Software development is one of the fastest growing fields in the modern, technology-driven world. As a result, competition for jobs as a software developer is fierce and you need to do everything possible to make sure that your resume is selected when you apply for a job. Lucky for you we know exactly what you need to do. So, check out this guide for a software developer resume.
We’ll speak about;
- A template for a software developer resume
- The best format for your resume
- How to include your contact details
- How to create a profile
- How to add your work experience
- How to highlight your education
- How to showcase your skills and
- What additional sections to add.
But wait! If you don’t want to do all of that, go to our resume builder and have us create the perfect resume for you.
A template for a software developer resume
The best format for your resume
You should always choose the best format that suits your skills and talents. There are three main formats for you to choose from; the reverse-chronological, the skills-based and the combined. For more information, check our article on the best resume formats. Most HR and hiring managers expect the reverse chronological format as that is the most common but you can always use the other formats as well. All that matters is that your resume is neat and is easy to read.
How to include your contact details
Your contact details are an important aspect of your resume. You need to have contact details on the top of the page in a very clear manner, so they are readily available if the company wants to get in touch with you. They are;
- Your name
- Designation I.e., software developer
- Email address
- Mailing address (City and state should be sufficient)
- Telephone number
- Link to a professional profile such as LInkedIn (optional)
How to create a profile
A profile is either your resume summary or resume objective. If you are a fresher, a resume objective that states your plans for your career for the next five years is a good way to go. If you are an experienced developer, you should talk about your career progression and your future ambitions. This should be a brief two or three sentences as you don’t want to bore the hiring manager.
You can use action verbs/ keywords in order to boost the strength of this section.
How to add your work experience
Your work experience is an important part of the hiring manager's decision of whether to select you for an interview or not. It needs to be very strong, so you need to make sure the following details are mentioned on your resume;
- Your designation
- The organization
- The address of the company (city/state)
- The period that you worked in month/year format e.g., month/year begun - month/year finished
- Key achievements or major job roles in bullet format
How to highlight your education
Your education is a big part of your career as it shows how you learnt the technical skills that you need for the job. If you are a fresher, include both high school and college but if you have achieved higher educational attainments, start this section from college. Similar to your work experience, there is a prescribed format to describe your education. It is,
- Name of the qualification
- Awarding institution and address
- Years studied
How to showcase your skills
Your skills are an important part of selecting you for a job. Mention a mix of hard and soft skills but include technical skills such as what programming languages you know to the list. Avoid buzzwords that negatively impact your resume.
Check that your resume has no buzzwords through our buzzword checker.
What additional sections to add
There is a little extra space on your resume, and you need to figure out what to add. Well, you’re in luck because there are many options to choose from. You can share what awards and certifications you have that are relevant to your field or add the languages you speak and your level of competency or even about your hobbies and interests for a little personal touch. Just remember to keep it professional.
See other IT-related job resume formats at our resume samples page or find out more about resumes in our career guides’ blog.