts and processes in layman’s terms
• Possess excellent verbal communication to collaborate with other departments and clients
• Skilled at written communication to properly document software development procedures

Nice-to-have requirements:

• Master’s degree in software engineering or computer science
• Possessing in-depth knowledge for a wide range of programming languages

Requirements for different types of Software Engineers

The job requirements will vary depending on the type of software engineer you are looking to hire. Here are a few requirements of the three most common kinds of software engineers:

Full stack engineers:

• [Junior] 1-2 years of experience working as a software engineer or similar roles
• [Senior] 5+ years of experience with software engineering or similar roles
• Proficiency in multiple front end languages (e.g. Javascript, HTML5)
• Proficiency in multiple back end languages (e.g. Python, Java)
• Familiar with database and server technologies (e.g. MySQL, Apache)

Front end engineers:

• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or other relevant software
• Knowledge of version control software (e.g. Git)
• Possess good SEO knowledge

Back end engineers:

• Able to understand and practice best security structures
• Able to assess and implement suitable data storage solutions
• Work well with others, such as front end engineers and UX developers

What are the responsibilities of a software engineer?

• Oversee and plan the SDLC
• Maintain and improve software
• Collaborate within a team
• Keep up-to-date with new technologies
• Understand user needs
• Upgrade your technical skills
• Ensure software quality assurance
• Build software architecture
• Engage in software integration

What skills do you need to be a software engineer?

• Knowledge of computer architecture
• Interest and passion in programming
• Receptive to feedback
• Learn under pressure
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Creative and innovative
• Being a good team player
• Interpersonal communication skills
• Time management
• Willingness to learn

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