Best Back-End Developer Resume Example + Guide + Tips
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Being a back-end developer can be a highly rewarding and challenging career. It involves using programming languages, such as Java, Python and Ruby, to create applications or websites that run on a server. back-end developers create server-side applications that help store and manage data, enabling users to access data quickly and efficiently. They often use frameworks to help speed up the process of development and make it easier to deploy applications.
A great back-end developer resume isn’t difficult to make if you know what you need to make one. We’re here to help you! Learn how to write a back-end developer resume will help you make the most of your in-depth technical knowledge and planning abilities to stand out from the competition.
Start by editing this back-end developer resume template or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the best back-end developer resume template for you.
Back-end developer resume example (text version)
Laura Moody
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Talented backend developer adept at contributing to a highly collaborative work environment, finding solutions and determining customer satisfaction. Designed and developed web applications across multiple APIs, third-party integrations and databases. Passionate and hardworking with penchant for developing customized interfaces that factor in unique demands for accessibility, reachability and security.
Skills
- Java & PHP
- Web development cycle
- API integration
- UX improvement
- Technical analysis
- Project management
- Time management
- Communication
Work History
July 2018 – Current
SGA Inc. – Jersey City, NJ
Backend Developer
- Oversee back-end development using PHP to maintain website integrity, security and efficiency.
- Utilize such technologies as ASP.NET MVC, HTML5, JavaScript and SQL Server 2012 to develop new applications.
- Build databases and table structures following architecture methodology for web applications
- Create powerful Content Management Systems to serve as interface for client.
July 2015 – June 2018
Toptal – Elizabeth, NJ
Application Developer
- Wrote code for database-driven applications.
- Provided positive customer support training experience for 15 completed applications.
- Resolved system test and validation problems to provide normal program functioning.
September 2013 – June 2015
Toptal – Elizabeth, NJ
Application Development Associate
- Built web applications and software using HTML, CSS and JavaScript among others.
- Provided code maintenance and system upgrades to maximize performance.
- Established routine of planned tests to achieve software functionality, glitch elimination and update maintenance.
Education
May 2013
New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ
Bachelor of Science Computer Science
5 essentials of a top back-end developer resume
Contact details
Your contact information must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and professional website, add them last.
Check out our back-end developer resume examples for inspiration to write a great resume for a back-end developer job.
Personal statement
A professional summary is a three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you bring to the table. When writing your back-end developer resume summary, include job-relevant skills, professional achievements and awards, certifications and how long you’ve been in the field.
Here’s an example of a great back-end developer resume professional summary:
“Experienced back-end developer with a strong background in web development and software engineering. Possessing exceptional problem-solving and communication skills, adept at developing and maintaining high-quality software projects. Experienced in object-oriented programming and languages such as Python, Java, JavaScript, and PHP. Expertise in developing database systems and using SQL to query and manipulate data. Proven ability to work collaboratively and independently to deliver successful projects on time and within budget.”
Skills
A skills section is necessary on a back-end developer resume so that hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. Add only your job-relevant skills and format them in a bulleted list. As our resume example shows, it’s best to include both hard skills such as proficiency in API development and integration, and soft skills like teamwork and adaptability.
Work history
Whether this is your first job or your 15th year as a back-end developer, hiring managers expect to see where you have worked and what you achieved while there. That’s why you need an employment history section on your back-end developer resume. In reverse-chronological order, add your current and previous employers and provide locations and the dates you worked for them. Display your measurable achievements for every job in a bulleted list.
Here are some examples of back-end developer resume achievements:
- Designed and implemented a distributed system that processed over 1.5 million transactions per day with an average response time of under 100ms.
- Developed an API that cut time-to-market for new products by 50%.
- Developed a custom CMS that decreased website content update time by 75%.
Education
Your resume must include an education section, whether or not you have a degree. Include the name of the schools and the years that you graduated. If you did not finish or attend college, then list your high school information and the classes you’ve taken since graduating.
The educational requirements for a back-end developer vary depending on the job and the employer. Generally, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field is preferred.
Additionally, experience with programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, or PHP is usually required. Knowledge of databases such as MySQL or NoSQL is often essential for the job. Employers may also prefer applicants who have experience working with web frameworks and API development.
See why My Perfect Resume is a 5-star resume builder
Action words for a stand-out back-end developer resume
Use action words and numbers for compelling job descriptions.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for a back-end developer resume:
- Developed
- Designed
- Implemented
- Built
- Refactored
- Created
- Led
- Spearheaded
- Reported
- Delivered
- Supervised
- Systematized
- Analyzed
Need a great back-end developer resume fast? Our Resume Builder will help you create a professional resume in minutes! We’ll provide all the tools you need to fill in a template, edit your work, download your document and save it in one of several file formats. Plus, it’s free to use!
Top skills for a back-end developer resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
As a back-end developer, your skills might include:
- Programs like Python, SQL and Git
- Database development and maintenance
- Application programming interfaces
- Analytical thinking
- Math
- Attention to detail
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
Certifications for a back-end developer resum
Having a certificate for a back-end developer job is not necessary, but having at least one on your resume will make you shine in the eyes of hiring managers.
Here are a few of the certifications available for back-end developer job seekers:
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
- Microsoft Azure Compute for Developers
- Amazon Web Services Certified Developer
- Red Hat
- Oracle
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Back-end developer resume FAQ
1. What does a resume for a back-end developer look like?
There is no standard back-end developer resume template; you can use any of our resume templates and customize them for the job you want. Your resume must display your contact information, a mix of soft and hard skills, employment history, education and certifications, if applicable.
A back-end developer resume should include specific technical skills related to backend development, such as programming languages, databases, web servers, and frameworks. Additionally, experience in developing web applications, cloud computing, software architecture, and API integrations should be highlighted. Other key elements that should be included on a backend developer resume are project management experience, problem-solving skills, computer skills such as familiarity with coding standards and best practices, and the ability to work collaboratively with teams.
2. What is the right way to include keywords in a back-end developer resume?
Having the right keywords in your resume is vital, as more and more employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes based on keywords. Scour the job description, look for top skills that fit you and include them in your resume. For example, you could include “Database development” as a skill or write “Developed 10 databases in one month” in your job history.
Keywords you might include on your back-end developer resume include: Server-side, Database, SQL, Programming, Object-Oriented Design, Web Services, APIs, REST, Microservices, Cloud Computing, Linux, AWS, Azure, Networking, Security, Debugging, Agile, Scrum, Testing.
3. What is the right format for a back-end developer resume?
The resume format you use for a back-end developer resume depends on your experience and goals. If you have at least one year of work experience under your belt, go with a chronological resume format, which leans heavily on your work achievements. If you’re just out of school, use the functional resume format, which focuses on your industry-related skills and training. If you have more than ten years of professional work experience, the combination resume format is your best bet.
4. What does a backend developer resume need to stand out?
Back-end developers need to have strong problem-solving skills, as they must be able to solve complex issues efficiently. Additionally, they must have knowledge of databases and data structures, as well as experience with developing APIs.
Do’s and don’ts for building a back-end developer resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your back-end development abilities and experience. For example, “Achieved a 95% success rate in developing and deploying a series of complex back-end applications within a 6-month period.”
- Use action words like “develop” and “debug” to make an impact on your back-end developer resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target back-end developer job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your back-end developer resume.
- Format your back-end developer resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your back-end development experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best back-end developer ever.” Instead, emphasize job-related achievements such as “Successfully developed a back-end system that reduced the company’s response time to customer queries by 30%.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not pertaining to back-end development.
- Forget to proofread. A back-end developer resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing a back-end developer interview
Research the company.
Before the interview, learn about the company’s history, goals, values and people. Doing so conveys interest, passion and commitment — traits that can set you above the competition.
As a back-end developer, you might look for:
- A strong technical team and a well-defined development workflow.
- Does the company use the latest technologies and frameworks in their development process?
- A good track record of successful projects and a good reputation in the industry.
Practice before your interview.
Practice really does make perfect. To practice for your interview, start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
- What’s your proudest accomplishment?
- How do you approach a tough work assignment?
Also consider back-end developer-relevant questions a hiring manager might ask, such as
- What programming languages do you specialize in?
- How do you ensure scalability and reliability with your back-end code?
- What strategies do you use to debug back-end applications?
- How familiar are you with database management systems like MySQL, MongoDB, and PostgreSQL?
- How do you handle security and authentication with back-end applications?
- Have you ever used a framework like Ruby on Rails, Express.js, or Django?
- Describe your process for designing and developing a back-end application from scratch.
- How do you approach writing efficient and maintainable code?
- Do you have experience with version control systems like Git or SVN?
Write down two or three possible answers for each question, then ask a friend to practice them with you.
Ask questions.
Always have at least three questions ready for each person you speak with during your interview process. Doing so shows that you’re interested and that you’ve been paying close attention.
Some questions you might ask for a back-end developer job are:
- What challenges is the team currently facing with their back-end development?
- What technologies does the team use for back-end development?
- What is the team’s development process like?
- What security protocols do you have in place to protect the back-end of your applications?
- How will I be evaluated and what metrics will be used to measure my success?
- How does the team handle bug fixes and feature requests?
Prepare references.
Have professional references ready before you walk into your interview — you never know if the hiring manager might want to contact them right away. Ask a former manager and two former colleagues who can speak to about your performance and who you know will give you an excellent review.
CV examples for the next step in your web development career
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Sources
- Amazon Web Services. AWS Certified Developer—Associate
- Career Explore. What does a back-end developer do?
- Columbia Engineering. Blog. 9 Skills You Need to Become a Back End Developer
- Microsoft
- Microsoft Azure. Tools for Developers
- Oracle University
- RedHat. Training and Certification
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Backend Developer Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.