Software Developer Resume: Examples and Tips
A software developer is responsible for developing, designing, testing and installing software systems. Software developers write codes and deploy software tools, codes and metrics, while displaying logical thinking and knowledge of software tools and other programming languages. They are required to work closely with UX designers, business analysts and operation managers.
To make your software developer resume stand out, use our resume examples and tips to present your qualifications.
Table of Contents
Featured Resume Example: Software Developer
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Authoritative Lead Software Developer with many years heading up successful development teams through agile direction and careful delegation. Willing to direct large-scale teams or work hands-on to complete extremely difficult projects. Brings both cutting-edge programming expertise and exceptional interpersonal skills to leadership roles.
WORK HISTORY
- Analyzed requirements and designed, developed and implemented software applications for multiple websites.
- Designed, implemented and monitored web pages and sites for continuous improvement.
- Consulted with engineering team members to determine system loads and develop improvement plans.
- Reviewed requirements and specifications to understand software design standards.
- Wrote and optimized test cases to maximize success of manual software testing with consistent, thorough approaches.
- Debugged code and located root causes of problems by reviewing configuration files and logs.
- Sorted and organized materials such as physical files, tracking spreadsheets and reports.
- Answered incoming telephone calls, took down messages and provided information.
- Completed clerical tasks such as filing, copying and distributing mail.
SKILLS
- Data collection and analysis
- Troubleshooting and debugging
- Network development and administration
- Programming
- Product development
- Technical analysis
- Software development
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATION
- Can analyze a users’ needs and then design, test, and develop software to meet those needs
- Recommend software upgrades for customers’ existing programs and systems.
- Designs each piece of an application or system and plan how the pieces will work together.
- Creates a variety of models and diagrams that show programmers the software code needed for an application
EDUCATION
CERTIFICATIONS
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best in Class Software Developer Resume
- Summary Give a brief overview of your professional background and career, highlighting top skills, abilities and qualifications. Make a strong first impression by starting with a key adjective to describe yourself, such as “goal-oriented,” “analytical” or “self-motivated.” Your summary should be relevant to the job description and answer the question: Why are you the right person for the job?
- Skills Scan through the job description to single out skills that best suit the job at hand, match them with your own abilities, and include them here. Feature both technical and non-technical skills in your resume: Many candidates will list “network management,” “data analysis” and “software troubleshooting,” but you should also address the intangible qualities you bring to the job, such as “attention to detail” and “critical thinking.”
- Work history Don’t just list previous job roles; concentrate on your best accomplishments, and show how you’ve progressed in your career. Be specific and include phrases such as “designed and maintained websites for international clients” or “monitored operations of high-security networking systems.”
- Education Software developer roles usually require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology. Different jobs might also require coding and knowledge of different programming languages — include any certifications or additional training you’ve had that fit these requirements.
See Why My Perfect Resume is a 5-Star Resume Builder
Find the Right Template for Your Resume
Instead of wasting time searching for the right layout, make use of these professionally-designed templates, which you can customize to fit the job you’re applying for.
Original
This template draws attention to your skills by featuring them in the left column. The use of shaded colors makes the important sections pop.
Modern
This professional layout projects an image of efficiency, with a pop of color in the header to keep your name uppermost in a hiring manager’s mind.
Charismatic
This template has separate, dedicated sections for work history, skills and qualifications that present your credentials in clutter-free fashion.
Custom-build your resume using more free designs from our templates page.
Do’s and Don’ts for Creating Your Resume
- DO include soft skills Some of the most important skills required to succeed in a professional environment are intangible qualities like communication, teamwork and adaptability. A software developer needs to closely work with analysts, designers and clients; hence, soft skills are crucial to the job.
- DON’T experiment with an over-the-top resume format Don’t use wacky fonts, colors, and designs on your resume. Stick to a clean and neat format that looks professional. Put your effort into capturing an employer’s attention with the right details about your top skills and experience, rather than a flashy resume.
- DO customize your resume for each job Don’t use the same resume for all jobs, even if they’re in the same field. Tailor your resume to each job application by incorporating specific keywords and phrases from the job description. For example, a software developer applying for a job in the sports industry should use phrases like “knowledge of table and point systems algorithms” to show hiring managers that you understand the position, and have the right capabilities.
- DON’T write an overlong resume Employers will read a ton of applications for a single job, and won’t have the time to thoroughly read each resume. To make the most impact on a short attention span, keep your resume short, concise and to-the-point. Don’t include unnecessary details that aren’t relevant to the job at hand. Stick to a single page resume format to make it easy-to-read and scannable.
- DO proofread before submission Always proof your document before submission and check for typing, spelling and grammatical errors. You can also consider using a reliable friend/colleague to vet your resume, as a fresh pair of eyes can spot missed errors. Proofreading is also a good practice as it is a chance to review the information you have included in your resume and check whether you have used the correct phrases and keywords.
- DON’T include references Including references on your resume is a thing of the past. Use the space to delve into your skills and achievements, which is more useful knowledge for an employer. If hiring managers want to know more about your work, they’ll contact you directly for references.
Software Developer Resume FAQs
- 1. What are the key skills you should mention for a software developer job role?
- 2. What are some examples of training and certifications that fit a software developer’s resume?
- 3. How do you incorporate keywords in the resume?
- 4. How should you craft your resume if you’re looking to take the next step forward in your career?
- 5. How should you format a software developer’s resume?
1. What are the key skills you should mention for a software developer job role?
Consider emphasizing these skills:
| Technical skills: | Soft skills: |
| Health promotion and maintenance | Persuasive |
| Expert coordination and management skills | Excellent written and verbal communication |
| Adept with document filing system | Excels in building relationships |
| Knowledge of basic Computer Applications | Good listener |
| Expert in scheduling appointments | Team player |
| Proficient in answering multi-line phone calls | |
| Maintaining appointments |
| Technical skills: |
| Health promotion and maintenance |
| Expert coordination and management skills |
| Adept with document filing system |
| Knowledge of basic Computer Applications |
| Expert in scheduling appointments |
| Proficient in answering multi-line phone calls |
| Maintaining appointments |
| Soft skills: |
| Persuasive |
| Excellent written and verbal communication |
| Excels in building relationships |
| Good listener |
| Team player |
2. What are some examples of training and certifications that fit a software developer’s resume?
- The IEEE Computer Society offers the Professional Software Developer (PSD) Certification that tests the candidate’s knowledge of software engineering requirements, design, construction and testing.
- The C++ Institute offers programs advancing in difficulty, from associate to professional and senior.
- Developers can also attend coding boot camps which typically last between 8 to 12 weeks. The curriculum focuses on the core principles of software engineering, programming languages, and modern approaches to software development.
3. How do you incorporate keywords in the resume?
Both human recruiters and application tracking systems (ATS) will review your resume for certain keywords related to skills, qualifications and/or certifications and degrees. When composing your resume, find these keywords from the job description, in the form of important qualifications and abilities such as “proficiency in testing codes,” “technical support system,” “and technical analysis,” “multitasking,” “flexible” and “ability to code for long hours.” You can also use industry-specific keywords that are suitable for a particular job role. Keywords need to be seamlessly integrated to avoid any redundancy.
4. How should you craft your resume if you’re looking to take the next step forward in your career?
- Look for opportunities to expand your skills in specific areas, such as Java, XML or SQL.
- Pursue a specialization, such as Web development, mobile development or DevOps.
- Join a developer group, attend conferences or find other ways to stay updated about the latest technology developments. Conferences and groups are also great places for networking and learning new business practices.
5. How should you format a software developer’s resume?
A software developer position places great emphasis on experience, so look into using the chronological format, which focuses on your previous work history and successes. Keep your work history to within the past 10 years. If you have less experience, use a functional format, which lays more emphasis on your professional skills.
Pair your Resume With a Cover Letter
