Software Developer Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

Are you struggling to find a software developer position? You’ve applied to dozens of jobs but can’t seem to get a call back.

The good news is that you’re not the only one. The bad news is that It might be your resume.

In the competitive software engineer field, you need to stand out and give hiring teams exactly what they want.

Not sure how to do that? Don’t worry!

We’ve got everything you need to give your resume a facelift and turn out something that will grab a hiring manager’s attention!

Software Developer Job Description

Software is the pulse of the IT industry.

Sophisticated programs and applications run with the help of software.

So the worth of a software developer is quite significant upon the companies.

Though most professionals would shun software developer resume as a mundane topic, but it is very pertinent to the career goals of professionals.

Most recruiters have grown bored viewing through hoards of misrepresented resumes.

There are hardly many relevant resumes.

Sub-standard resumes are not made by low grades, but by loopholes in information.

Knowing complex languages is not the only requirement to land a job with a leading company.

An ideal software developer resume is of two pages in length and within this short space it has to convey all the important information.

How to Write Software Developer Resume Objectives

There are minor differences between software developer and software engineer resumes.

A software developer is often hired to minimize the management issues within an organization.

Suppose an organization is having problems maintaining their payroll, they will ask you to develop software that calculates and shows the payroll calculations accurately.

The large IT companies also employ the software developers to develop such software programs customized for their clients.

As you can understand there are varying needs from a software developer.

Your objectives section has to justify: why you are the best candidate for the vacancy.

It is important that you understand the scope of job opening.

The objectives section in your resume will send a loud and clear message that you have a goal of becoming one of the best software developers around.

You should show your passion and levels of expertise within the objective sentence.

Some Sample Software Developer Resume Objectives

• Looking for the position of a software developer where my creative thinking and excellent skills in application development using modern development tools will be utilized for the betterment of the company.
• Seeking the position of a software developer to put into use expertise in planning, testing and coding to provide state of the art software solutions to clients as par their requirements.
• A position of software developer utilizing my skills in customized software development based on varying client demands.
• Seeking to pursue a successful career in software development by offering skills in object oriented languages to develop superior software applications and other core systems.
• As a software developer I want to meet the specific needs of the clients and enhance the reputation of the company.

How to Write Software Developer Resume Skills

Some professionals are of the opinion that skills section in a software developer resume is just a mere waste of space.

However, this is not a right notion to carry.

You may mention some of the skills in your employment history but you will not have room for all of them.

The skills section in the first page of your software developer resume gives a glance to the recruiters what you are all about.

Skill sets are very important criteria to capture the attention of the recruiters.

There are basically three types of software developers – Software developers and user application specialists, computer programmers and Systems Software developers.

As a part of the job role you might have to perform various tasks such as designing software, installation, programming, configuration, specification, customization, requirement analysis, feasibility analysis, testing and maintenance.

Skills should be given prominence as per the job description.

Some skills that may be included in a software developer resume are mentioned below:

• Vast knowledge of developing and implementing applications based on client’s needs.
• Experience in handling popular web languages/scripts such as HTML, CSS, 3d and JavaScript.
• Good knowledge in Xcode and Android development.
• Experienced in working on Unix systems and developing databases.
• Excellent in troubleshooting skills with an ability to engineer well researched, responsive solutions after analyzing codes.
• Having knowledge of processes and tools to design state of the art software solutions.

There should be a section where your skills with programming languages should be mentioned.

Software Developer Resume Examples

Writing a resume takes time and practice—both of which you may not have.

Software developer resumes are typically subject to high scrutiny, and employers look for industry-specific skills and keywords like cloud computing, data structure, and more.

You can use the following resume examples to expedite the process and optimize your resume without investing too much time and money.

Software Developer Resume Example

ADAM JONES

XX Church Avenue, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54903
[email protected], (012) 345-6789

OBJECTIVE

Looking for the position of a software developer where my creative thinking and excellent skills in application development using modern development tools will be utilized for the betterment of the company.

SKILLS

• Vast knowledge of developing and implementing applications based on client’s needs.
• Experience in handling popular developmental software such as HTML, CSS, 3d and JavaScript.
• Good knowledge in Xcode and Android development.
• Experienced in working on Unix systems and developing databases.
• Excellent in troubleshooting skills with an ability to engineer well researched, responsive solutions after analyzing codes.
• Having knowledge of processes and tools to design state of the art software solutions.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

JavaScript, .Net, MySQL, Java, HTML, XML, J2EE, REST, SOA, SOAP, Eclipse, Visual Studio, MS SQL Server, JUnit, C, C++, Spring Framework, Maven, JDeveloper, IIS, etc.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Working successfully on the organization’s first embedded systems project and providing outputs within the deadline.
• Developed a calculator type application for Tablets and Android phones.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Organic Valley – La Farge, Wisconsin
(2010-Present)

Senior Software Developer

• Gathered the preliminary information from clients and decided the architecture of custom applications.
• Created and later implemented custom applications meeting the client’s needs.
• Involved in entirety of software development life-cycle from designing, coding to debugging and testing.
• Reacted to the changing needs of customers.
• Analyzed risks and reliability of particular applications.

Fiserv Inc. – Brookfield, Wisconsin
(2007-2010)

Junior Software Developer

• Provided support to the design and development of applications.
• Resolved technological issues for assigned projects leading to highest customer satisfaction ratings for the company.
• Was associated with development of an application that was eventually used by more 5 million users.

EDUCATION

Masters in Computer Sciences from Hayward University

DATE:

_____________________
Signature of Adam Jones

Download Software Developer Resume Sample

Download Software Developer Resume Template

The employment history should have a synopsis of the key projects and what you have achieved with them.

If you have taken any special course mention that in your software developer resume so that you can negotiate a higher salary.

The best way to get hired with a higher salary is submitting the perfect resume.

Entry-Level Software Developer Resume Example

The job market is friendly towards entry-level software developers. Unlike many other professions, software development prioritizes skills over experience to land a great job, provided you can perform—and have a resume showcasing your talents.

Work Experience 1: Facebook Internship

• Job Description: Assisted the software engineering team at Facebook in developing software products for the company and improving algorithms.
• Outcomes: Improved sales by 16% and collaborated in reducing bugs by 7%.
• Additional Competencies: Participated in code reviews with the team, obtained and applied feedback, tested and improved applications, ensured ticketing of technical issues, and presented software development findings to other departments.
• Others: Assisted with office and managerial tasks, including writing memos, copying, organizing, data entry, and more.

Work Experience 2: Computer Science Tutor

• Job Description: Served as a tutor for the Computer Science department at my university for three years, working with over 100 students.
• Outcomes: Students reached 90% mastery, and the average GPA for the computer science department improved by 8%. I received 47/5 stars on my evaluations and created a curriculum for the tutoring team.
• Additional Competencies: Provided feedback on assignments and retaught complex concepts, planned and executed lessons, managed discussions, conducted office hours, and more.
• Others: Planned and managed six major open house events for prospective majors and conducted presentations on the computer science department.

Project Experience

• Ticketing Software Design: Designed a software system for ticketing to empower engineers to report bugs and issues more efficiently.
• Clean API Design: Worked with a team of interns to design a clean API system that offers improved flexibility for partners.
• Senior Capstone Project: Created, launched, and managed an e-commerce store to demonstrate the importance of efficient payment portals and earned honors.

Skills

• Programming Languages (JavaScript, Python, C++, Java)
• Frameworks (React, NodeJS, Scrum)
• Organization & Methodology
• Efficiency
• Collaboration & Leadership

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: I obtained my bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and graduated with a 3.89 GPA.
• Minor in Information Technology: Obtained a minor in IT with a 4.0 GPA.
• High School Diploma: Graduated from Baltimore High School with a GPA of 3.8; captain of the track & field team and debate club.

Licenses & Accreditations

• AWS-Certified Solutions Architect (2020)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)

Why This Resume Works

Entry-level software developers typically need more formal experience and may not be able to rely as heavily on testimonials and references as other applicants.

For this reason, they should emphasize their concrete skills, certifications, and formal education.

This applicant references hard and soft skills, leveraging programming languages and frameworks to highlight their software development knowledge.

They also cited several certifications, which help to compensate for needing more experience.

The applicant divided their educational experience according to the field of study, which can help fill out a resume.

For example, they listed their major and minor studies separately.

You should do this only if your resume is sparse, and remember to keep it to one sheet of paper (or two pages).

This writer also chose to highlight several passion projects and academic achievements.

If you don’t have as much formal experience as the next applicant, you can instead discuss your achievements in school or independent work.

This works to demonstrate your interest in the field and commitment to progress.

Lastly, consider obtaining as many certifications as possible to fill out a sparse resume since there is no such thing as having too many skills.

Junior Software Developer Resume Example

A junior software developer typically has under five years of experience, but can showcase relevant work as an assistant who helped with writing, maintaining, and updating code for software programs.

Work Experience 1: Software Developer

• Job Description: Collaborated with other front-end developers on app design and management, marketing, and sales initiatives.
• Outcomes: Created a web app MVP for the platform with over 15,000 members, contributed reusable components to the in-house interface library that saved 100+ hours of development per month, and  improved customer conversion rates by 17%
• Additional Competencies: Attended team-building and leadership workshops.
• Others: Worked as a liaison with the marketing department to create and launch better advertisements, boosting revenue by 9%

Work Experience 2: Amazon Internship

• Job Description: As a help-desk analyst at Amazon, diagnosing & resolving technical issues.
• Outcomes: Diagnosed 30+ issues each day, resolved 93% of software and hardware issues by phone, contributing to efficiency growth of 21% over six months, and created user accounts for over 50 clients each week.
• Additional Competencies: Created and updated documentation, filed reports as needed, and worked collaboratively with other interns to improve existing methodologies.
• Others: Completed data entry and implemented a new data organization system for the help desk team.

Project Experience

• Meditation App: Created, launched, and promoted a meditation app for students, garnering over 5,000 monthly users.
• Capstone Thesis: Completed a senior honors thesis on the intersection between front-end development and marketing interests.
• Freelance Software Consulting: Worked as a freelance consultant to help entrepreneurs identify systemic issues in their software.

Skills

• Languages: JavaScript, HTML, Bootstrap, jQuery
• Agile & Scrum Methodologies
• Identifying and resolving coding mistakes
• Identifying and resolving operational inefficiencies
• Organization and Leadership

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Graduated with a 3.98 GPA from the University of Colorado and completed a thesis on front-end development as a marketing strategy.
• Bachelor of Science in Marketing: Obtained a dual degree from the University of Colorado (GPA 3.78).
• High School Diploma: Graduated from Denver High School with a GPA of 4.0 and was class valedictorian.

Licenses & Accreditations

• Cloud Security Certification
• AWS Certified Developer
• PMI Project Management Certification
• Scrum Master

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because it demonstrates the candidate’s past work experience, including an impressive internship.

Like the above applicant, this candidate highlights the programming languages they know under the “skills” section and leverages their certifications to enhance the resume.

One thing that would make this resume stand out a bit more is to offer a willingness to obtain additional certifications.

This application also provides quantifiable data to support their claims of efficiency and problem-solving skills.

Any prospective employer can visualize their competencies, increasing the likelihood that they will get the job.

You should provide as much tangible evidence as possible to bolster your application—especially if you aspire to occupy a senior position.

Lastly, consider your independent work and passion projects and think of how you can leverage these to enhance your resume.

For example, the above applicant references their work as a consultant.

You can list consulting if you’ve ever advised or assisted someone with a project in exchange for financial compensation.

Spend some time spinning your projects and side gigs into full-fledged work experiences.

Senior Software Developer Resume Example

Senior software developers occupy the most prominent positions within software development teams.

They typically conduct more creative work and provide executive direction to the rest of the group.

You can apply to work as a senior software developer once you have significant experience in the field.

Work Experience 1: Senior Software Developer

• Job Description: Built and maintained an e-commerce application for a clothing company and co-directed a team of ten developers focusing on front-end development.
• Outcomes: Scaled the app to two million daily users, decreased bugs by 30% and improved debugging time by 62%, improved payment protection by 15%
• Additional Competencies: Mentored three team members, co-directed the team, and conducted daily check-in meetings and weekly department presentations.
• Others: Oversaw an independent team to write scalable code for the e-commerce platform, improving payment protection.

Work Experience 2: Software Developer

• Job Description: Developed cloud-based technologies with Java and C++ for large corporations and multinationals.
• Outcomes: Improved content distribution by 50% or more and increased productivity by 35%. I have worked with over 250 clients.
• Additional Competencies: Manipulating algorithms to improve automation for marketing, sales and solutions, and more. Mentor junior developers.
• Others: Led interns to draft documentation for designs and specs and teamed up with other departments to improve efficiency across the company.

Project Experience

• Price Comparison App: Built and sold an app that offers quick price comparisons for retail items across different stores.
• Science & Technology Columnist: Wrote a sci-tech column for a local newspaper, analyzing the current market and emergent technologies.
• Freelance Technical Writing: Worked as a freelance technical writer for over 250 software companies, creating comprehensive product guides and instructions.

Skills

• Technical Writing
• Programming Languages (C++, Python)
• Databases: SQL, AWS
• Leadership and Collaboration
• Creativity and Critical Thinking

Education

• Masters in Software Engineering: Obtained a master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA from MIT. She studied mobile app development for Fortune 500 companies.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Graduated with a 4.0 from Georgia Tech University, collaborated on a thesis project on the app interface.
• Minor in Technical Writing: Obtained a minor with a 3.89 GPA and acted as a technical writing tutor.

Licenses & Accreditations

• AWS Certified Developer
• Springboard Software Developer
• Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Why This Resume Works

This resume offers an excellent snapshot of a senior software developer’s career by showcasing top skills and work experience in a succinct manner.

It’s impossible to share everything a senior developer has accomplished throughout their career, but it draws attention to the most important things.

They weave a narrative between each to create a logical career progression.

This writer also emphasizes their interest in technical writing throughout their career, and they leveraged this skill across each of their positions.

Even if you work many different jobs, you can maintain consistent projects to demonstrate your interests and values.

This can help you appeal to employers who can better utilize your unique competencies.

Like this writer, you can highlight your positions in other fields if they support your overarching aim.

For example, this writer worked part-time as a columnist, enhancing their credibility as a software expert—even though it isn’t directly related to the field.

You can find creative ways of expressing your many projects and endeavors to boost your resume further, giving you a competitive edge over other applicants.

Software Developer Intern Resume Example

If you’re trying to break into the field of software development, you should consider seeking internship opportunities.

While most internships are unpaid, some offer pay.

Furthermore, an internship highlights your commitment to the field and signals to future employers that you have the skills and experience needed for a more advanced position.

If you plan to apply for work as a software developer intern, read the resume example below.

Work Experience 1: Software Developer Intern

• Job Description: Served a team of software developers in improving a software system for medical identification, using python and Neo4j to create visual representations of data and present issues.
• Outcomes: Reduced frequency of bugs by 34%, created over 400 visual data representations, and improved efficiency by 20%.
• Additional Competencies: Managed the team of interns and mentored new participants in the internship program.
• Others: Used Jira to manage tasks assigned to the internship team, maintained monitoring tools, debugged and modified code, and contributed to feature improvements.

Work Experience 2: IT HelpDesk Manager

• Job Description: Served as a technician and manager for the IT HelpDesk at my college, aiding teachers and students in troubleshooting software and devices.
• Outcomes: Increased HelpDesk traffic by 45%, managed a team of 12 employees, and reduced inefficiencies by 25%.
• Additional Competencies: Gained experience in Windows and OSX, learned Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Others: Planned and coordinated three major recruiting events and five outreach events for the community, including workshops and fundraisers.

Project Experience

• Hack Day Competition: Collaborated with three other students in a two-week hack day project focusing on security issues in subscription-based apps.
• Software Engineering BootCamp: Participated in a month-long software engineering boot camp with a local non-profit organization. I learned new programming languages and mentored other students.
• Software Design Consulting: Provided my university with software design and improvement consulting services and assisted other students in software development projects.

Skills

• Initiative and Leadership
• Identifying and Repairing Bugs and Coding Errors
• Efficiency and Improvement
• Collaboration and Team-Building
• Technical Skills (hardware and software) & Programming Languages

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering: Obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Johns Hopkins with a 4.0 GPA.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Obtained a dual degree in computer science with a 3.78 GPA and wrote a thesis on ethical hacking.
• Master of Science in Computer Engineering: Currently participating in a master’s program for computer engineers focusing on ethical hacking.

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Ethical Hacker
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• SECO Ethical Hacking Practitioner

Why This Resume Works

This resume is a high-level example of a software developer intern resume.

Although the applicant needs more formal experience in the field, they demonstrate an interest in information technology and computer science.

The applicant has pursued an education in computer science, and their dual degree is a testament to their diligence and effort.

They have also pursued several certifications, which help to enhance an entry-level resume.

The credentials all pertain to their area of interest, which appears to be hacking.

If you can demonstrate a particular interest in or commitment to a specialty, you are more likely to attract your prospective employer’s attention.

This writer also needs to gain experience with creative projects, so they listed their participation in contests, competitions, and boot camps under this section.

You can get creative with the items you choose to include under “projects,” so consider as many of your experiences as possible when crafting this section of your resume.

Creative Software Developer Resume Example

The field of software development was once limited to coding experts, leaving user interface and web design to professional designers.

However, there is a growing demand for creative software developers: professionals who can leverage design and development capabilities to create apps, websites, or software.

If you’re contemplating becoming a creative software developer, you can use the example below to write a resume that lands you the job you want.

Work Experience 1: Software Developer

• Job Description: Developed, tested, debugged, and documented over 40 software applications for 30+ firms.
• Outcomes: Improved software efficiency by 40%, contributed to 100% improvement and deployment within an agile scrum team, and developed 23 software application solutions for clients.
• Additional Competencies: Used established coding practices and methodologies, mentored three junior developers on best practices, and implemented a mentorship program for the firm.
• Others: Documented software changes and implemented a new data management system.

Work Experience 2: Developer & Designer

• Job Description: Designed a mobile app to help users find small streamers on Twitch, facilitated migration to the new app, and managed app development and adjustments.
• Outcomes: Connected over 3,000 users to streamers, developed 100% RESTful API to control user functions, and created a mobile responsiveness UI with CSS grids.
• Additional Competencies: Integrating Twitch API data with CSS grids to facilitate gameplay and designing a front and back-end protocol to improve efficiency.
• Others: Managed a team of three designers and developers, led weekly meetings, and presented across departments.

Project Experience

• Independent Streaming Highlighter: Provided mobile-first app design for independent streamers, adding features and removing bugs from separate apps.
• Hospitality Highlighter: Created an application to implement efficiency protocol in hospitality, including altering staff to service needs.
• Freelance Software Engineer: Provided cross-browser testing and remediation for independent clients as a contractor.

Skills

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React.js, TypeScript
• Testing and Fixes
• Debugging
• Front-End Design
• Leadership, Collaboration.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Obtained a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University with a 3.91 GPA.
• Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design: Obtained a dual degree in graphic design with a GPA of 3.68.
• Minor in Information Technology: Obtained a minor in IT with a GPA of 4.0.

Licenses & Accreditations

• AWS Certified Developer
• Scrum Master
• Six Sigma Black Belt

Why This Resume Works

If you are looking to apply for a position as a creative software developer, you must emphasize your design and development skills.

To that end, you should strike a balance between resume items about your development experience and those covering your design capabilities.

Like this writer, you can delve more deeply into projects you’ve undertaken at work or on your own.

You can also list design and development skills to balance your application.

This author also has various concrete skills, degrees, and certifications in design and development.

If you want to work as a creative software developer, you may accrue as many certifications and licenses as possible to highlight your skills.

Any creative software developer must have experience working with others since they often collaborate across teams and departments.

You can emphasize your collaborative skills by detailing particular projects you’ve worked on and groups you’ve worked with.

Lastly, you can take on freelance projects to bolster your application.

This should be easy with the number of freelance platforms available.

Common Skills & Action Verbs to Include on a Software Developer Resume

Most employers use resume-screening software or services to check resumes for essential keywords related to your skills.

The following includes a list of the most influential hard and soft skills and the action verbs you need to boost your resume.

Common Skills for Software Developer Resumes

• Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, C++, etc.)
• Programming software/platforms
• Methodologies and Frameworks (Scrum, NodeJS, etc.)
• Organized & Methodical
• Communication
• Collaborative Skills
• Flexibility
• Creativity
• Critical Thinking Questions
• Problem-Solving
• Intrinsic Motivation
• Emotional Intelligence
• Time Management
• Patience
• Constructive Criticism/Feedback
• Empathy

Common Action Verbs for Software Developer Resumes

• To conceptualize
• To create
• To engineer
• To spearhead
• To predict
• To reduce
• To launch
• To design
• To conduct
• To lead
• To promote
• To administer
• To implement
• To sequence
• To decipher
• To identify
• To collaborate
• To serve
• To assist

Tips for Writing a Better Software Developer Resume

Writing a good resume requires practice, but you can expedite the process by reviewing a few of the industry’s best practices below.

Include Soft and Hard Skills

Software developers require a range of technical skills to execute their jobs.

You’ll need to include skills on your application highlighting your ability to perform.

Consider including programming languages, platforms, programs, and software applications you are familiar with to enhance your application.

Conversely, you’ll need to provide evidence of your soft skills.

Consider including specific examples to support your claims related to soft skills since most employers are looking for concrete proof of your capabilities.

Provide Concrete Evidence of Your Skills

Nowadays, claiming skills isn’t enough.

Your prospective employers seek tangible (and quantifiable) evidence of your ability to perform well.

Like the above applications, you can state your achievements in numbers or statistics.

You can also include references and testimonials in your application.

Keep Learning

The software development industry is constantly changing.

You must evolve and learn new skills to adapt to the changing market.

Consider obtaining as many certifications and licenses as possible, and continue exploring resources and news related to your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on software developer resume writing, consider the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.  

Similar Resume Types to Reference

If you enjoyed this article, consider exploring our other guides to similar resume types. The following includes some of our most popular articles.

• Software Engineer Resume: Software engineers typically work on large-scale projects to test entire systems. You can learn more about becoming a software engineer by reading this article.
• Computer Science Resume: If you’re interested in working in computer science, consider using this guide to write your resume.
• IT Resume: IT professionals provide companies and individuals with e-hardware solutions and computer management services. If you want to find a job in IT, use our guide to the best resume samples.

Wrapping Up

Software developers are essential in an increasingly digitized society and will likely remain in high demand.

If you want to become a software developer, you can use the resume samples from this guide to inform your job application.

Feel free to comment with your thoughts on this article. If you enjoyed it, consider sending it to others needing resume-writing tips.

Best of luck with your job search!